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DONE WITH eBay
Summary: me-wet expressed frustration with eBay after a listing was removed for allegedly attempting to sell outside the platform. They felt the removal was automatic and unjust, especially since no attempt to bypass eBay was intended. eastlaneave offered detailed advice on revising the listing and mentioned potential reasons it might have been flagged. Although me-wet understood the reason behind the flag, they were disappointed with the lack of recourse and support from eBay. eastlaneave reassured them and offered further assistance.
I'm done with eBay. After more than 25 years of buying and selling on this site, I'm fed up with it's lack of accountability. They charge top tier fees while incrementally reducing the quality of service. As a buyer, the ability to search a specific item without being spammed 10000 unrelated items is getting harder and harder. As a seller, I spent a significant amount of time this morning creating a post which was immediately ended without the ability to revise or access the information I spent time accumulating for accuracy. I pride myself on customer service, with 100% feedback and attempt to fix any issues a customer may have. This is not the case with eBay. This listing, specifically, was flagged for 'attempting to sell outside of eBay'. Nowhere in the listing is a suggestion to conduct business outside of eBay, nor is there any ability contact me outside of eBay provided to the potential buyer. The only thing I can imagine triggered this response from eBay is the inclusion of a link to an installation instructions pdf provided by the original manufacturer of the product I'm selling as NOS. I understand, now, how this might raise a flag. However, to remove the post and flag my account without looking into it or allowing a response or appeal is basically eBay's way of demonstrating it's lack of customer service. I have lost the time it took me to create a thoughtful listing plus the time to attempt to retrieve the information I gathered after eBay had decided to remove it. Yes, eBay is a household name and that will likely carry it into the future for a while. However, Sears and Toys R us were also household names. I guess the only reason I'm writing this is the hope that eBay will look back on what created it's success and make some attempt at returning to that format. Actually, the main reason is to vent, because I'm pissed.
Rant over
eastlaneave
Mentor3 weeks ago@me-wet
You should be able to remove the URL and either relist or sell similar.
eBay doesn't allow off-site links, even if they are reference material.
Your listing may be here https://www.ebay.com/sh/lst/active/contact-info?
Here are things to look for and edit to solve this:
1) Does your description mention "PayPal" if so, remove that.
2) Do you have a website URL, an email address, or a phone number in the description, the item specifics, or in the photos?
If so, remove those.
3) A series of 7 or 10 numbers that looks like a phone number?
4) An @ sign in the description?
5) A misplaced period example fitbit.ly lets go.to the mall
6) The word PO Box, Street, Avenue, or other things that could be part of an address, like a City and State?
7) If you copied and pasted the description, there can be a URL hidden in the text. I can explain how to remove that if needed.
Here are the policies that apply
https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/prohibited-restricted-items/personal-information-policy?id=4297
https://www.ebay.com/help/member-behavior-policies/policies/contact-information-sharing-policy?id=4373
me-wet
OP3 weeks agoThanks for the reply. I was upset primarily because I'd taken quite a bit of time to create the listing and, as far as I can tell, it was automatically removed. The email sent to notify me of the 'infraction' had a link to review the listing. Although there were options to start appeal, end or revise listing, they are all grayed out, unclickable. I now understand how the info that I included could be construed as a violation, however, being unable to review and correct the listing is incredibly frustrating. This was my first time running into this sort of thing and, after 25 years of using the site, I was disappointed in the automatic and irrevocable response I received.
Again, thanks for your time.
eastlaneave
Mentor3 weeks ago@me-wet
I understand the frustration.
Other members have been able to revise listings with this policy message, try on the website.
Let use know if you need more help.
me-wet
OP3 weeks agoThe screen that came up through the link that you provided led me to the 'inactive listings' link. I found my original listing there. Although it is closed and not editable, I can copy and past all the info minus the problematic stuff and try this again.
Thanks again for your time.
stuff4divas
Mentor3 weeks agook, did not read your entire post bc of no paragraphs, but if you leave, good luck in whatever u pursue