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writing to formally raise a serious concern regarding the visibility of my listings
Summary: factorywarehousecloseouts is experiencing issues with their eBay listings not appearing in search results, despite following best practices for listing titles and categories. They express frustration with eBay's search algorithm and have noticed a broader pattern affecting other sellers as well. mr_lincoln and jacbarcollectibles provide insights on eBay's search customization and the impact of Google on item visibility, with mr_lincoln also sharing similar experiences of reduced visibility and decreased sales since changes in eBay's algorithm and policies. A formal notice from factorywarehousecloseouts threatens legal action against eBay over disputed performance violations and account restrictions, seeking immediate resolution and a response within 24 hours.
writiDear eBay support. I am writing to formally raise a serious concern regarding the visibility of my listings. For roughly the past two years, my items have been consistently buried in search results even though I follow best practices and include complete, accurate titles and details. This is directly impacting my business and sales. I don't want a boilerplate response about promoted listings or pay per click. I understand promoted placements exist, but basic search visibility should not be effectively paywalled. My listings are not merely underperforming, they are functionally invisible despite being properly titled and categorized. In some cases, even exact title searches fail to surface my items. I need a transparent explanation of why this is happening and concrete steps to correct it. If this cannot be resolved promptly, I will need to reconsider the viability of continuing to list on eBay. Sincerely, Your name Want me to tighten the tone even further, or add any specific examples . I am active in the eBay community forums and I can see I am far from alone. Many sellers report the same sudden, unexplained drop in organic visibility. We don't want to escalate, but if this pattern continues with no meaningful response, sellers may have to consider coordinated complaints. We would much prefer a timely, good faith resolution from eBay.
serious concern regarding the visibility of my listings
rfmtm
Mentoryesterday at 11:11 PMSearch has been a manipulated mess for many years with many filters etc., doing unexpected things. In the past you could sort of figure it out and make adjustments, but no more as these manipulations are dynamic and in real time. This has been a frustration for both sellers and buyers alike. Still ebay persists in doing this as it somehow must make for more profit for ebay, although I am not sure how.
Buyers often resort to Google to find ebay items, but even that is becoming an issue. Still it is best to make sure your listings are as Google friendly as possible so Google and other search engines pick them up.
mr_lincoln
Mentor2 weeks ago · EditedHi @factorywarehousecloseouts
-Would it be possible to get a little background from you? Your account was opened in 2016 and you have sold a total of 238 items in a 10 year period. But I suspect you have not been Selling that entire time right? So per the opening of your post have you only been selling for about 2 years or longer?
-You currently have 80 items listed for sale and have sold 31 in the last 90 days. Is that typical for a 90 day period?
-Some of your items appear to be very niche with a small number of potential Buyers that might even be looking for them. One example would be this item: 2000-2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse 2.4 Manual Instrument Speedometer Gauge Cluster
Another one might be the Vintage Commercial Downey Johnson Model Coin Money Counter Sorter Machine
-We recently learned that Google Search is not showing eBay listings that use Calculated shipping ... several Sellers tested that theory and found it to be true. That's just an FYI.
-You appear to sell in a variation of categories. Selling online is a numbers game to a certain degree. The more items you have for sale the more chance there is that something will sell.
factorywarehousecloseouts
OP2 weeks agoThis has nothing to do with the search engines right I had a big power seller account back in 2006 liquidation mostly sears obviously sears is basically gone. They still doing stuff online but not how they used to dirt. That’s not the same anymore. This account has been sung off and on, but let’s face it like I said this stuff they’re bearing it. I build websites I build AI to open AI courses even I have three AI units saying that a base Ebay is doing this on purpose .and I just got off the phone with a very nice guy from eBay tech. He said the same thing he’s like this is he wasn’t make an excuses so yeah sales is a Numbers game and trust me. I’ve had big sales and small sales since 1986 selling car parts but since after the lockdown and since eBay changed their policies the last two years and they out source everything this has gotten really bad. It’s not fun anymore.
factorywarehousecloseouts
OP2 weeks agoP.S. I use to have a very nice train set HO LOVE your EBAY STORE
mr_lincoln
Mentor2 weeks ago@factorywarehousecloseouts
My sincere thanks for the compliment on my eBay store!!! Trains are my core business and thus far continue to do well. Most of my sales nowadays are via Auction format since eBay has suppressed my BIN listings pretty much since I abandoned PLS at the end of 2023. Auction sales are typically between 70% - 90% of my monthly sales ...
I used to have 400-500 listings Active on a regular basis, now that is below 200.
Earlier this year I removed a ton of inventory from eBay and sold it elsewhere. With shipping costs continuing to rise some things and price points are just not profitable or worth investing time in 1) selling, 2) packing and 3) shipping them.
It is something I think a lot of Sellers have either realized or will in the not-too-distant future.
factorywarehousecloseouts
OP2 weeks agoI grew up a trains played on the tracks. Factories is to climb and of course build them in the basement back in North Tonawanda, New York and slow ones would actually ride Amtrak’s taking them to Canada right by the Tonawanda GM factory engine plant. I have I still have some they’re from the 50s and early 60s. And I’m actually creating a website in store for models and a nonprofit organization foundation to rebuild America’s drag strips and operational.
mr_lincoln
Mentor2 weeks agoAwesome!
factorywarehousecloseouts
OPyesterday at 10:19 PMOctober 7, 2026
TO: eBay Inc. — Chief Executive Officer, Executive Management, Legal Department, and Seller Performance Department
FROM: James Viscuglia II
RE: FORMAL NOTICE OF INTENDED LEGAL ACTION, DISPUTED SELLER PERFORMANCE VIOLATIONS, UNJUSTIFIED ACCOUNT RESTRICTIONS, AND DEMAND FOR IMMEDIATE CORRECTIVE ACTION
DEADLINE: 24 HOURS FROM RECEIPT
To eBay Executive Management and Legal Counsel:
I am writing to formally notify eBay Inc. that I am prepared to pursue legal action concerning the handling of my seller account, the imposition of disputed performance violations, and the restrictions that have effectively prevented me from conducting business on your platform.
I HAVE HAD ENOUGH.
I have been selling on eBay since 2006. I previously operated a PowerSeller account and have maintained my current seller account for approximately ten years.
For nearly twenty years, I have supported your marketplace, paid your fees, served customers, and conducted legitimate business.
What I am experiencing today represents, in my opinion, an unacceptable failure of corporate accountability, seller protection, and basic customer service.
1. DISPUTED AND INACCURATE SELLER PERFORMANCE VIOLATIONS
eBay has downgraded my Seller Performance standing based on claims of unresolved transactions and alleged failures to communicate with customers.
I categorically dispute these allegations.
Your own messaging system contains evidence of communications with buyers, including transactions from October and November.
We routinely communicate with our customers and make every effort to respond within 24 hours.
The evidence is in your own system.
I demand that eBay identify every transaction being used against my account, provide the specific reason for each alleged violation, and review the complete message history.
If these records establish that the performance violations were improperly assessed, they must be corrected immediately.
I will not accept inaccurate accusations that damage my business reputation and ability to sell.
2. UNJUSTIFIED ACCOUNT RESTRICTIONS
Your restrictions have become so severe that I cannot properly edit existing listings, correct accidental errors, or update inaccurate manufacturer descriptions.
This is absolutely absurd.
eBay requires accurate product listings while restricting my ability to correct inaccuracies.
You cannot reasonably demand accurate listings while preventing sellers from making necessary corrections.
These restrictions have directly interfered with my ability to conduct business and generate revenue.
I demand that eBay identify the exact policy authorizing each restriction and provide a written explanation of the factual basis for its continued enforcement.
3. UNACCEPTABLE CUSTOMER SERVICE
My attempts to resolve this matter have been met with repeated transfers, inadequate answers, and disconnected telephone calls.
I have been routed to outsourced support representatives in the Philippines who appeared to lack the training or authority necessary to resolve the issue.
My criticism concerns eBay’s training, management, and support structure—not the nationality of its employees.
On October 7, 2026, I spoke with a representative in Florida who was supposed to connect me with a supervisor. The call was disconnected.
This occurred after repeated attempts to obtain supervisory assistance, including three unsuccessful escalations.
Your customer-service system appears designed to prevent sellers from reaching anyone with meaningful decision-making authority.
If that impression is incorrect, eBay should demonstrate it by assigning an authorized representative who can actually resolve this dispute.
4. TWENTY YEARS OF SELLER HISTORY
I was a PowerSeller when eBay was building its reputation.
I supported your platform through major changes, including changes involving PayPal, payment processing, and seller policies.
My present account has existed for approximately ten years. Although I took an approximately six-month break, I resumed selling and continued operating in good faith.
Over the past year, I have witnessed what I consider a serious deterioration in the treatment of sellers.
Sellers are not disposable account numbers.
We provide the merchandise, serve the customers, fulfill the transactions, and pay the fees that generate eBay’s revenue.
Without sellers, you do not have a marketplace.
5. FINANCIAL DAMAGES AND INTENDED LEGAL ACTION
These restrictions have disrupted my business operations and may have caused financial losses.
I am preserving evidence of the account restrictions, affected listings, transaction records, communication histories, and resulting lost sales opportunities.
I intend to consult legal counsel regarding potential claims supported by the evidence, including any breach of applicable contractual obligations or failure to follow published seller policies.
I will seek all legally available remedies, including recovery of provable damages where permitted.
I also intend to file documented complaints with the Federal Trade Commission, Better Business Bureau, and appropriate state consumer-protection authorities.
I am no longer willing to accept unexplained restrictions, disputed accusations, or repeated customer-service failures without accountability.
6. FORMAL NOTICE TO PRESERVE EVIDENCE
Because legal proceedings are reasonably contemplated, I demand that eBay preserve all relevant evidence, including:
Seller Performance evaluations and defect records.
All relevant buyer-seller communications from October and November.
Internal account notes and records supporting the restrictions.
Available customer-service call recordings and escalation histories.
Account restriction logs and policy-enforcement records.
Applicable seller policies in effect when the disputed actions occurred.
Records relating to the review and handling of my complaints.
Please forward this preservation request to the appropriate legal and records-management personnel.
7. FORMAL DEMAND FOR ACTION WITHIN 24 HOURS
Within 24 hours of receiving this letter, I demand that eBay:
Conduct an immediate manual review of every disputed Seller Performance violation.
Examine the complete buyer-seller communications already stored within eBay’s system.
Remove or correct any performance defects that are inaccurate or unsupported.
Restore my ability to edit listings and conduct normal selling activities unless a valid, documented restriction applies.
Provide a written explanation for each remaining violation and restriction.
Assign an executive escalation specialist or authorized supervisor to handle my complaint.
Confirm that relevant evidence will be preserved.
A generic automated response or another referral to ordinary customer service will not constitute meaningful resolution.
8. FINAL NOTICE
If eBay fails to provide a substantive response within 24 hours, I intend to proceed with formal complaints and take steps toward initiating legal proceedings, subject to applicable dispute-resolution requirements.
THIS IS NOT AN EMPTY THREAT. IT IS FORMAL NOTICE THAT I AM PREPARED TO HOLD EBAY ACCOUNTABLE THROUGH EVERY LAWFUL AVENUE AVAILABLE TO ME.
I have given your company approximately twenty years of business.
I am demanding fairness, accurate account records, competent customer service, and the ability to conduct legitimate business without unjustified interference.
I expect written acknowledgment of this complaint and immediate contact from someone with the authority to correct the situation.
The time for transferring calls, avoiding responsibility, and providing meaningless responses is over.
Govern your actions accordingly.
Sincerely,
James Viscuglia II
eBay Seller Since 2006
Former eBay PowerSeller
FORMAL NOTICE — RESPONSE DEMANDED WITHIN 24 HOURS
eburtonlab
Mentor2 weeks ago@factorywarehousecloseouts
In some cases, even exact title searches fail to surface my items.
Usually that is caused by either searching before an item has been indexed, or else listing an item in the wrong category for your search keywords.
factorywarehousecloseouts
OP2 weeks agogood morning no they are burying my listing for reason 25 pages back i could sell something for $1. and it could be worth $1500.00 nobody will find it
jacbarcollectibles
Mentor2 weeks agoeBay changed their search algorithm a number of years ago and they have kept how it works a secret from sellers. What we do know is that it customizes the search results based on searches made by the user in the past which will then show each user a different set of the search results. Also, the more you promote your listing the higher in the search results it will appear.
eburtonlab
Mentor2 weeks ago · Editedno they are burying my listing for reason 25 pages back
That is different than your original statement that exact title searches failed to show your item at all. What page your item appears on depends on the exact search terms, filter options and sort order chosen by the person doing the search, as well as how many other such items are listed.