Account Suspension and the Destruction of My Business. How eBay Left Me Without Income
Hello, colleagues!
I'm sharing my story because I'm tired of keeping it to myself. My account was suspended around February 12th, and it wasn't until February 15th that I received an email asking for more information—mostly about product availability. The subject line mentioned raising the maximum price limit above $500, but no other reason was given for the suspension.
I provided everything I could—five or six pages of explanation, as well as documents and photos, and again, everything I had to hand. There was no response—only silence. The support team, either through the app or the website, seemed to be trying to help and was probably forwarding requests to some internal department, but it didn't change anything.
I've been on eBay since 2015 and spent about five years building my business from scratch. My biggest mistake was devoting myself entirely to eBay. As a result, I encountered what appears to be monopolistic behavior, where sellers can simply be left defenseless without any explanation.
The most surprising thing is that eBay's own system rates me above average. I have 100% positive feedback, and my business has only grown. In 2022, when I was at a lower level, my limits were increased, and I was even offered working capital to expand. When the war in Ukraine began in 2022, eBay supported Ukrainian sellers and waived fees—but apparently something has changed since then. Perhaps some bureaucratic decision was made. Honestly, I don't know what happened, but the reality is, my business is ruined.
I can't reply to buyers who message me. Is this really related to the security of the marketplace? I can't adjust my inventory. And the worst part is, I'm just an ordinary person who enjoyed selling items on eBay. I wasn't making huge amounts of money. Sales are still ongoing, but the funds are frozen. I can't ship orders simply because I don't have access to the funds.
I work with local manufacturers. These were unique products that I listed on eBay before they were available. This attracted new customers to the platform. Now the system has put me in a situation where I could be forced to cancel orders simply because I literally don't have the funds to fulfill them.
This post is essentially a cry from the heart. I'm desperate and don't know what to do. The first thought that comes to mind is to immediately switch to other trading platforms. The main lesson I've learned is: never rely on one platform. You can be blocked at any time without explanation, and you'll be left with nothing.
I didn't commit any violations—my business was only growing. And when my store closed, I was left penniless, simply because it was my only source of income.
Thank you, eBay—or thank you to the bureaucrat who blocked my account—because now I'm struggling to survive in 😓
Here is my store:
In my opinion, this is completely unacceptable—a bona fide seller is blocked without any clear explanation. There's no feedback, no communication, no one says anything, no deadlines are given, and no way to respond to customer inquiries. And this has been going on for over a month—it's a nightmare.
12345jamesstamps
·5 months agoYou never had to cancel a sale?...Never had to do an 'out of stock' item?
And you don't really have buyers requesting refunds?
If you haven't had 'much' of these situations than it is something else.
I just thought I would throw these situations out there in case you did.
Just a thought...
caldreamer
·5 months agoGreetings from Sunny California,
I am very sorry this happened to you. EBAY uses Ai bots to flag accounts. Many Sellers have their accounts terminated for no reason and without any warning. Unfortunately, once EBAY makes their decision, it is final and they never "change their mind".
Only thing you can do is try to find a different platform to sell your items. Good luck to you, I hope things turn around for you.
poullibershteyn
OP5 months agoHello to sunny California. Yes, indeed, I also feel that some kind of inhuman system has been put in place that cuts everything off at the root, and it can harm not only sellers but also buyers—and even eBay itself. Probably some clerk decided to implement artificial intelligence to save yet another million dollars, and as a result, this is what it ends up causing. It’s very hard to start over from scratch when you’ve poured your heart into something every day for five years.
But I’m glad there are people who understand this problem. Thank you very much, at least for that. My account is still not banned or permanently blocked; it’s frozen. The issue is that I keep struggling, trying to achieve something, trying to find out what is required of me, but in response—silence. Communication with sellers is completely broken, and there’s a totally careless attitude toward market participants, which is very upsetting. It’s really frustrating. But again, thank you.
lacemaker3
·5 months agoHi @poullibershteyn, I'm really sorry this is happening to you.
This is a member to member forum, based in the USA, so nobody here can really help you with this.
The most important thing right now, is you need to put your items on Time Away, and don't allow any sales while this is in place. This will allow you to stop getting purchases when you can't ship your product.
https://export.ebay.com/en/first-steps/how-use-ebay-seller-account/how-put-ebay-store-vacation/
It is important to stop making sales that you can't deliver, because cancellations are very bad for your selling account. Too many cancellations, and you will be suspended permanently. It can happen with just a few cancellations.
As for the US$ 500 limit, I think that has to do with this:
https://export.ebay.com/en/fees-regulations-policies/ebay-policies/ebay-seller-listing-policy-update-for-sales-to-the-united-states/
Right now, you are listing your items on www.ebay.com. This means they are priced in US$, and you are targeting buyers in the US for most of your sales. This is not a good business model for a global seller at the moment. As it recommends in the link above, you may need to stop allowing sales to the USA, at least some of them and temporarily.
When you recover from this (hopefully it will be soon) and can receive payments again, you should stop listing on eBay.com, and start listing on an eBay site in Europe (in the local language) or on www.ebay.co.uk (in English). That way, you will be able to block sales to the USA for higher priced items, or all items if you need to temporarily (such as when shipping is not available).
Many global buyers and sellers think of eBay.com as "eBay international" but it really isn't. eBay.com is based in California, USA, and it is eBay USA. It has to follow USA policies and regulations, which are not supportive of global sellers.
If you list on eBay Europe or eBay UK, then buyers in Europe and the UK will be able to find you, and the policies and regulations are based in Europe and the UK, and will be more appropriate for a seller in your region.
poullibershteyn
OP5 months agoThank you for such a detailed response. The advice about pausing sales seems quite reasonable to me. I’ll see how well it works.
But regarding the claim that eBay.com is only an American marketplace, that is absolutely not true. It is true that it is focused on sales in the U.S. and that most transactions happen there, but it was originally created as an international marketplace for sellers from all countries, with international shipping and so on.
So I don’t understand where this claim that eBay.com is strictly an American marketplace comes from. No, it has always been an international marketplace from the beginning.
And my post is more of a cry from the heart, because I understand that most likely my account won’t be reinstated. It’s also a warning to all sellers not to rely on just one marketplace, because bureaucracy can destroy any business at its root without giving any explanation. Well, if anything is wrong, I apologize. It’s just that I have enough food for two more days, and after that, I’ll starve. And this is my own mistake—my mistake was that I was very naive about eBay and dedicated myself entirely to it. That was my main mistake.
soh.maryl
·5 months agoSorry you're having a hard time; however, you misunderstood a post.
No one said eBay is only an American marketplace. What was stated is that this forum is a member-to-member forum based in the USA.
It's pretty well known that eBay is a world wide venue.
poullibershteyn
OP5 months agoSo you mean that foreign sellers can’t post here, is that correct? I don’t think that’s true, because I, for example, am an international seller, and I’ve been able to reply to any sellers or those seeking answers. There are no restrictions like that. I log into this forum with my own username and password.
Perhaps we just misunderstood each other, nothing personal, and you can excuse me too if needed. I’m just saying that because of this suspension, which has lasted almost a month and a half, I’m already at the point of a nervous breakdown, so I may react sharply.
I think only those sellers who have faced the same situation as I have can truly understand me—when your work, which you’ve been building for one, two, ten, or even fifteen years, is simply blocked, either for a minor violation or for no understandable reason at all. It’s a terrible feeling. Until it happens to you, it’s very hard to grasp. But when it does happen, it’s a nightmare because everything you’ve worked so long to build—your followers, sales, feedback, the care and passion you’ve put into your work—just collapses right before your eyes, and all of it is blocked in an instant without explanation.
It seems that this situation changed around the summer of last year. Before that, I repeat, everything was fine. When I was still at the very early stages of my store, eBay didn’t charge me any fees in 2022, just like for all Ukrainian sellers. That was real support from eBay. They even offered me a development credit of $5,000. I repeat, this was back when my store was still in its early stages.
But something changed—probably some John, Jack, or Bill came along, I don’t know who, and he has his own policies. And now they’ve started cutting everyone off at the root. This has been happening since the summer of that year.
I also know a person, a professor from Ukraine, who worked very well. And can you guess why his account was blocked? He was blocked simply because—imagine this—his sales had increased. In other words, the person improved his performance, and they blocked him for it. It’s a horrible situation.
kensgiftshop
·5 months agoNo, foreign members can post here, but here in the US, we don't have the BBE and other rules that International sellers do.
If it is a BBE suspension, there's nothing you can do but find another place to sell your items.
poullibershteyn
OP5 months agoDo you mean this rating?
jonathanbrightlight
·5 months agoBased on your country of registration, your account is subject to the Cross Border Trade policies, notably the Bad Buyer Experience policy. You should read it carefully. The policy can be found here: https://export.ebay.com/en/fees-regulations-policies/ebay-policies/bber-2025/
poullibershteyn
OP5 months agoIn my view, there should be more transparency. I’ve sent all the documents. If anything else is needed, they could send me a message specifying what’s required. I will provide everything—biometrics, tests—if necessary. But that doesn’t happen; there’s just silence. And it seems to me that this is not entirely reasonable, because buyers also suffer.
I suspect the reasons are bureaucratic or personal, where someone on the team, either on their own initiative, personal worldview, or for some other reason, enjoys seeing someone else’s business being destroyed. And this happens quite often, you have to agree, in any field—even in law enforcement, the penitentiary system, and so on. So, here, there may be a personal factor or personal interest of a bureaucrat at play.
albertabrightalberta
·5 months agoYou are taking this personally and it's absolutely not personal.
poullibershteyn
OP5 months agoHere, the main problem, as I see it, is that the situation is getting out of control and beyond human reason. If the management system has been handed over to artificial intelligence, then sooner or later there will be AI “hallucinations,” and the community will end up suffering because of it. But instead… And when you reach out to real people through support, they genuinely want to help and may even try to do something. The issue is that they can’t actually do anything. If the system is under AI control, at any moment it could block all sellers—or something else could happen. My post, as I said, is both a cry from the heart and an attempt to draw attention to this problem.
jonathanbrightlight
·5 months agoWhether eBay.com is an American marketplace or not, if your items are listed on eBay.com you cannot restrict shipping to the US, so if you cannot currently ship to the US, you cannot have items active for sale on eBay.com. That is simply fact, and many sellers have permanently lost their accounts because they fought against that. I'm glad to see you're acknowledging that pausing sales for now is the right decision, and hopefully you can keep your account from being permanently suspended.
poullibershteyn
OP5 months agoHello, I didn’t quite understand you—what do you mean?
poullibershteyn
OP5 months agoPerhaps I didn’t fully understand you, as I’m using a translator, but the thing is, I never restricted sales to the US—those accounted for 50% of my sales. And the most important point I want to make is that I had a good store; I was a good seller. I also paid taxes on my sales—well, eBay automatically deducted them from the buyer—so my sales were generating income for the US as well.
My post is more emotional, yes, and I think it will be understood mostly by those who have faced the same situation. Until it happens, no one goes to forums to write a topic like this or even thinks about it. But when you face such uncertainty and injustice, it makes you want to shout to the whole world.
lacemaker3
·5 months agoI didn't mean that eBay.com is only for the USA. There are lots of global/international buyers and sellers on eBay.com. But it is a fact that eBay.com, as a business/company, is based in the USA, and has to follow USA laws, regulations and policies. They are not always fair to global sellers.
There is no eBay International. It doesn't exist. All eBay websites are based in a country, and you can tell where they are based by the currency that is used on the site (and the language, if the eBay site is in Europe). They all have to follow the laws, regulations and policies of the country where that eBay company is based.
My suggestion to list on a different eBay site was pragmatic and practical, and intended entirely for your benefit. When listing on eBay.com, global sellers are treated more strictly than sellers based in the USA. It is harder for global sellers to meet all the requirements when they sell on eBay.com. Global sellers are held to a higher standard on eBay.com, than sellers based in the USA.
This isn't fair, but it is true. Global sellers need to be aware of this, and should consider trying to grow their business in other regions, so they will not be so badly affected if policies or conditions change unfairly, or suddenly.
There is one thing I can suggest, a way that you can reach out to eBay's Global customer help team. You can ask for help on the Export eBay Community, here. It is for global eBay sellers. There are eBay employees responding there, who can refer your question to the global customer help team. I think this may be your best chance to get your selling privileges back, and receive your payouts.
https://export-community.ebay.com/
And I do think that is possible. Good luck. I hope that works for you.
poullibershteyn
OP5 months agoThank you very much for this tip. I really appreciate your willingness to help. Yes, indeed, I was talking about a certain unfairness and inadequacy in communication with sellers, which ultimately harms the buyers as well. That’s what I was referring to, and I just wanted to draw attention to this problem and express my thoughts, since I’ve been waiting for a month and a half without knowing what to expect. I’ll try to follow your advice. Thanks again.
poullibershteyn
OP5 months agoThere’s also the fact that I can’t even message customers who have already placed orders. I can’t respond to their questions because this function is restricted for me. In your opinion, is this adequate behavior for a marketplace?
I may also need to contact a buyer if there is an issue with their address. But I can’t reach them because this function has been restricted. Consequently, for example, a package could hypothetically be sent incorrectly and not reach the customer. In other words, I’m being put in a problematic situation from the start, and it’s not my fault at all.
broto_64
·5 months agoNot to disagree, but out of a thousand orders I may have "had to" contact one, maybe two buyers.
It is rare for me, the need to contact a buyer.
I am a firm believer in letting sleeping dogs sleep.
That said, I know the feeling you speak of very well.
I've been banned from various internet erm... What should I call them?
places?
Yes, places.
And that feeling of hopelessness, because there is nobody to talk to...
Having been active for well over a decade, not even being told what the violation was...
It could well have been a mistake, and yet there's not even a real chance of an appeal, or at least not one that a human being will partake in where we can talk to someone... Rather it feels a little like waking up on another planet around beings that are not human and do not speak our language, but are hostile to our intentions and want nothing more to do with us.
I know this feeling well.
What do you propose any of us should do?
It is the new world order.
I have been watching this nonsense come about and nothing is done about it.
What can anyone do?
grann-4629
·5 months agoIt's not right how eBay keeps reasons for restrictions hidden .. that's not how humans learn.
But, when you put the rubber to the road, it's only eBay - there are plenty of other ways to buy and sell stuff without having to put up with their nonsense. ie: It's not the end of the world!
Good luck to all who are put into limbo with eBay.
PS - I do like your reference to aliens. Perhaps we could talk about that instead - at least that's understandable.
kibble-net
·5 months agoYou're not allowed to talk about w*r here. The [Removed by Moderator] moderators will lock this thread for political reasons.
poullibershteyn
OP5 months agoI’m not discussing the war here. Show me where I am. I’m sharing my experience with other sellers about how bureaucracy can freeze your business and leave you with nothing.
broto_64
·5 months agoYou specifically mention war in the title and again in the body, any reader with a basic level of reading comprehension understands you are in Ukraine which is at war with Russia.
Whether allowed or not, I am not as keen to assist someone using certain tactics to gain my sympathy.
I am sorry your country is at war, I however suspect it has nothing to do with your restriction.
From what I gather you have not been permanently suspended but your account is presently very restricted. That means you need to take action immediately to prevent further sanctions to permanently ban or suspend your account, keep in mind that is just my take on things.
Perhaps read the post about putting your items on Ebay Europe instead of Ebay USA (ebay.com = Ebay USA) because when you post your items on Ebay USA you are bound by the same terms as USA sellers are and that is most likely what is tripping you up.
Whether that will solve your problem I could not say, but it appears to be the closest to a solution we have thus far.
poullibershteyn
OP5 months agoIf you read my message carefully, you’ll notice that I’m not discussing the war anywhere. The fact that there is a war is known to everyone around the world. I’m simply sharing my personal experience with other sellers about what can happen—that your account can be frozen without explanation at any moment, leaving you alone with your problems, with no one giving you answers or concrete results.
Yes, this is a cry from the heart. I’m sharing my personal experience. My mistake was relying on a single platform and dedicating five years solely to it. In the end, I faced an unjustified account restriction.
You can’t help me with this. You’re free to move on to another thread that interests you.
soh.maryl
·5 months agoStrange, I saw the word "war" in the title of your post.
poullibershteyn
OP5 months agoWell, it’s true that you saw the word “war,” but this is not a political discussion. I’m not talking about politics; I’m sharing my personal experience of being stripped of a business that I had been building for at least five years while living in a war-torn country. Yes, this is my personal experience that I’m sharing, but it is not a political discussion. Okay, I’ll remove the word from the title if it’s bothering people.
grann-4629
·5 months agoOkay, I’ll remove the word from the title if it’s bothering people.
Thank you - I thought my brain missed the dreaded word.
eBay does not want to admit that w's happen ... it's the old cancel culture thing.
btw the word didn't bother me at all ... it's real and people should be talking about it, maybe just not here.
powell-collectibles
·5 months agoYour title is fine – it is clear you’re not making this a political discussion or an argument about war. With most of us, our hearts go out to you. Requirements on international sellers are so tough - Confusing, unforgiving, seemingly unfair to a lot of very good sellers. Unfortunately, it seems that is the way it is going to be. Absolutely, take the advice given to you on these boards – you don’t have anything to lose. I, personally, am rooting for you. Do let us know if it works out well for you.