How would you fix the VERO system, authenticity checking, etc.?
After wrongfully getting hit with some counterfeit claims from eBay over the past few weeks (I don't believe they were VERO-related), many of you reached out on my thread and shared incredible information (thank you to those of you!).
Since then, I've been thinking about this system and I must say... it's extremely broken.
I've been wondering about realistic changes you would make to eBay's seller system to fix it?
Off the top of my head:
- The listing tool should have the framework for listing an authentic item to the point where the listing can only be published if certain criteria are met. It should be more robust depending on what you list. For example, if I list an old garden watering can with no major brand name, then the listing should be able to recognize this and obviously make it more straightforward vs. something like a brand new with tags North Face jacket which can be very punitive when it comes to VERO strikes. Once that brand is selected, unique conditional criteria should be unlocked such as "Unworn w/ tags (no manufacturer warranty guarantee)". This seems so basic and could be implemented in no-time.
- Listings in question should be removed from search results + unbuyable and sellers should be given the opportunity to delist their items or submit an appeal rather then having eBay/the brand immediately delist them and threatened with a permanent suspension as if there is a gun to their head. If the listing hasn't been ended by the seller or an appeal hasn't been submitted in some reasonable time frame (7 days?), then eBay should delist the item. Since the updated listing tool highlighted in the previous bullet-point should prevent counterfeits from getting to search feed, then getting this point will be significantly more unlikely than it is already.
- VERO claims by companies showing things like differences in "stitching" should be transparent for educational purposes and trust. Replica manufacturers already buy the real thing and utilize photogrammetry technology, cloud compute, and materials sciences to replicate products with extreme accuracy from what I've learned. Sending an official PDF with basic notes on what areas to highlight that can likely already be found on YouTube, Reddit, etc. to prove authenticity won't contribute to the counterfeit product problem in any meaningful way
- There should be two listing tools set up for authorized sellers of authentic products vs unauthorized sellers of authentic products. Authorized sellers like Dick's Sporting Goods or Sport Chek can guarantee the manufacturer warranty even via their ebay store while unauthorized sellers (myself and likely you) cannot. Simply communicate this to the buyer.
Most of this can be resolved if the companies involved in VERO and ebay can simple better communicate to the buyer the difference between buying a product from your local big box store vs. John Appleseed from a few states/provinces over...
I tried to think of simple protocol changes or UI alterations rather than having to hire huge teams of human reviewers since this is unrealistic.
I'm optimistic the eBay team will make this system more coherent for sellers in the future!
Does anyone else have any other ideas?
nsch9879
·2 years agoPersonally I would cite the first sale doctrine. Any item which is not brand new cannot be copyright infringement by law. https://www.justice.gov/archives/jm/criminal-resource-manual-1854-copyright-infringement-first-sale-doctrine Secondly I would require some kind of documentation and proof that the so called "verified rights owners" are #1 verified. #2 have any rights. #3 are the actual owners. Thirdly I would allow sellers to have some kind of appeal process or better yet a way to register their original brand when selling their own custom branded product and using their own logos. Fourthly I would recommend a permanent IP ban from the platform for anyone abusing the VERO program as a form of corporate espionage to eliminate competition. Fifthly I recommend a class action lawsuit against ebay itself for promoting and participating in corporate espionage,perjury and fraud.