URGENT: Top Rated Plus Seller Under Coordinated Group Attack – 6 Case Evidence (Extortion & Abuse)
Summary: kellysmisc is urgently requesting manual intervention from eBay's staff members, tagging @anita@ebay and @brian@ebay, due to a coordinated attack by six accounts against their Top Rated Plus seller account. They report being trapped in an automated feedback removal loop that denies clear evidence of policy violations. The discussion highlights specific cases of extortion, fraudulent claims, and scripted feedback abuse by buyers, challenging eBay's automated system. kellysmisc provides detailed incidents involving delivery claims, feedback manipulation, and brand falsehoods, and expresses the gravity of the situation by mentioning the potential closure of their shop without a manual review. Another participant offers feedback on potential misunderstandings related to product branding and listing.
I am requesting a manual review @anita@ebay @brian@ebay . My 5-year Top Rated Plus account is under a coordinated attack by a group of at least 6 accounts. I am stuck in an automated "loop" where the Feedback Removal tool is instantly denying clear-cut policy violations.Evidence of Policy Violations:Group 1: Freight Forwarder Hub Abuse (Voided MBG & Feedback Protection)Order 20-14516-60592. Buyer left "scam" feedback despite receiving requested brands (Almay/Wet N Wild) and freebies. Order 02-14487-80499 : Delivered to 19720. BLATANT EXTORTION: Buyer messaged: "Send me 3 NORMAL products or I'll give you a bad feedback." .Group 2: Fraudulent Claims & Scripted "Scam" Language Order 05-14552-27224 : Claimed items arrived open. When confronted with policy, buyer admitted fault: "You won and I lost." Order 01-14556-52325: Claims "only 3 name brand," but their own photos show 15+ brands (Almay, Covergirl, etc.).User: First claimed non-delivery (tracking shows delivered), then switched to scripted "unbranded/scammed me" language. Order 21-14417-09359: Retaliatory feedback for mystery box contents.This is a clear violation of the Abusive Buyer Policy and Feedback Extortion Policy. These accounts are linked by timing, behavior, and scripted language. I am at the point of closing my shop because the automated system is currently protecting these bad actors over a veteran seller.Can a staff member please escalate this for a manual review of all 6 associated feedbac
Seller ID: kellysmisc
mksports03
·3 months agoWe to have been removed from top rated seller also. Now they won't let us speak to a rep, what is going on with ebay? How and the hell am I not top rated? Been with the company since 1998, 100% plus feedback, 2300+ items listed, sales over $15000 yearly. I am really tired of eBay’s arrogance and ignorance. If you do not want me with the company just say so. Michael Bruner, M&K Sports.
chapeau-noir
·4 months agoThere's no such thing as a 'top rated plus seller' only top rated plus listings.
kandf_vintage_finds
·4 months agoThose 10 red donuts will likely stick.
Your responses to feedback needs work. After reading these I would never buy from you.
I do not believe you are being scammed or attacked.
Take some responsibility and learn from what your customers are saying.
stephenmorgan
·4 months agoIf you did not send at least one each of the Brand Names as listing on the Title of listing then "3 Normal products" could be referring to they did not get the amount of Brand Names as was advertised.
Example 5 Brand Names listed but only two Brand Names sent with 3 lesser unknown brands.
reallynicestamps
·4 months agoWhen you phone a customer rep you get a minimum wage sub-contractor working out of Utah or the Philippines whose main interest in your case is to get you off the phone and have a pee break.
You might have some luck with the Feedback Extortion.
I'm not the only poster here who has been on eBay since the 20th century. We've seen it all. If you want to grow your business, you have to:
Stop naming and shaming other members
Use actual pictures of the actual lot the buyer will receive.
Stop selling "mystery lots"
Accept returns.
Toss all expired cosmetics immediately.
Cool down before you post Responses.
The best Response is telling the customer to return for refund.
kibble-net
·4 months agoThis is not extortion.
You sold a mystery box and FAFO'd.
Take some personal responsibility.
kellysmisc
OP4 months agoFeedback extortion is a zero tolerance policy violation. Anyone who doesn't know that is zero help to me cos I know that much. I finally got to chat with an agent today who seemed more willing to actually investigate and knowledgable than the phone agents I've been reaching. I spent an hr and 10 mins the other day on the phone explaining to one that I needed them to send a manual request to release a hold only to ultimately have them tell me they needed to send a manual request to release the hold. Customer service has reached a whole new level of maddening lately.
ten_o_nine
·4 months agoTo sell "MYSTERY BOX", you are required to disclose the contents of the box in the description.
(think Maybelline, L.A. Girl, NYX, elf, Revolution, wet n wild, etc.). Think is not a description.
I don't see any coordinated attacks, I see honest buyers leaving honest feedback for the products they received, and this didn't happen overnight.
grann-4629
·4 months agoWhat is the point of a 'mystery box' if you are required to disclose the contents?
Surprise - you got exactly what you were told you were going to get!
stephenmorgan
·4 months agoAI Overview
The point of a "mystery box" is to leverage curiosity and the thrill of the unknown to drive sales, engagement, and inventory clearance. It turns shopping into a gamified experience, offering potential high value or exclusive items for a set price, often sparking viral "unboxing" content on social media.
marnotom!
·4 months agoScroll back to message 8. A "general description" is required, not a disclosure of the contents per se.
albertabrightalberta
·4 months agoThey're disallowed because the buyer has no clue what they're going to get.
Many years ago, ebay did allow mystery boxes in listings in which the contents didn't have to be specifically disclosed. Sellers would list a box with a bunch of items that "may include" whatever and whatever else (usually expensive items) and buyers would bid or buy hoping that the "whatever" item(s) would be in it.
And of course, buyers never received those special items or if they did, the items were often fakes.
I remember seeing listings for "Louis Vuitton" and "Coach" mystery boxes and when buyers received the expensive purchases, there'd be 1 genuine item and the rest were fake.
I don't blame @kellysmisc 's for their frustration and disappointment. Sellers who do what she does gives all good sellers a bad reputation.
grann-4629
·4 months agoThanks @albertabrightalberta and @stephenmorgan for the info. I agree with the AI description that it is basically a game, or what I would term as a gamble. You might get something worth more than you paid or you might get a 'ZONK!'. Giving the buyer even a general idea of what's in the box takes away the mystery part, IMHO.
ten_o_nine
·4 months agoWhat is the point of a 'mystery box' if you are required to disclose the contents?
Surprise - you got exactly what you were told you were going to get!
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eBay rules require you to state what the buyer will find, not what they might find.
Sellers can describe it like this,
Contents include: 3 Full-size Lipsticks, 2 Travel-size Mascaras, 2 Powder Blushes, 1 Eyeshadow Quad, and 2 Makeup Brushes.
Brands you will receive: A mix of Maybelline, L.A. Girl, NYX, elf, Revolution.
The buyer still gets a fun surprise when they open the box to see the specific colors and brands.
christworks
·4 months ago@kellysmisc
Your business model isn’t working. Your issues with unhappy buyers go back much further than the past few days. That said, one of your recent negative feedbacks does appear to have resulted from a miscommunication caused by eBay’s website issues.
I’m more concerned about the multiple complaints from buyers saying they’re receiving expired cosmetics. That’s a major problem. You cannot sell expired cosmetics—even in a mystery lot. Your listings should clearly disclose the earliest expiration date a buyer might receive, and right now, you’re not disclosing any expiration dates at all.
I used to sell HBC products from shelf-pull pallets, and this looks very similar to what you’re doing. A significant portion of that inventory—sometimes more than half—can be expired. That product needs to be discarded, not sold.
If you don’t change your approach, negative feedback will be the least of your concerns. eBay will eventually catch on and permanently ban your account, especially as buyers continue opening returns and filing complaints.
tobaccocardyahoo
·4 months agoPallets of "Banana Boxes"?
Me too. I stopped. I don't regret it.
albertabrightalberta
·4 months ago@kellysmisc
Another comment: NEVER respond to negative feedback in the heat of the moment. Give yourself time to cool off and calm down.
Your responses and name-calling make you look worse than the feedbacks you received.
albertabrightalberta
·4 months ago@kellysmisc
Ebay isn't here and the 2 people you tagged are no longer working for ebay.
Instead of all the back and forth, just tell the buyer to "return for refund." Repeat as necessary.
FWIW, I did read your screenshot of the messages and want to comment because evidently, you're not aware that "mystery lots" and lot listings in which you don't specify exactly what the buyer will receive aren't allowed.
One of your unhappy buyers purchased a 5 Piece Mixed Brand Makeup Lot but the pictures show about 75 items.
Another unhappy buyer purchased a 15 piece Name Brand Mixed Makeup Lot and again, there are dozens of items shown and no specifics as to what the 15 pieces include.
You need to read the policy on mystery listings.
https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/prohibited-restricted-items/chance-listings-policy?id=4311&st=3&pos=1&query=Chance%20listings%20policy&intent=mystery%20listings&lucenceai=lucenceai&docId=HELP1160
krazzykats
·4 months agoFeedback policy on eBay
If it doesn’t violate the feedback policy, eBay won’t remove it.
ᓚᘏᗢ
reallynicestamps
·4 months agoBLATANT EXTORTION: Buyer messaged: "Send me 3 NORMAL products or I'll give you a bad feedback." (See attached screenshot).
This can be Reported and is against eBay rules.
Was this an eBay Message? or was it an email? The former is better for your case.
This is a member to member advice Board and while "calling" the eBay employees may be useful you should also know that "naming and shaming" other members is not allowed and at best those names will be removed from your post
White space is your friend. Learn to use the return key and make paragraphs.
FB is not used by eBay to assess member accounts. Most buyers think 95% is an "A". So don't worry about that too much.
But be careful what you say in Responses. The best is a calm, professional "I regret you are unhappy with your purchase. Please return the entire purchase for refund." Which makes you look good. It is unlikely these buyers will open a Claim.
inhawaii
·4 months agoCoordinated group attack?
Wow you must really be important.
broto_64
·4 months agoIt is a 5 year Top Rated plus seller account.
kellysmisc
OP4 months agoAlso one changed their username and first name mid-return once I mentioned being obligated to report false claims, she said there were only 3 Namebrand items but her own photo shows 20+ and the trigger, rose, lied about trying to message me. This was when it all started. I offered a 20% discount to their impossible claim lipstick wound itself out in a bubble bag inside a bubble mailer and it hasn't stopped since.
lagunaseca1
·4 months agoI am having trouble with routine feedback removal as well 14 appeals first 8 robot off topic responses last 6 radio silence, just keep sending appeals they will help eventually. The greasy wheel gets the oil !