Messaging

[spark-chaser1]

Hello all! I seem to be having a problem sending messages. I receive a “ send message failed… please try again’ prompt every time I try. Is this happening to anyone else? It. Is happening at the worst possible time. Thanks in advance for any replies!

[Anonymous]

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@spark-chaser1 wrote:

Hello all! I seem to be having a problem sending messages. I receive a “ send message failed… please try again’ prompt every time I try. Is this happening to anyone else? It. Is happening at the worst possible time. Thanks in advance for any replies!

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@spark-chaser1 

This typically happens when eBay’s AI detects what it perceives to be an attempt to share personal info between members (such as email addresses, etc.).

[mudshark61369]

@spark-chaser1,

A little while ago I was able to send a seller a message asking about an item I was considering purchasing, so the system worked for me.  Besides the message you posted was there anything else in it after what you wrote? 

Are you trying to contact the seller using the  Contact seller button on a listing page or from their feedback profile page?

Have you recently installed any operating system or browser updates?

If you use the mobile app have you received any prompts telling you to update it?

If you have spent a lot of time on your device shopping or searching for information, you may need to clear your temporary internet files and cookie cache then restart the device.

[spark-chaser1]

Thanks for your reply. I appreciate it. I don’t recall anything of that sort being sent… most that won’t go through are just inquiries on purchases. But it could be an AI issue for sure.

[Anonymous]

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@spark-chaser1 wrote:

Thanks for your reply. I appreciate it. I don’t recall anything of that sort being sent… most that won’t go through are just inquiries on purchases. But it could be an AI issue for sure.

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@spark-chaser1 

I’ve had messages blocked that have had certain words such as email, phone, etc., in them.

The words were not being used in a way to circumvent the policy, but AI picked them out and blocked the messages.

I think eBay must have their AI looking for certain keywords.

I avoid words like those now and have not had the issue repeat.

[spark-chaser1]

Hello Mudshark! Thanks for your reply. I have sent a lot of messages without issue, but the last few that I’ve tried to send have been a problem. I suspect as Conservativs posted… maybe an AI hiccup?

I don’t use the app, but my phone is a hard-used mess… so I also think, as you’ve mentioned, my phone needs to be cleaned of cookies. I DO spend a lot of time researching with my phone for work and for leisure.

I will explore that, I hope it helps. 

I  Buy from a lot of Ukrainian sellers to support them and their economy ( as much as I can). I message a lot between these sellers and perhaps stretch messaging beyond its parameters of simple inquiries. A lot of my messaging is well-being checks with long standing sellers  to make sure they are OK. It may be the content of these messages over time could be misconstrued by AI. Hard to tell nowadays. 

thanks again!

[spark-chaser1]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@spark-chaser1 wrote:

Thanks for your reply. I appreciate it. I don’t recall anything of that sort being sent… most that won’t go through are just inquiries on purchases. But it could be an AI issue for sure.

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@spark-chaser1 

I’ve had messages blocked that have had certain words such as email, phone, etc., in them.

The words were not being used in a way to circumvent the policy, but AI picked them out and blocked the messages.

I think eBay must have their AI looking for certain keywords.

I avoid words like those now and have not had the issue repeat.

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In the cases here that I’ve had the problem, these were strictly messages informing the sellers that I received my orders and thanking them for smooth transactions. I am hoping that clearing cache works… as messaging has stopped for me at the worst possible moment.🙄

[mudshark61369]

@spark-chaser1,

It may be a case of ebay's computers picking up on certain "key"words in a message, causing messages not to be sent, something that has been around for years, but usually there is a note posted saying the message couldn't be sent because of inappropriate or personal information.

It doesn't matter if you use a phone or a computer to shop on ebay, either can have a build up of cookies that interferes with site functions. If you do not know how to clear your cookie cache, do an online search for How to clear the cookie cache on a:   Android or iPhone, (add the Mfr and model #) Computer giving the operating system. Ex: Windows 10.

[spark-chaser1]

Yep… cleared all caches, no joy. Also, sending the word “ test” fails to go through. Whatever is happening, I am thinking that until eBay itself fixes it, I’m not sure what’s left to do. 

they are constantly fixing and “ improving”… I hope this is just another glitch in the process that is temporary.

thanks again for your replies. I greatly appreciate them.

[spark-chaser1]

Just a follow-up… I had my IT guru nephew try to troubleshoot this and he seemed to find that there isn’t anything on my end causing this and it is on the ‘Bay’s end. Soooo… I hope that a fix is in process.

The irony will be in the fact that AI designed to hinder off-site communications will drive users to, well, go off-site just to arrange legitimate business that will be done above-board. Seems counterintuitive AND counterproductive.

Special thanks to Mudshark and Conservitivs for your help! I appreciate you for taking the time to assist. 👍🏻