eBay changing jewelry category policies mean COMPLETE UPHEAVAL OF JEWELRY SALES

[iamonourside]

eBay announced policy changes distinguishing categories will create chaos and confusion in jewelry sales and affect all jewelry sellers. How is it there is just one thread relating to the policy change on this board?  Is discussion of the change among jewelry sellers going on elsewhere?

I am reeling trying to get my arms around all of the implications.  Anyone else?

[flipping_treasures]

You are asking for something that makes no sense to a consensus seller who has sold jewelry for years, to make sense.  It can't be done. 

Getting two different answers from two different reps, is nothing new.

My best advice to you is to list your jewelry and use the auto pop-ups as your guides as to where to list it.

[old.crows.nest]

I thought that ebay was very conscientious in the past regarding Federal Laws and that their listing rules for the Fine Category was based on them? Does anyone know if those laws have changed?

[flipping_treasures]

The FTC is apparently changing the rules:

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2015/12/ftc-seeks-comment-proposed-changes-its-jewelr...

I don't have time right now to read them, but here is what I could find.  Note the dates of 2016.

https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/rules/rulemaking-regulatory-reform-proceedings/guides-jewelry-precio...

I might note.  Just because the FTC changes the rules, and like I said, I just don't have the time to review them right now, doesn't mean that people that are actually buying jewelry have changed what they think of as fine and fashion.  New industry standards are a real slippery road.  Kind of like the manipulation of common keywords and standard jewelry terms.

[old.crows.nest]

Thank you for finding the information Sandy  🙂

Might be yet another case of governments creating /overwriting laws to legitimize the reality that already exists.

"If you cannot beat (/suppress) 'em, might as well join (/validate)  'em!"

😞

[old.crows.nest]

I've been looking at the PDF of proposed changes.

I found something I have been vocal about up for inclusion:

"(c) Rhodium Plating Disclosure

Finally, the Commission proposes a new section advising marketers to disclose rhodium
surface applications on products marked or described as precious metal, such as rhodium-plated
items marketed as “white gold” or silver. The record indicates that it is now common to plate
rhodium over another precious metal to enhance a product’s white color, especially for white
gold (which typically has a pale, yellow color) and sterling silver. This plating, however, wears
away, resulting in a yellow product (in the case of white gold) or a tarnished product (in the case
of sterling silver). Thus, consumers may learn too late that their white metal jewelry is, in fact,
yellow or off-white. Although JVC’s survey indicates that the vast majority of respondents want
to know if this procedure had been done, most consumers are unaware it occurs.

Because consumers are likely to be deceived if they unknowingly buy rhodium-plated
jewelry that will lose its white color, the Commission proposes advising marketers to make a
rhodium-plating disclosure. Much like the guidance advising marketers to disclose gemstone
treatments that are not permanent or create special care requirements, the proposed disclosure should help prevent deception by notifying consumers that the surface of the product, and
therefore the color, may not be permanent."

[iamonourside]

I took a couple of days away from eBay to do something even less fun, to do my taxes.

But even that should have been enough to gain perspective.

If you list only in vintage jewelry, your choice of categories may not be affected.  One can list gold, gold filled, and sterling in the vintage categories and title it whatever name you choose -- while aware of SNAD.

Anyone who seeks to reach the larger jewelry buying audience by also listing in fashion jewelry will be affected. And only someone with a regular following or large number of listings, could afford to list only in vintage jewelry.

I had been listing in both applicable vintage categories and in fashion jewelry as a strategy for dealing with eBay implicit category search.  I was enjoying some success.   I am now unable to do so for sterling and gemstone jewelry.   That is frustrating.   I empathize with paulibeverlyhills but can offer no solution.

I agree, ebay's game to do what they want.  The inconsistencies in the policy changes is the most frustrating deal.  

Since the change in policy - not necessarily because of it, maybe because I complained in the boards, who knows - my sales and views have stalled.   

I try to reason on behalf of ebay.  That the new policy is merely their getting in front of the more stringent regulation of the term gold plate.  Ebay promises that listings in the fine jewelry category will be REQUIRED to provide specifics.  Item specifics such as identifying metal and metal purity.  Yet of the 161,000 listings for "gold plated" in fine jewelry, 138,107 did not specify a metal.  98,751 did not specify a gemstone. Of those that did not specify a gemstone, 85,226 did not specify a metal.   and, ... The vast majority of "gold plated" listings are still in fashion jewelry, 479,805.

I do agree with in the other posts to this and other threads of the importance of keep on keeping on with a positive attitude.  But the new policy is real, and I continue to look for ideas and solutions from other sellers.  

[paulibeverlyhills]

Thanks for your reply. Well written , intelligent, and informative.

I called eBay as I am still confused re listings.I did confirm that amber is now a FINE jewelry item,even if it doesn't have precious metal,as it considered a fine gemstone.Ok,,so I changed my listings & that's "done".. I spent the past 2 days tweaking all listings,particularly  ones that are generic sterling, non-handcrafteditems  & moved them  to category FINE,even though it makes me personally bonkers.

However, when I called eBay rep tonight, very nice man, he told me that my handcrafted items that are sterling can stay under the handcrafted categories, & I don't have to move them to FINE category..Ok that would save me some changes.However, after our chat he sent me a  link that was informative,but  that link says the if any part of your listing is sterling it must go into FINE. But it doesn't address the sterling in handcrafted, or does that mean handcrafted only can be stufF that doesn't contain sterling? it was opposite to what the rep said So that's why I am still confused in Palm Springs,LOL!

 Trying very hard to comply with the rules, . 80% of my items are "handcrafted" and the majority have sterling, and people like handcrafted, so hate to move them to FINE,as my buyers are not in the FINE jewelry MARKET,-only my offline buyers, who don't count here.No one looking for a pair of sterling earrings, would think immediately to go to FINE jewelry to find them,, and Iknow that's a fact,.Now would handmade aficionados think to go to FINE to look for handmade,or was the rep right, that I should leave my handmades where they are even if they contain sterling? I hope someone at eBay is reading this,and can enlighten me, sooner than later. I don't mean to split hairs, just trying to get it "right", which is hard to do when you receive a mixed message.

I respect that eBay is trying to do is comply with the new FTC rulings, & that is logical, but it really is a bit of a complex issue, as I see it. Maybe I am over complicating this matter,but doing it from a good spirit.I don't think I am the only seller who is a bit confused about exactly what to do with their listings.  If I hear more data in a few days that would help sellers like me, I will be happy to post here to try to "pay it forward".

. Wishing you all many sales...this will all straighten out-it happens every time there is "change" in policiies at any company...eBay reps if you are reading this,would love to hear from you re whether or not I leave sterling items in"handcrafted", plus what to do about gold plated items & l4k gold filled items.that's another question.. Thanks....pauli p.s.woman who replied-all sales are affected everywhere by people doing tax returns past few weeks, wincing if they have to pay taxes, & by the crazy election media broadcasts. People's attentions are diverted a bit from "shopping"...so don't despair if you are slow--we are all affected....

[hollyblue83]

It seems you are misunderstanding what is happening.You are talking about Ebay's new rules,no other rules apply.There are no "new" FTC regulations,there are only new proposals which they won't start to discuss until June and probably won't approve for 2 years from now.

[flipping_treasures]

I would list handcrafted sterling in handcrafted.  I would list southwestern sterling in southwestern.  I would list vintage sterling in vintage.  I would list Native American sterling in tribal.  If you over think this all you will end up doing is going in circles.  I would use the KISS system when it comes to listing. 

[paulibeverlyhills]

Thank you for your reply. I have been doing exactly as you suggested, but when received the email from the rep whose email  said "if any part of your item has precious metal iit has to be posted in  the fine jewelry category", that's when I became confused again.

I will continue listing as you suggested and as I have been doing, unless eBay tells me otherwise

.

Re the KISS SYSTEM...WHAT IS THAT? . iF YOU ARE SAYING "kiss ebay's toes", I already do that as I love ebay selling and think it is the most amazing opportunity, despite the fact that I am having now my worst month this year. That has to do not with eBay but with buyers being diverted by political issues, and paying taxes.l The market always returns. If  misunderstood your terminology, apologies, and fee free to explain. eBay has no competition in my eyes, so I try at all times to comply with their rules. The person who replied below said I didn't understand that these are eBay's rules, but I do, but Also thought it was a change due to the FTC reissuing categories in some way but it doesn't matter why the rules are changing, we just must follow them, as eBay is our employer.. eBay as the right to change the rules for any reason whenever they want to. All I do is try to follow their direction, as I've attracted most wonderful buyers on my site here because of eBay.'s awesome platform...Go, Ebay! Thank YOU for your reply.& input!  pauli

[flipping_treasures]

Pauli the KISS method is an old business term.  ""Keep It Simple, Stupid." A term which simply indicates that the simplest solution or path should be taken in a situation. This principle can be applied to any scenario, including many business activities, such as planning, management, and development."

Read more: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/KISS-principle.html#ixzz46JgqhBJL

[everydayfa_72]

Yes I’m so **bleep** off at eBay- 3x now they restricted my account bc they said my jewelry could potentially be counterfeit.  There’s no name no markings or any of the sort.  I posted a gold toned nail bangle and was soooo mad when they restricted my acct for 10 days. Yet they let other sellers blatantly sell fake Chanel earrings/jewelry.  I was told they have an “expert team”. I said well if they’re such “experts” as you claim then why the f&@k can’t they tell the difference between a bracelet that specifically says Vartier and a **bleep** plain old mail bangle that has no writing or anything.  I’m reposting it when it’s time to.  I’ll just say gold toned bangle - they’re acting so stupid and I’m about to throw a lawsuit on them and Poshmark for not honoring their policies with everyone.  I’m sick of it!!!! 

[hertzgirlz]

This topic is 7 years old--how do they keep coming up again???

[treasureislandpearls]

I was wondering too !  I was soo confused ,, then I looked at dates-

[dream*peddler]

Usually, they find us through a Google or ebay search.  They type in a topic and it might serve up an old post.  What is ironic is the OP's post is still relevant 7 years later.  It was almost a premonition of the mess ebay has made of item specifics!