eBay

polkatommy · ‎05-13-2025

I'm very concerned about eBay's ineffectual use of AI because sometimes it absolutely requires a human to decipher whether or not a reported item for sale is prohibited.

For example, red and blue LED emergency vehicle lights are prohibited on eBay, but now and then they still slip under the radar because savvy sellers have learned lots of tricks to cheat the system. For example, they won't outright say the lights they're selling are red and blue, but they might post a photo with red and blue crayons next to the lights, or they'll take a photo of the product sticker on the light housing, and the sticker will reveal the color of the lights in the model number (eg. "J917-46 R/B".)

Artificial intelligence isn't smart enough decipher these tricks! It takes a human to understand what's being sold, what's the product photos are revealing, and how sellers are cheating the system. I've had success getting red and blue emergency lights pulled off the platform in years past, but since eBay started using AI, lots of reports are bouncing back with, "These listings have not been removed. This determination was made using automation or artificial intelligence. ... Please don't reply to this message."

There are now several active listings on eBay for professional-grade red and blue emergency vehicle lights because the stupid AI has no freaking clue what it's looking at. And the form responses I've received were clearly final decisions as they've provided no option for me to appeal.

It is therefore accurate, and unfortunate, to announce that eBay's relegation of member reports to AI fosters the aiding of the dangerous crime of police impersonation. I'm not angry with the AI because it doesn't know any better. I'm angry with eBay because they do know better. What a shame.

tmorris2 · ‎06-28-2025

This is a listing that was flagged - that they were able to re-instate. Let me know if you see why it may have been flagged.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/316403143580

polkatommy · ‎07-02-2025

@atxps45 wrote:
You need to get a life. Nobody elected you the town marshal to police listings. You’re just messing with people who legitimately acquired these items through municipal auctions etc and resell in demand product. There is a huge market for off duty POVs, volunteer FD, emergency management/rescue people etc who cannot afford new equipment and rely on reasonably priced second hand equipment. I’m willing to bet you and your “boss” are the competitor of these eBay sellers at a vehicle upfitter shop. Probably selling cheap generic Feniex lights. eBay will just keep relisting the items with approved appeal. Go ahead and report them 3 times a day. Your account & IP gets flagged for excessive abuse of the reporting system every time. Just get off the computer and go outside and touch grass.

I respect your opinion, but your ad hominem comments are not congruent with the topic of eBay using AI. I have a very productive life, and I am not in emergency vehicle equipment sales.

There is a market for used emergency lights. I am aware of that. Even though red lights are also prohibited, I did not report them for the reason you mentioned. I only reported red & blue combo lights or all-blue LED lights.

Long ago, eBay chose to add police emergency lights/uniforms to their list of prohibited items along with other things like guns, animals, drugs, and alcohol. eBay put the onus on their members to report violations of listing policies. We all became eBay's elected "town marshalls." I believe that as conscientious members of the eBay community, we make the world a little better and safer by reporting violations.

If I can help stop a police impersonator from acquiring and installing a Whelen interior red & blue light bar, believe me, I will. And if you think I should "get a life" and not bother helping thwart police impersonation, just look at what happened in Minnesota last month.

It's been my belief all along that eBay took police impersonation seriously. For years and years, every few months I'd report a handful of violations, and eBay would take down 95% of the auctions I reported. Now that AI is in control, my reports are ineffective. eBay has become a police impersonator's candy store. That's what the topic of my thread is about.

deltilogical · ‎07-02-2025

The nuclear powered "AI" IS the problem - and we need some adults in the room to stop this, but it won't happen, they have all sworn fealty to the rentiers...this is going to end so very badly.