Account Suspended

[sourced_direct_sd]

Hey everyone! We’ve been selling on eBay for some time now. Our feedback is pretty good (99.4%), we are top-rated and overall do a pretty good job or disclosing everything in ours listings and such… Anyways, 2 days ago eBay notified us that we were going to be banned for 7 days due to a counterfeit item policy. This was not the VeRo program, this was internal eBay. The reasons its 7 days is obviously we’ve had an offense before (Back in January we were banned for 3 days for failing to use the word MFi with Apple Products, and then further forgot to fix all of our listings which led in our warning leading to a suspension). Anyways… that was a VeRo offense for counterfeit item - even though it wasn’t counterfeit, we just forgot to use the word MFi in our listings, and our appeal failed and we were banned. 

Fast forward to now. We listed a ‘YU33 Wireless Gaming Controller Compatible With PlayStation 4 - Purple’… The listing was removed for counterfeit item - and eBay told me they did it to ‘er on the side of caution’ and imposed a 7 day ban. We provided proof of purchase for the item, we correctly titled it with ‘Compatible With’ and we never used any coined Sony terms. They said that the controller image itself too closely replicated an actual PlayStation controller. However, it wasn’t exactly what a PlayStation controller looks like, and we just posted images of the controller itself. We bought it from Amazon initially (showed them our purchase receipt) and we were going to sell it on eBay. Boom. 7 day suspension not more than a day after listing it.

Funny thing is if you search YU33 controller for PS4, other people are selling this item with several of them sold with nothing happening to their listings - I know its not fair to compare - but my point is that we didn’t actually violate any rule and they literally told me they removed to to ‘er on the side caution’, and to avoid ‘a situation where it may create un-satisified buyers’ which seems absurd that they would issue me a 7 day ban for it, especially considering I didn’t actually violate any policy. This item has 1000s of them sold on Amazon, with over a 4-star review average.

They obviously denied all my appeals. All the reps just kept saying the same thing saying they couldn’t go into detail or know what was going on. Requested to physically talk on the phone with someone from that department, and got no response. One rep even told me you can submit an appeal but it wont do anything. Basically, the people I can talk to said they have no powers to change anything. The people I can’t talk to apparently have all that power. I’m still left with them saying I listed an item that violated a ‘counterfeit item’ policy with them having nothing to support - and like I said - I uploaded proof of purchase, images of the actual item, links to where the item was bought, images depicting design differences, used correct listing title practices, used correct item description/specifics section.

Is there anything I can do - or do I just bow to the dictatorship that is eBay? Because they’ve definitely considered me guilty of something they haven’t proved, in their own words ‘er on the side of caution and removed your listing’

Thanks! 

P.S. You can also see we sell around 1500-3000 items a month, so we aren’t running a small operation on eBay which is why this is detrimental to our business and I’m here.

[janet9988]

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@pburn wrote:

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@yuzuha wrote:

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@katzrul15 wrote:

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It is the compatible with that is getting you in trouble.  You cannot use Playstation or Nintendo if it is not.  Just like I cannot say Gucci Inspired..............

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Actually, this is one case where that IS allowed. You're allowed to say "compatible with [X]" or "fits/for [X]" in accessories/parts listings the same way you're allowed to list an unbranded phone case as being "for iPhone 11" because in cases like that it isn't keyword spamming, it's specifically telling which models a part or accessory will work with.

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Correct. 

From this page:

Verified Rights Owner Program 

Expand the first question, "What are some reasons my listing may have been reported?" under the "Seller FAQs."

"You may use "compatible with," "fits," or "for" before a brand name if the item you are describing is specifically designed to be compatible with the products of that brand."

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To add to this ..the brand can not not be in the TITLE of a listing...; just the description area.

[bashort]

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@dryophelia wrote:

@sourced_direct_sd 

If your item is not PlayStation brand, do not mention PlayStation in your title. 

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This logic would make selling car parts interesting.

[katzrul15]

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@janet9988 wrote:

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@pburn wrote:

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@yuzuha wrote:

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@katzrul15 wrote:

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It is the compatible with that is getting you in trouble.  You cannot use Playstation or Nintendo if it is not.  Just like I cannot say Gucci Inspired..............

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Actually, this is one case where that IS allowed. You're allowed to say "compatible with [X]" or "fits/for [X]" in accessories/parts listings the same way you're allowed to list an unbranded phone case as being "for iPhone 11" because in cases like that it isn't keyword spamming, it's specifically telling which models a part or accessory will work with.

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Correct. 

From this page:

Verified Rights Owner Program 

Expand the first question, "What are some reasons my listing may have been reported?" under the "Seller FAQs."

"You may use "compatible with," "fits," or "for" before a brand name if the item you are describing is specifically designed to be compatible with the products of that brand."

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To add to this ..the brand can not not be in the TITLE of a listing...; just the description area.

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Correct - as Nintendo, Playstation, XBOX are all divided by Shop by Platform.   Even using the PS4 type abbreviation in a title will result in it being taken down.  It is hard enough in these categories to find the "real" accessories for these items.  

For the OP's solds -  similars were listed in the Video Games & Consoles - Replacement Parts & Tools

They should have been under Gaming - Video Game Accessories

Using the other category under a specific platform leads a Buyer to believe the items are indeed replacements for that platform (Playstation, XBOX, Nintendo Switch, etc)

Cannot speak to cell phones, but sell a lot in the Gaming area and they are strict about how those are listed and classified.  We cannot "see" the OP's listing, but in looking at solds for similar items, there is absolutely a reason these were taken down.  It is not "just" how something is listed, but also "where" something is listed.  We also cannot see the item specifics used for this item, which is important as well.

Sorry, but the OP clearly knows that 95% of the items he had/has up are knock-offs for the real deal.  These types of items cause consternation for the Buyer and for e-bay and by nature, the Seller. 

It is as much what the OP is selling as it is how the OP is presenting it for sale.  

[yongscholar]

eBay can still afford to suspend sellers?  having lost almost 20 million members in less the than two years under Jamie Iannone watch is a feat that calls for no laughing matter. Yet, he still has a job. AMAZING!!

[sourced_direct_sd]

It’s not that I don’t want to take your advice. You’re just wrong on this one. Here’s the link to VeRo and what’s allowed and not: https://pages.ebay.com/seller-center/listing-and-marketing/verified-rights-owner-program.html

Here’s the excerpt: 

Brand name misuse
You may not use brand names in your listing if the product isn't manufactured by or compatible with that brand. You may use "compatible with," "fits," or "for" before a brand name if the item you are describing is specifically designed to be compatible with the products of that brand.

The item we were selling was compatible with the product of that brand. I don’t have an issue with following policy. We own store fronts. We have eBay/Amazon/Liquidation Sites. We use local liquidation warehouses. In the grand scheme of thing eBay isn’t a big deal BUT we do appreciate the eBay platform and what it offers. We just don’t think it’s right. Even the reps are saying what you’re saying ‘You’re getting in trouble for this…’ when there website policy literally contradicts what they’re saying.

[sourced_direct_sd]

All of our stuff is sourced direct from Major Retailers (Walmart, Target, Amazon, etc..) and we have invoices for all of it with proof of purchase. No Knock-Offs or reproductions. You’re able to use iPhone images as they are built into the pre-listings of eBay. Some suppliers let you use their images, some don’t. Apple is surprisingly one that does. Appreciate the feedback though.

[sourced_direct_sd]

We’ve had VeRo takedowns. It’s not that. VeRo notifies you when it is that. We were explicitly told by eBay CS this is not a VeRo removal but instead was an internal removal. The notice was an MC restriction and not VeRo. It’s weird which makes it that much more confusing.

[katzrul15]

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@sourced_direct_sd wrote:

It’s not that I don’t want to take your advice. You’re just wrong on this one. Here’s the link to VeRo and what’s allowed and not: https://pages.ebay.com/seller-center/listing-and-marketing/verified-rights-owner-program.html

Here’s the excerpt: 

Brand name misuse
You may not use brand names in your listing if the product isn't manufactured by or compatible with that brand. You may use "compatible with," "fits," or "for" before a brand name if the item you are describing is specifically designed to be compatible with the products of that brand.

The item we were selling was compatible with the product of that brand. I don’t have an issue with following policy. We own store fronts. We have eBay/Amazon/Liquidation Sites. We use local liquidation warehouses. In the grand scheme of thing eBay isn’t a big deal BUT we do appreciate the eBay platform and what it offers. We just don’t think it’s right. Even the reps are saying what you’re saying ‘You’re getting in trouble for this…’ when there website policy literally contradicts what they’re saying.

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It is my understanding you cannot put it in the title.  

Understand that you are unhappy about this.  You also had items mis-listed from a category standpoint.

Did you reach out to e-Bay CS on social media as I suggested?

Honestly, it makes me zero difference if you change your business model or not.  If you do not, next time if an infraction for the same type of issue(s), your selling account can be done on a perm basis.  

Whether or not you follow the advice given to you on a seller forum is totally up to you.

Wish you all the best.  I reiterate again that I would use this 7-day period to work to revise listings that can be considered to be blatantly the same as the ones previously removed.  Also, e-Bay has and does sanction Sellers for listings that are sold, closed, deleted - not just "active" listings. 

If my selling account was important to me and you have stated this platform is, I would suggest you heed the advice given to you to work differently with your listings for the future.  Only you can decide how best to proceed.  Good luck.

[albertabrightalberta]

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@sourced_direct_sd wrote:

They literally tell you in the VeRo Policy you can use a brand name as long as you use ‘Compatible With’, not sure what your comment is.

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People are trying to help you. Rather than snapping at them, telling them they aren't being helpful and not listening to what you're being told is only going to hurt you. 

I believe you can describe the compatibility in the item specifics, but as I understand, it cannot be in the title. Titles need to have keywords specific to the item and since your item isn't made by Sony, you can't use the brand name. (Someone searching specifically for Sony (brand) items doesn't want to see your non-Sony item.)

Read and try to understand the policy: 

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/listing-policies/search-manipulation-policy?id=4243&st=12&pos=2&q...

[pburn]

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@janet9988 wrote:

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@pburn wrote:

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@yuzuha wrote:

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@katzrul15 wrote:

---

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It is the compatible with that is getting you in trouble.  You cannot use Playstation or Nintendo if it is not.  Just like I cannot say Gucci Inspired..............

---

Actually, this is one case where that IS allowed. You're allowed to say "compatible with [X]" or "fits/for [X]" in accessories/parts listings the same way you're allowed to list an unbranded phone case as being "for iPhone 11" because in cases like that it isn't keyword spamming, it's specifically telling which models a part or accessory will work with.

---

Correct. 

From this page:

Verified Rights Owner Program 

Expand the first question, "What are some reasons my listing may have been reported?" under the "Seller FAQs."

"You may use "compatible with," "fits," or "for" before a brand name if the item you are describing is specifically designed to be compatible with the products of that brand."

---

To add to this ..the brand can not not be in the TITLE of a listing...; just the description area.

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velvet@ebay 

jasmen@ebay 

Can we see the supporting help pages for the policy that states:

""You may use "compatible with," "fits," or "for" before a brand name if the item you are describing is specifically designed to be compatible with the products of that brand, but only in the body of the item description and not in the title." 

Thanks!

[albertabrightalberta]

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@sourced_direct_sd wrote:

You’re able to use iPhone images as they are built into the pre-listings of eBay. Some suppliers let you use their images, some don’t. Apple is surprisingly one that does. Appreciate the feedback though.

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You can't use Apple or iPhone images unless the item you're selling is made by Apple. If it's a generic branded item that will fit and iPhone, Apple's images cannot be used. And Apple DOES have non-Apple brand items removed as well as counterfeit items pretending to be made by Apple. 

[pburn]

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@yongscholar wrote:

eBay can still afford to suspend sellers?  having lost almost 20 million members in less the than two years under Jamie Iannone watch is a feat that calls for no laughing matter. Yet, he still has a job. AMAZING!!

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@yongscholar 

Why in the world did you post this reply to my post? I made no reference whatsoever regarding suspending sellers or eBay losing sellers or Jamie Iannone or anything else in your reply. Your post makes absolutely no sense in any way, shape or form in regard to anything I've posted in this thread. 

And, as far as that goes, @sourced_direct_sd, how in any stretch of the imagination is this person's post the solution to this thread.

[sourced_direct_sd]

Didn’t realize I did that. Accident.

[reallynicestamps]

If your item is not PlayStation brand, do not mention PlayStation in your title. 

This logic would make selling car parts interesting.

Which is why Item Specifics are useful. (*ducks for cover*)

You can also have the compatible brands in your Description.

[fashunu4eeuh]

Arguing about the matter will not correct the problem. The problem is that after eBay has removed your listings (for whatever reason), you continue to relist, insisting that eBay is in error, to your detriment. Multiple violations are the fast track to permanent suspension— with no avenue for appeal or reinstatement.

The reality is that eBay doesn't need a logical reason to do a takedown. It states in the User Agreement that they can deny service for any reason or no reason.

Ebay says you violated policy, but didn't name exactly what that policy was, in writing, in the communication they sent announcing the listing removal. And the contradictory information given to you from the script-reading customer service is known to be notoriously incorrect. One cannot rely on their advice or explanations (unless it comes from the reps that are available thru eBay’s social media platforms).

The fact that eBay believes you are listing in error is not a debate. But where you end up is still in your control. Find somewhere else to list the items that got pulled. Don’t relist them here, ever, even if given the green light by eBay to do so. I have seen sellers permanently banned after relisting when eBay did declare that a listing was removed in error. The seller relists, the listing gets pulled again, and now they are given an automatic permanent restriction. It happens.