Being accused of keyword spamming for using "not"

[missmelindalou]

We listed an item "Pair 2 Bose Double Cube Speakers Black Work Great Cosmetics Not Great" and our selling privledges are temporary restricted for keyword spamming because "not great" violates ebay policy of keyword spamming because "not great" is somehow a "brand name, celebrity name, specific product or much searched word".  Additionally this is apparently our 3rd or 4th offense, but all of the offenses are relisting this one item.  So we are getting close to getting kicked off ebay because we are keyword spamming when we have never keyword spammed.

We have spent hours and have got no where.  Both myself and my girlfriend have tried to explain that although using "not" plus some other word might be a typical way of keyword spamming, "great" is not a celebrity namebrand name, product name or typical keyword search.  Even though "cosmetics" was not part of the complaint in our email from ebay, we tried to explain that the word cosmetics has multiple meanings in english which seemed to be confusing to one operator.  The worst was one ebay rep who seemed to get more and more annoyed about our refusal to stop keyword spamming and all explanations were met with some sort of "if you don't stop keyword spamming you will be kicked off ebay" with the operator never acknowledging that there might be some mistake after we had explained the error many times.

I sort of feel like this comes into the general category of racism, where non-native speakers blame and accuse and punish and blame and accuse more because they cannot accept that their understanding of English misses certain nuances.  Sort of as though someone from the US were to accuse and blame and punish a minority or a foreigner because the majority US person did not understand them and could not accept that there might be a different point of view.

We are really concerned that we might be kicked off ebay for good

[d-k_treasures]

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@emerald40 wrote:

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Now imagine you are a buyer looking for something.  And you put in a search word and get a bunch of listings that are everything but that.

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That's what happens every day here anyway.

[d-k_treasures]

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@castlemagicmemories wrote:

With all due respect, and not to beat a dead horse, but actually I don't think it was just that one word, not.

Posters have pointed out, as has Ebay, that NOT GREAT is one of the most famous quotes referring to BOB, in Mad Men.  Most likely this is what Ebay meant by celebrity.

Posters have also pointed out that great is not a good condition term, and that cosmetics was KWS as well.

So while I doubt it makes you feel any better, it wasn't JUST the word great that was wrong here.  There were multiple words in error.

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I'm sorry, but that's just out of control. What happens when others start saying that we can't use any phrase that someone else says on TV or in a movie?

[rixstuff]

I think it is the first two - clueless and inadequate English.  They treated my Filipina friend just as badly as any other American - and SHE SPEAKS TAGALOG!

[d-k_treasures]

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@missmelindalou wrote:

I might have understood if we were being suspended for using the word cosmetics, but the email said "not great" was the problem.

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So what's next? We'll get caught saying 'not working' in the title?

[dakotasmoke]

We use posting Ids so some one can't mess with our main account

[myescape]

"as is"is meaningless unless you describe every issue and problem in detail   since buyer can not access the item in person

[myescape]

If the way you express yourself on this site does not adhere to this sites policy it is not intolerant to punish for it

[dakotasmoke]

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@mexicanfoodking wrote:

Each of you have made some great points and the underlying problem here is that eBay's bots aren't always able to differentiate between an actual brand name and a common word used to describe an item. 

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His title is NOT a common way to descibe an item, and Im leaning towards saying he flat out knew he was KWS and didnt think he'd get caught

[myescape]

If you had previous listings of this item taken down for the same issue you are on your last legs because you kept breaking the same rule and getting caught.After a certain number of times warning you the site is going to realize you have no intention of following that rule so the punish you more harshly each time

[dakotasmoke]

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@myescape wrote:

If you had previous listings of this item taken down for the same issue you are on your last legs because you kept breaking the same rule and getting caught.After a certain number of times warning you the site is going to realize you have no intention of following that rule so the punish you more harshly each time

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The OP says they havent had listings removed but have had several warnings about the rules that they ignored.

In my own experiance, ebay usually removes the offending listing AND sends you a nasty gram telling you not to do what you've done but maybe thats changed.

[imakesugar]

 "I was recently homeless, have ptsd, general anxiety disorder, panic disorder and very likely adhd."  

I understand that You were homeless. I understand that You have mental health issues. Hey, I bet if You were to take a survey here and everyone wanted to be honest... Many of the Sellers here who have retired from "JOBS" are also in the same boat! Many are even worse with physical mobility problems in addition to mental health issues. 

That does NOT mean that they can't read eBay policy. I do understand that You've had problems in Life but so have we...

Try and spend some time reading these boards. They are invaluable, Sellers here Know the rules and what to do with problems. Learn about problems that have happened to others and how to solve them! Try to read these words of advice from Sellers/Buyers here and learn.

I know that You probably have a "BAD" taste in Your mouth from this discussion, the writers that You were defensive with, are great long time posters. Many have been here since the beginning. They know the rules better than any CS. Try to read every day something from the Community. There is a vast amount of knowledge here. Lots of tips and ideas on how to run your eBay business. In the long run reading these posts will make You a better Seller (and buyer). Also, realize that sometimes the same questions come up over and over and over again. It kind of grinds on the Regular posters who wished Sellers and Buyers would just read the policies on eBay.

I am sorry this happened to You I do believe that You were probably blindsided by something as basic as American word usage! I also don't always read the messages from eBay...there are SO many! This is NOT an easy venue to work with sometimes, However, it is the BEST one to get items seen by the WORLD. IF You want to list it to the world.  Sugar

[retrose1]

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@myescape wrote:

"as is"is meaningless unless you describe every issue and problem in detail   since buyer can not access the item in person

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As is is a reasonable variation of parts/not working that can be used on items that are not mechanical or electrical.   It gives an easy to understand warning to buyers that the item is not perfect and might not be suitable for their needs if they are looking for perfect.

I will not list anything on ebay that has damage with the exception of an occasional experiment, I do minor wear and that is it.  But on another site, I use As Is all the time and it works.  I do not get buyers complaining about that hole in the underarm that was clearly described, because As Is sent them to another item.  A lot of the items I am selling are As Is at clearance prices, I am making sales and money, but if it were ebay merchandise, I'd throw it out because there are too many problems with buyers who never read the description and ebay lets them blame the seller for a problem that was clearly stated in the listing.

z, I search using the word vintage all the time, I also use vintage in the title, and most of the time the decade is right after it.

To be honest, I think that the listing got pulled because, to most people, the word cosmetics means makeup.  It never would have occured to me that the word was in relation to the surface wear.

[rixstuff]

So I took a quick look.  I think in many cases you need to learn a little more about what you are selling so you can be more accurate:

*  The Pokemon Sapphire doesnt need a battery - it is a cartridge that goes INTO the game unit NOT the game unit itself.

*The pilots computer it is a manual flight computer.  WWII was over in 1945 so not 1950s and I dont think they used these kinds of gauges in the 40s.

*Realistic TRC-484 40 Channel CB Radio Probably Never Used Please See Pics is not a title.  List brand, item, size (folks will want to know if it fits in their vehicle).  Pictures wont cover it.  List what you DO know, not what you dont.  Maybe find out when these were made to give an idea of age.

*In many cases you have multiple identical items (two pairs of cleats with 3 available - so you have six total.  I think folks are more likely to buy individually at a lower price).

*Same with the Star Wars items.  Lots are great until they are too high priced to get a buyer.  Consider breaking them up and selling individually for half as much as the lot price.

I have seen titles on the craft and vintage site with long convoluted titles that dont really tell you anything about the item (pre-owned victorian wedding spring floral satin off-white...oh yeah it is a table cloth not a wedding dress. Would have been nice to know that).  Put just facts in the title that folks will put in when searching - Levis 569 30x38 - and leave the details and descriptions to the body of the description section.

[missmelindalou]

Older Pokemon games use a battery to save progress in the game.  I don't have much time now, will have to look at what you suggested for other listings later.  Thanks for your input.

[mistressmime]

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@missmelindalou wrote:

Wow, you've been a member since way back on 8-18-17.  Over two whole weeks.  Nothing suspicious about this, no sir.

I said racist because that's what it felt like, in the sense that a native English speaking person would likely have grasped what I was trying to explain and at least acknowledged the problem with words having two meanings and the like in the case of cosmetics, etc.  Someone who blames and accuses because they do not understand is not being tolerant.

I wonder what your motivation is.  Is it because you are employed by ebay in the Philipines and are spending company time to troll because someone not like you and is talking bad about your sort of people?

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Its a posting ID, either that or Im an ebay bot designed to drive you nuts.