Can I refer eBay users to my website for products/services not available via Ebay?

[westside_ev]

I have an eBay storefront and a website. The eBay storefront contains products and accessories for DIY purposes only.

My website sells the same products and accessories but offers additional services not available via our eBay storefront. The eBay system isn't set up or ideal for these services, so I do not offer them there.  

If an eBay user messages me to inquire about a service that I offer exclusively via my website, am I allowed to refer them to my website? Is there a way to make them aware of said services while adhering to eBay's policies?

I.e., My About page includes a link to my website and a blurb about how the eBay storefront is focused on DIY products only.  Can I also state there that additional services can be found on my website and refer the customer to my About page?

Thanks.

[westside_ev]

Thanks, I copied and pasted the descriptions from my website and somehow missed that. 

[farmalljr]

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@westside_ev wrote:

Thanks for all the replies, but I'm not talking about linking to my website from any of my listings. I understand I can include a card in physical packages, but they must purchase a physical product first.

The specific scenario I am asking about is if an eBay user sends me a message asking if I can provide them with an intangible service I offer exclusively via my website. E.g., modify/repair an electric motor/controller. This is a service I provide only to locals who bring their motor to me directly. In this case, I'm neither "promoting" nor "moving" a sale off eBay, which is what the policy's wording seems to prohibit. In this scenario, how should I respond to the user?

Do I have to say,  "No, sorry, I can't help you"? Or could I say, "Yes, but I don't offer this service via eBay," and leave it at that,  hoping they'll figure it out? Or could I even say, "Yes, but unfortunately, eBay policy prevents me from referring you to my website"? 

Can I refer them to a YouTube video about the service they are inquiring about if I don't have a corresponding listing on eBay? What if I make a corresponding listing on eBay that's $.99, and I just send them a business card and then refund them? 

My goal is to figure out a way to help the user that satisfies the eBay policy while keeping everyone safe.

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Again, you CAN NOT use a listing or messages to direct ANY sales offsite of eBay. eBay WILL ban you account over that. You would either HAVE to offer that service for sale as a listing here, or include your own advertising in the package you send a buyer. 

No if's and's or but's, you can't direct sales offsite of eBay with messages or in your listing. The ONLY way to direct sales off of eBay is with advertisements you place in the package you send buyers. If eBay catches you, and they will, your selling account and ALL accounts associated with it will be done. It only takes a bot to catch it or some PO'd Karen to report you. 

[retro_entertainment_collectibles]

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@farmalljr wrote:

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@westside_ev wrote:

Thanks for all the replies, but I'm not talking about linking to my website from any of my listings. I understand I can include a card in physical packages, but they must purchase a physical product first.

The specific scenario I am asking about is if an eBay user sends me a message asking if I can provide them with an intangible service I offer exclusively via my website. E.g., modify/repair an electric motor/controller. This is a service I provide only to locals who bring their motor to me directly. In this case, I'm neither "promoting" nor "moving" a sale off eBay, which is what the policy's wording seems to prohibit. In this scenario, how should I respond to the user?

Do I have to say,  "No, sorry, I can't help you"? Or could I say, "Yes, but I don't offer this service via eBay," and leave it at that,  hoping they'll figure it out? Or could I even say, "Yes, but unfortunately, eBay policy prevents me from referring you to my website"? 

Can I refer them to a YouTube video about the service they are inquiring about if I don't have a corresponding listing on eBay? What if I make a corresponding listing on eBay that's $.99, and I just send them a business card and then refund them? 

My goal is to figure out a way to help the user that satisfies the eBay policy while keeping everyone safe.

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Again, you CAN NOT use a listing or messages to direct ANY sales offsite of eBay. eBay WILL ban you account over that. You would either HAVE to offer that service for sale as a listing here, or include your own advertising in the package you send a buyer. 

No if's and's or but's, you can't direct sales offsite of eBay with messages or in your listing. The ONLY way to direct sales off of eBay is with advertisements you place in the package you send buyers. If eBay catches you, and they will, your selling account and ALL accounts associated with it will be done. It only takes a bot to catch it or some PO'd Karen to report you. 

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This is also true of business cards, video's etc.  eBay has video capability.   I know several people who've lost access here for using youTube and promoting their own sites in the videos.  eBay can terminate services for any reason they care to short of discriminatory actions.  Any attempt by any mechanism to draw buyers off to do business external of eBay is means for termination, same stands true at Mammazon.

My neighbor basically kitty corner in back of me got terminated for putting a link to store on a sticker on parcels albeit that was years ago.

Basically speaking any attempt to avoid eBay fee's via aggregating eBay buyer traffic is cause for termination.

[candd205]

It's a good way to get your account permanently banned.

[retro_entertainment_collectibles]

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@candd205 wrote:

It's a good way to get your account permanently banned.

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Actually selling what he's selling isn't a very good idea.  Selling inverter circuit boards that can cause shock, fire, requires more than a cursory knowledge of connecting a few wires is not something I'd touch with 15,000 mile pole on here.  Need a very large legal disclaimer customer need sign off on before they even buy it or sit at point libel in a court with absolutely no way to defend it.  The world isn't a friendly place, there are those who've no clue what they are doing with this sort of electronics and then there are those who will happily spend $800 knowing their lawsuit will be worth 100x that.

[farmalljr]

I'd also be questioning that jailbroken tesla drive motor. Looks like a lawsuit waiting to happen. Perhaps worse, if a driver got in a wreck. Could mean jail time. 

[allgoodtreasures]

Where on eBay's policies does it say you can include a business card with your own personal website?

if anyone has the link on ebay stating this - please provide it. Thank you.

[luckythewinner]

Can I also state there that additional services can be found on my website and refer the customer to my About page?

eBay policy is very clear that you are not allowed to: 

• In any communications with another eBay member, refer to or promote external websites that facilitate sales outside of eBay
• List an item and then mention or link to additional identical or related items for sale outside of eBay

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/payment-policies/offers-buy-sell-outside-ebay-policy?id=4272

I do not see how you could refer them to your website and "make them aware of said services while adhering to eBay's policies"

[kh-stanley1]

Hi everyone,

Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread HERE if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thank you for understanding.