Competing seller repeatedly using duplicate fixed price listings to “crowd” my items out.

[greyparrot]

So, I recently began listing a seasonal item, in differing quantities using fixed price listings.  Soon afterwards, a competing seller of the same item/quantity (5) began adding duplicate listing of same. The only difference in his listings are variations in the title. Other than that, item,  #, and shipping are identical.
I have repeatedly reported these duplicates and, after a few days, they DO get removed…only to reappear shortly thereafter. This was by FAR my most popular seller last year and I am so perplexed that there doesn’t appear to be any sanctions for repeated violations of the duplicate listing rule.

Thoughts appreciated.

[stainlessenginecovers]

There is: 1st time, warning; 2nd time, 3 day suspension (from listing anything new and the offending items are removed); 3rd time- 7 day suspension; After that, permaban. 

[albertabrightalberta]

Each removal results in a ding to the seller's account. Enough of those violations will mean the end of his ebay career. 

[onlinecentral]

To the posters in messages 1, 2 and 3.
When I go to the WebPage https://www.ebay.com/help/home
Then enter duplicate listing as the search criteria

There are policies that prohibit Duplicate Listings from the Same Seller.

Clarify for us which policy you think this other seller has violated.

[sapphire_studio]

Yeah I am also confused as to what exactly the problem is. Somebody is posting the same item as you and you're upset because they're copying you in the quantity and price that they have chosen? There's no rules against that. It is a free market economy. Even if they were stealing the photos you took there's not really a lot you could do.

[ebooksdiva]

Let me see if I’m understanding your issue.

You listed an item. You have a competitor who listed the same item for the same price same quantity as you and worded their title differently? 
Not a reportable offense , since eBay allows it, you agreed to i when you signed the User Agreement at sign up. Images, Videos and Text policy.  
You reported them, they get removed and are back up again.. why because they didn’t violate any policy. 
Duplicate Listing Policy  

What is the policy?

• We don't allow more than one fixed price listing of an identical item at the same time from the same seller. This includes:
  • Listing an identical item in different categories or listing an identical item using different usernames
  • Listings that aren't significantly different, such as adding an inconsequential bonus item with the same identical item in two listings

• Identical auction-style listings are allowed if they:
  • Have the same start price
  • Have the same reserve price
  • Have the same title and description
  • Don't use the Buy It Now option

[dy60609]

@greyparrot 

I'm right there with you, and understand the problem.

I was selling an item that I manufactured in my garage.

The item was for vintage Chrysler Corp. vehicles. I sold mine with year/make/model all in one listing.

Along comes a seller. Actually purchased from me on 2-3 occasions. I expect they purchase from me, and then sold the items to someone else. Not a problem.  I got what I wanted for them.

Sales got slow. One day I do a little search. That seller has started having the item manufactured, and now has 11 "different" listings for the exact item.

Eleven listings for the exact item. Just changing the "year group" in the title to beat the "duplicate listing policy". It is the "IDENTICAL SAME ITEM" in all 11 listings with just a slight change in the title. Skip the rest of the words, BUT IT IS A DUCK.  🙂

[earthdreamer]

Your competitor looks determined to corner the market on praying mantis eggs.

While some of their listings could fall into the duplicate classification, most have the differentiation of quantity in the individual offerings. 

As far as I know, offering a bundle of 5, say, differs from offering a bundle of 3, though this may still be open to interpretation of the rule. 

All the same, instead of worrying what your competitors are doing, your energy may be more fruitfully applied to your own listings. 

[ten_o_nine]

Why don't you do the same, instead of selling 5 in one listing, break them to 2 and 3, and instead of 10, list 3, 2, and 5.

[sapphire_studio]

Amazon does this all the time to sellers. People manufacture something unique and once they start doing pretty well Amazon will knock it off,.undercut them and hide their listing.

I still don't understand why people are referencing the duplicate listing policy in regards to what the op is talking about when it doesn't apply.

[toomuchstuffagain35]

Well it does if the competitor is violating it which they are from what the OP states.

My understanding of the OP is that the competitor is creating a listing virtually identical to the OP's and then 'flooding' the category with duplicates (of their OWN first listing copied from the OP's).

[sapphire_studio]

Ohhhhhh I get it now. Totally makes sense they have duplicates themselves (not just a single duplicate to the Ops listing). 

[johnson_junk_company]

Check the item numbers, they are not duplicate listings. You can't even publish a duplicate listing. They are selling the same product as you are and there is nothing wrong with that! Lower your price or change your shipping to be more competitive. 

[janet9988]

Technically, your listings should be set up as variation style since you use the same tactic and are just changing the quantity.

[greyparrot]

No, they are absolutely violating the duplicate listing rule for fixed price listings! 

For example:  A seller lists a fixed price listing for 5 chocolate tootsie-pops for 10.00, plus free ship. Items available = 15 (or whatever number).
Same seller lists a fixed price listing for 5 totally delicious, yummy chocolate tootsie-pops for 10.00, plus free ship. Items available = 15 (or whatever number).

No sanctions seem to exist for violations of this rule, other than a cancelling of the duplicate listing (when reported) which can take days. The violating seller simply re-lists the duplicates the same day they are removed. : (

lollipops widget offered. The seller has selling. identical items of which