Confusing Reason for Account Suspension

[whiteelephantsales]

I am an experienced ebay user. I’ve been buying since the late ‘90’s and “hobby” selling since 2009. One of the items I have listed periodically for auction is diabetic test strips. I have done so for a few years. This past April, my listing was pulled down by ebay and they stated I violated the medical device policy. I used the same description template I have always used, with of course updating the product dates and photos to match the current item listed. I contacted ebay via chat and the rep could not figure out why the listing was pulled. There are anywhere from 8,000-10,000 test strip listings consistently running on the ebay platform. The rep helped me put the listing back up. (I was blocked from just doing a relist). My product sold and a few weeks later I put another one up for sale. That sold with no issues. I have always only received excellent feedback with all these sales. I thought ebay had perhaps made an error and all was resolved. Nope! This past week I put up another test strip item for sale and I received an email from ebay saying I have continued to violate their medical device policy and my account has been suspended for 7 days. I can not post any items for sale and they said my current listings were not available in search. The 7 day suspension is not a big deal for me as it is just a hobby, but I want to know what the issue is with my listing. Why is a (presumed) algorithm targeting my account with this, and how do I resolve it? “General” customer service reps have no answers, because well, it makes no obvious sense why the test strip listing gets pulled. And, to make matters even more confusing, I had used ebay’s available product description for the listing so, obviously, the product is allowed. Is there any specific department to contact about unjust account suspension? And, to prevent this from happening again? I would like to continue to post test strip items on ebay. 

[dentalsales4u · Accepted solution]

A couple things, when you have a listing pulled, never use that listing again. You need a fresh new listing.

The bots will continue to find it and pull it. I found that out the hard way with x-rays.

Secondly, eBay policy has changed regarding RX products. If the test strips you list are considered RX and has that on the box, they are no longer allowed.

I had some dental tubing pulled as it had RX on the box because it was tubing to be used for medication during dental surgery.

I believe test strips are only available via prescription, therefore, no longer able to list.

Just because others are still listed, doesn't mean it's ok. They will eventually be pulled also, but will take time as there are so many.

[collectfest]

They took it down. Don't list them if you value your account. As to the logic of it all I would refer you to the 100's if not thousands of post already made on the subject. In the all content search bar type in restricted account or item taken down. This question has been answered.

Acceptance of the answer and possible outcomes and consequences is your choice and within your control

[wrong66]

How do you resolve it? By NEVER listing anything even remotely like it again. Your first mistake was calling CS, which set you up for the fall. Should you decide to list it again, even after a year or more, be prepared to have your account permanently banned from selling. As in "forever".

[mam98031]

Keep in mind that your length of time on Ebay nor your feedback matters if you are breaking an Ebay policy.  And because others have the same type of thing listed is also not a barometer for you to go by.  Ebay will catch them in their own time, but it isn't a defense to say, well the other guy is doing it.

Here is the policy on your issue.  This is the first place you should go to when you have an issue, the policy pages.

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/prohibited-restricted-items/medicine-medical-devices-healthcare-p...

You have received great advice from the other posters.  When Ebay removes a listing because it violates policy, do NOT list it again because you think Ebay made a mistake or simply because you want to.  You will always lose this battle.  It is after all Ebay's site.  I think you got off lucky with just a 7 day suspension, it could have been much worse.

There is an obvious reason why the items were removed.  Diabetic test strips require a prescription.  Anything that requires a prescription can not be sold on Ebay.  It is not only against the Ebay rules, it is against the laws of the land / country.