Couldn't post a sale due to the word "BATTERIES" in the title - got price gouging warning.

[retiredinfl]

Really weird.  I was selling a DRONE that included 3 BATTERIES and eBay kept rejecting the sale because they were accusing me of PRICE GOUGING for some (at the time) unknown reason.  It seem since the drone I was selling was advertised for $750 and the words "TOTAL OF 3 BATTERIES" were in the title so they thought I was price gouging batteries for $750!  I went nuts for hours trying to figure it out.  I finally and reluctantly chatted with  "support" and after 30 minutes on "hold" they told me it was due to the AI they used to prevent price gouging and I should take the work BATTERIES out of the title (which was very important to the sale).  Ultimately I used the misspelled word BATTRIES and while it looked like I couldn't spell at least it worked.  You'd think they would have some clue about this but I guess not.   Just SO frustrating!

[jonathankirkland]

Interesting.

Bizarre, but interesting.

PS: If you ever have a problem in the future it's better to try to contact ebay during business hours on their official Facebook page. The phone support is notoriously bad and slow.

[a_c_green]

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@retiredinfl wrote:

Really weird.  I was selling a DRONE that included 3 BATTERIES and eBay kept rejecting the sale because they were accusing me of PRICE GOUGING for some (at the time) unknown reason. 

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The bots tend to be very touchy about keywords in titles, but I don't think you're going to lose much by not having the word "batteries" in the title. People will be using the word "drone" to find your drone, not the word "batteries," and you can use other methods to make it clear that batteries are included, such as a Subtitle (at extra cost) or Item Specifics (e.g. "Batteries Included:" YES). Good luck...

[jayjaspersgarage]

Sometimes I add some historical info on the locations of the matchbook covers I sell.  A few months ago I included some wiki history on John Adams having lived or stayed at a very old hotel on the east coast.

I was flagged for providing contact info in my description.  lol.  Sure, I was going to have people contact the 2nd President about my matchcover.

It was pathetic so I deleted the interesting info and moved on.

[samiam60]

I get dinged on pinup girl stuff.  They allow other sellers to post complete full frontal nudity photos, but I try to sell an old black and white photography book on the female body and  they take it down.   

Another one on Bonanza is "Redskins".  It is allowed here but not there.  

[retiredinfl]

Actually the word “batteries” was most important in my opinion as they sell for $125 each and the kits generally comes with just one. It catches a prospective buyers attention.   I learneded that in kollidge marketingses klass way back in the 60’s.  😄😄. The title (or the first 5 words of no separate title is possible) is the most important part of any advertisement.  Purpose is to catch ones eye and make it more noticeable then another similar ad whether it actually matters wrt the item or not.  Like the word “SALE” does.  

[katzrul15]

Doesn't have to do with Drones.  Batteries were a pandemic item in short supply at one time, thus the price gouging warning.

E-Bay has not updated the list that was put in place in 2020.  Those items still draw a price gouging warning if not an approved seller.

[dogchow747]

I would put something like "With Extras!" in the title.

That's a good attention getter.

[retiredinfl]

Obviously……which was why it was so stupid.  What makes a seller “approved?”   One would think 22 years without a single  issue might help. The pop up message I got said I have been accused of price gouging  before.  Pretty insulting if you ask me.  😄

[retiredinfl]

But not as good as “with 3 batteries!!!”   🤪

[dogchow747]

Yeah... I know.

It all seems silly. I do understand there are some realities here.

"My name is Mr. Server. I make terrible decisions. Trust me with your livelihood"

[pikabo-icu]

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@retiredinfl wrote:

But not as good as “with 3 batteries!!!”   🤪

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What about using "3 power cells" ?

I know it's ridiculous but....