Determining Price Gouging

[holisticyouhealth]

Who is determining what amount an item is selling for is price gouging? And who determines the products that are essential? I've just had kids multi vitamins listings, elderberry, and vitamin C listings taken down due to a price gouging policy? I've sold many and have all positive feedbacks from buyers.  Besides competitors and random users using the price gouging report option, who sits determining what is too much to sell an item for? Sellers are selling the same items for double the amount.. I just dont agree with this. I sell on Ebay to try and make extra money. I dont sell on ebay to lose m ok ney or break even.. 

[mam98031]

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@kensgiftshop wrote:

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@wendharriso_0 wrote:
I bought my work shoes for $100.

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So, what do work boots have to do with the cleaning supplies you were selling?

Leave the stuff on the store shelves, so people that need it can buy it and stop trying to make a huge profit.

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Some people just don't get it or recognize the PPE shortage, paper product shortage, cleaning supplies, etc.  

[wendharriso_0]

More incorrect assumptions.  1. that everyone one buy things off shelf in store 2. Huge profit. if someone does buy something off a shelf, wouldn’t that mean it was available? (Rhetorical question) no need for reply.  Personally, I prefer having the freedom, rights and privileges to make my own decisions of what I buy, where I buy it, how much I pay for something.  Some people would rather be controlled by the government.  Live and let live. 

[wendharriso_0]

Agreed.  Some people just don’t get it. And clearly, some people have issues with someone that chooses and has right to use a service to buy a product on ebay for whatever reason (convenience, unable to leave home, prefer shopping online, etc) shouldn’t be able to or have access to a cleaning item they may want.  

[mam98031]

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@wendharriso_0 wrote:

More incorrect assumptions.  1. that everyone one buy things off shelf in store 2. Huge profit. if someone does buy something off a shelf, wouldn’t that mean it was available? (Rhetorical question) no need for reply.  Personally, I prefer having the freedom, rights and privileges to make my own decisions of what I buy, where I buy it, how much I pay for something.  Some people would rather be controlled by the government.  Live and let live. 

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In your community this may not have happened but it did absolutely happen in many.  It happened here.  Where YES certain items were on the shelf and then there was none.  And that was directly caused by people seeing an opportunity to sell some things online for increased profits due to the onset of the Pandemic.  And it was directly related to other people that were scared and they started hoarding certain supplies because they were concerned about the effects this illness would have on them.

Because it didn't happen in your community does not mean it didn't happen.  It just means it didn't happen in your community.

Price gouging laws exist for a reason.  If it was only an occasional issue the laws would likely not exist.  But that is not the facts of the matter.

Ebay has to adhere to these laws.  Like it or not that is a fact too.

If people would "live and let live" we would have no need to be concerned at all about price gouging nor would there be any need whatsoever for laws to govern this.  

[mam98031]

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@wendharriso_0 wrote:

Agreed.  Some people just don’t get it. And clearly, some people have issues with someone that chooses and has right to use a service to buy a product on ebay for whatever reason (convenience, unable to leave home, prefer shopping online, etc) shouldn’t be able to or have access to a cleaning item they may want.  

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You do have the right to choose as we all do.  That right does not extend however to dictating to Ebay or any other company what they will allow to be sold in THEIR store or on THEIR site.

Your rights on Ebay on  this site and any other site are they rights that site extends to you.  Ebay has the right to refuse service just as a store or other type of business has the right to refuse service.  Ebay's site, Ebay's rules.  Not your rules or mine.  This is Ebay's website and Ebay holds all the rights within the laws of the land.

Your desires don't trump Ebay rules.  

[wendharriso_0]

More assumptions.  You told me to leave things on shelf.  Still making presumptions after given information that items weren’t purchased off store shelf.    It seemed contradictory to say the items are on the shelf and not on the shelf at same time.  3.  Assume people are not aware that item were, are, have been on some shelves and not others 4.  Assume that what you may consider price gouging is price gouging.  Maybe I feel target price gouges when they purchase an item for .50 and sell for $5.00 or when I buy a piece of furniture that cost the retailer $100 and they sell for $600.  But, I have the option of purchasing elsewhere.  5. Presuming that folks that need the items or feel they want to shop and buy where they want and be the decider of what they purchase and how much of their money they want to spend should actually be determined by someone else.  And, It’s really no one’s business what someone else chooses to do with their personal belongings.  Take care and be safe.

[wendharriso_0]

Yes, that’s correct.  Ebay is pricing the items and providing platform to sell them.  

[mam98031]

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@wendharriso_0 wrote:

Yes, that’s correct.  Ebay is pricing the items and providing platform to sell them.  

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Ebay does not price items or sell items on their platform.  Seller do.

[wendharriso_0]

When creating a listing, Ebay suggests and automatically populates selling price.  

[mam98031]

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@wendharriso_0 wrote:

When creating a listing, Ebay suggests and automatically populates selling price.  

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If you are doing a sell similar or relist.  Sure they do that.  When you create a totally new listing they do not or at least I have never had them populate the price for me.

Ebay suggestions ore recommendations are just that.  Suggestions or Recommendations.  Sellers Choose.  Your choice.  We the sellers decide the price.  

[soh.maryl]

Why don't you just report the listing to eBay instead?

[wendharriso_0]

Spoiler

Yes, I may choose to buy or list an item.  Or not.  exactly my point.  My choice.  However, I do not have a choice in what ebay decides to do..insert listing price, manipulate those that they know will play right in their hand to “locate” items to report so that they can end the listing and keep the fees.  Just as Ebay has already priced the item when listing created, lets you know they know exactly what items are listed..when it’s created, after and any other detail.  If they didn’t want the items listed, they know how to prevent it, but they have not to.   Don’t be fooled by the job posting for volunteer reporters/policing to “help” fight a cause.  That is only an offer to work for for them for free.  They know who to manipulate to help them make $$ by ending listings for items they are fully aware are listed, when listed and for how much.  They will have the “reporters” as the fall guy when this practice is questioned (not their fault they’re inviting folks to list items so they can end it and make easy $$, they only did it because barney fife made a report 😐 and in the meantime have free labor and prey on those that have nothing better to do but spend all day looking for items to hopefully report.  At end of day, all it’s done is making ebay $$ and giving them free labor.  Just because they have policies they posted somewhere on website but are proving to everyone otherwise (saying something does not make it true, as evidenced by listings on site) as well also believing that they are using any policy for any reason other than to have something to point to when people complain so they’ll shut up and using as way to recruit for more self-appointed price police and manipulating people to buy into it all and defend it).  In reality, it’s only to deflect from the real issue....Ebay’s creation of the entire issue.  No buyer, no seller, no volunteer.  Just Ebay.  But, if they can get everybody focused on putting themselves on their volunteer list to make them money and out supporting it, it works out.  Have a good one.  Take care

[mam98031]

Yes, I may choose to buy or list an item.  Or not.  exactly my point.  My choice.  However, I do not have a choice in what ebay decides to do..insert listing price, manipulate those that they know will play right in their hand to “locate” items to report so that they can end the listing and keep the fees.  

I know.  It is easy to forget that Ebay actually owns the website and it is Ebay that determines the rules.  It isn't a democracy or by popular demand.  Just like any other company, they make the decisions.  We on the other hand have hired Ebay to provide a service within the rules in which Ebay sets forth.  Some of those rules we may not like or support, but that will not change the fact that its Ebay's site.  

When Ebay ends a listing.  The vast majority of the time the fees for listing are refunded.  It is only in the case of repeat offenders or some other unusual action happened that Ebay would not refund those fees.

Just as Ebay has already priced the item when listing created, lets you know they know exactly what items are listed..when it’s created, after and any other detail.  

Ebay does not set pricing on ANY listings.  Sellers do.  Ebay may suggest a price or tell us what the trending price is, but Ebay does not "set pricing".  That would be called Price Fixing and it is illegal for Ebay to participate in that behavior.

If they didn’t want the items listed, they know how to prevent it, but they have not to.  

Of course.  But within reason.  We have such flexibility in the way we can list that some sellers have gotten very creative in how to get around the immediate detection of a banned item.  So sometimes it can be more complex of an issue that some of us may realize.

As to the other stuff you mention.  It is common for those that disagree with others to say stuff like that.  It is an effort to dismiss other posters points of view.  Your opinion is no more important or less important than anyone else's.  

[wendharriso_0]

I stated facts.   You’ve made it clear you choose to ignore them.  I don’t have any opinion on that (altho I get the sense you would like me to insert one so you can continue to share your opinions) 😉

[mam98031]

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@wendharriso_0 wrote:

I stated facts.   You’ve made it clear you choose to ignore them.  I don’t have any opinion on that (altho I get the sense you would like me to insert one so you can continue to share your opinions) 😉

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What?  I didn't "ignore" anything, I responded directly to what you said.  What is it that you are trying to say?