eBay

sin-n-dex · ‎03-06-2023

I had a buyer approach me today to let me know something they bought is listed in my store more than once. They cited the "duplicate listing policy" and how eBay is going to crack down on me if I'm reported by someone.

I might have 5 German coins from 1973, but they are not in exactly the same condition, so I put a roman numeral to identify the coin in the picture with the title (which I see on the packing slip while picking).

My understanding about the duplicate listing policy is to keep sellers from flooding the index with identical listings with all the same description, title, photo, price, etc. It's not to stop me from listing 3 New Zealand 5 dollar notes that have different serial numbers. I sell what's in the picture, not a similar copy of. If it's not actually identical I think I can list both of them. When I have identical stuff, I just list one, and relist them at some point later as they sell. But that's for really identical stuff (like product from the various Mints I buy from, they ship me 5, they are exactly the same, so I list 1... I don't like to do a QTY in case I make changes when I relist it, like raise the price, so I list one).

If I buy 50 German silver coins and some are the same issue, they're all somewhat circulated, so I don't think those are the same at all, and if I listed one, you wouldn't want to receive the other one that I didn't list or show a picture of, you'd want exactly what was in the picture.

I think the buyer is being a little over zealous on this duplicate listing policy. I replied to explain if it's the same, it's listed one time, if they are slightly different due to faults, condition, etc, then I list each one and you receive the one in the listing you buy.

C.

bill.purvis2012 · ‎03-06-2023

The buyer needs to mind their own business. Your business is between EbY and you. Of course, you can list like items that have some variation.

slippinjimmy · ‎03-06-2023

I don't generally take unsolicited advice on how to sell from random strangers.

Sure I might take a few seconds to check out the comment but if I know the stranger is incorrect that would be the end of it.

I have a couple of times received this type of message about an error in my listing when the person was absolutely correct so it was helpful.

Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep

stainlessenginecovers · ‎03-06-2023

As long as a couple words are different ALONG with the price, you should be fine.

The AI Bots can pick up on 'very similar' when 'pinning you with the 'duplicate listing' removal etc.' but if you keep at least 2 words different in the Title as well as the price, even by .01- it should keep the AI Bot Police away.

deltilogical · ‎03-06-2023

Buyer is incorrect. Distinct items posted individually are not duplicates.

farmalljr · ‎03-06-2023

I sell postcards. Sometimes I will have more than one of the same card. Problem is, they are NOT the same. As long as your titles are not duplicate, they will not be considered duplicate. I use a postcard inventory number in all of my postcard titles. Like your roman numeral system, it asperates items and they are not duplicates.

Your coins are fine, just make your your titles for each coin are slightly different, like you have been doing. eBay generally will NOT allow you to post two identical titles. Every one of your coins are slightly different. This is the only way to assure a buyer they are getting something EXACTLY as described. Your buyer doesn't know what they are talking about. Bet they'd be upset if they got a coin slightly different than described. It would open you up to NAD return cases.

Same reason why ALL of my postcards (virtually) have their own listing. Slight differences make a difference to some buyers. If they are brand new, that's different. Circulated/used/vintage all have variations.

sin-n-dex · ‎03-06-2023

@stainlessenginecovers wrote:
As long as a couple words are different ALONG with the price, you should be fine.

The AI Bots can pick up on 'very similar' when 'pinning you with the 'duplicate listing' removal etc.' but if you keep at least 2 words different in the Title as well as the price, even by .01- it should keep the AI Bot Police away.

I run that dupe listing thing, but it doesn't work over 10K in listings. It would pick up stuff it thought was the same (same title, although word order might be different). Once I put the lot number or identifier (the "M03" or "T113" that makes it unique), the bot didn't have an issue with it.

C.

inhawaii · ‎03-06-2023

How about something in the title or text like "COIN #003".

Would that help?

Harbor Lights - Boz Scaggs

sin-n-dex · ‎03-06-2023

@farmalljr wrote:
I sell postcards. Sometimes I will have more than one of the same card. Problem is, they are NOT the same. As long as your titles are not duplicate, they will not be considered duplicate. I use a postcard inventory number in all of my postcard titles. Like your roman numeral system, it asperates items and they are not duplicates.

Your coins are fine, just make your your titles for each coin are slightly different, like you have been doing. eBay generally will NOT allow you to post two identical titles. Every one of your coins are slightly different. This is the only way to assure a buyer they are getting something EXACTLY as described. Your buyer doesn't know what they are talking about. Bet they'd be upset if they got a coin slightly different than described. It would open you up to NAD return cases.
Same reason why ALL of my postcards (virtually) have their own listing. Slight differences make a difference to some buyers. If they are brand new, that's different. Circulated/used/vintage all have variations.

All my IOM crowns are supposed to be "brand new" but when those were minted, the mint dumped them in buckets so they all got banged around. Some have fingerprints and hazy spots even though they are all "brand new". I listed those as "almost uncirculated" with a disclaimer in the listing that they came from mint rolls but were not gently treated by the mint prior to going into the rolls. Buyers seem to be very happy with these coins despite the fact none are perfect, but none of them have the exact same dings.

I also use a unique picture for each listing which I think the bot can identify (as photos won't be the same byte size).

C.

cardxcraft · ‎03-06-2023

A true coin or stamp collector would never say this, because they would realize when it comes to stamps and coins, grading does matter.

For example, mint hinged, mint lightly hinged, heavy hinged, fine, very fine, extra fine, superb, circulated, uncirculated, etc, etc.

I have commemorative issues that are identical except they were issued serially.... number 1 is more valuable than number 465. I would individually list these.

Anyways, I feel like no explanation is needed...collectors know the difference.

@sin-n-dex wrote:
I had a buyer approach me today to let me know something they bought is listed in my store more than once. They cited the "duplicate listing policy" and how eBay is going to crack down on me if I'm reported by someone.

I might have 5 German coins from 1973, but they are not in exactly the same condition, so I put a roman numeral to identify the coin in the picture with the title (which I see on the packing slip while picking).

My understanding about the duplicate listing policy is to keep sellers from flooding the index with identical listings with all the same description, title, photo, price, etc. It's not to stop me from listing 3 New Zealand 5 dollar notes that have different serial numbers. I sell what's in the picture, not a similar copy of. If it's not actually identical I think I can list both of them. When I have identical stuff, I just list one, and relist them at some point later as they sell. But that's for really identical stuff (like product from the various Mints I buy from, they ship me 5, they are exactly the same, so I list 1... I don't like to do a QTY in case I make changes when I relist it, like raise the price, so I list one).

If I buy 50 German silver coins and some are the same issue, they're all somewhat circulated, so I don't think those are the same at all, and if I listed one, you wouldn't want to receive the other one that I didn't list or show a picture of, you'd want exactly what was in the picture.

I think the buyer is being a little over zealous on this duplicate listing policy. I replied to explain if it's the same, it's listed one time, if they are slightly different due to faults, condition, etc, then I list each one and you receive the one in the listing you buy.

C.

sin-n-dex · ‎03-06-2023

@inhawaii wrote:
How about something in the title or text like "COIN #003".
Would that help?

I do that already... Roman Numerals when there's just a few (coins or medals, they aren't necessarily even the same metal composition or design, the point is for me to find it fast when it sells). On Stamps it's like C01, D15, E99... tells me the number of the lot and which box it's in.

C.

farmalljr · ‎03-06-2023

@sin-n-dex wrote:
@farmalljr wrote:
I sell postcards. Sometimes I will have more than one of the same card. Problem is, they are NOT the same. As long as your titles are not duplicate, they will not be considered duplicate. I use a postcard inventory number in all of my postcard titles. Like your roman numeral system, it asperates items and they are not duplicates.

Your coins are fine, just make your your titles for each coin are slightly different, like you have been doing. eBay generally will NOT allow you to post two identical titles. Every one of your coins are slightly different. This is the only way to assure a buyer they are getting something EXACTLY as described. Your buyer doesn't know what they are talking about. Bet they'd be upset if they got a coin slightly different than described. It would open you up to NAD return cases.
Same reason why ALL of my postcards (virtually) have their own listing. Slight differences make a difference to some buyers. If they are brand new, that's different. Circulated/used/vintage all have variations.
All my IOM crowns are supposed to be "brand new" but when those were minted, the mint dumped them in buckets so they all got banged around. Some have fingerprints and hazy spots even though they are all "brand new". I listed those as "almost uncirculated" with a disclaimer in the listing that they came from mint rolls but were not gently treated by the mint prior to going into the rolls. Buyers seem to be very happy with these coins despite the fact none are perfect, but none of them have the exact same dings.

I also use a unique picture for each listing which I think the bot can identify (as photos won't be the same byte size).

C.

When I am speaking about "new" I am referring to something like a figurine in a package. Coins, postcards, stamps, etc. that people are collecting, generally, condition is everything. Those "new" coins you sell, they are the same thing as a vintage coin. Collectors want certain conditions. Listing them individually is the correct process IMO.

You are not selling these like a bullion dealer generally sells, you are selling coins more like a coin shop. If I buy a general kilo bar, you may or may not get dents/scratches. That's just how they are sold. If I were buying something vintage, like a Engelhard bar, I would expect individual photos of each. The Engelhard bars are more than metal content, they have collector value. Likewise with your coins, the collector/condition value is part of the price and desirability.

Really, there is no issue with how you are selling the coins. Just be sure to use something in the title that makes each title a little different, like you have been doing. If buyers just wanted new rolls, I'm sure they could get them. Then they would have to accept whatever condition they came. They are able to buy individual coins from you, condition specific.