Ebay removing items unjustly

[jk1946]

What can I do? Ebay has removed 5 of my listings for non-firing replica pistols saying they were blank firing guns and violated ebay policy. Absolutely NONE of them are blank firing guns! There was nothing in any listings to suggest they were blank firing guns. Non-firing means they can't fire anything including blanks. Ebay also says I can't relist any of the items. I don't understand because none of them actually violate any ebay policies. You can't directly contact or speak to anyone in the department that removed the listings. If you call customer support they will say they can't do anything. You can put in an appeal that could take weeks to process. At the end they will just side with ebay's "back office" group that polices the listings if they are right or not. Of course now it's almost impossible to speak to anyone in authority. Calls are forwarded to the Philippines or anyplace besides an ebay corporate office. If you speak to a supervisor in customer support they might tell you that you will get a phone call from someone higher up. That will never happen. I don't mean to vent but I am frustrated. I've done this dance before. I don't understand why ebay does not support their sellers.

[popblox]

Hi, did your listings follow all the listing requirements for replicas?

*The seller follows all applicable government regulations

*The item has a blaze orange barrel plug permanently attached

*The picture shows the actual item for sale

*The item description has the following disclaimer: "This replica gun contains the colored markings required by law, including a permanently attached orange plug."

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/prohibited-restricted-items/replica-toy-prop-firearms-policy?id=5...

[mr_lincoln]

Hi @jk1946 ,

I had a Hubley toy Cap Gun removed once despite it complying to eBay Policy.  I never tried listing it or others again.  I sold it elsewhere. 

Mr. L

[jk1946]

The item listings were 100% compliant with all ebay policies and regulations as well as all Federal laws and regulations. The items were also 100% compliant with all ebay policies and regulations as well as all Federal laws and regulations. I've been selling on ebay for quite a few years. I make sure my listings do not violate any ebay rules or regulations.

[popblox]

Ok, just checking. If all your listings were in compliance, you might try sending a message with a brief explanation to eBay for Business on Facebook - the CS there far exceeds any of the chatbots/callbacks here. They might be able help or at least provide more of an explanation (include your name, eBay account email address, and zip code). 

https://www.facebook.com/eBayForBusiness/

[wastingtime101]

Did you use the word "non-firing" in the listing? The bots may have caught the word "firing" and performed an automatic removal.

[jk1946]

The listing includes the words replica prop gun. The bots have now been programmed for the word "gun" in listings. I guess that's supposed to send up a flag and a human is supposed to check and remove. Of course the bot doesn't distinguish cap gun, prop gun, non-firing gun or replica gun. The "human" is supposed to do that. I'm guessing the "human" thought that if the bot flagged it there must be something wrong. But who knows?

[jk1946]

I really don't think the bots are looking for the word "firing" in listings.

[jk1946]

eBay for Business on Facebook sounds like it's worth a try. It used to be nice years ago when a seller could actually talk with a manager. Thank you for the suggestion.

[mikhirs]

I tried to list a Stuart rifle vise which had a photo of a rife in the vise.  It was immediately  "shot" down by Ebay.

Oh well, just listed it without that photo.  

[mikhirs]

whoops, rifle, not "rife"

[jk1946]

I was lucky today. I contacted customer support after 8:00 AM PST and spoke with someone stateside instead of the Philippines call service. The problem has been resolved and the listings are being reinstated. Maybe timing and luck has a lot to do with dealing with problems. The key is getting to the right person. And WARNING!

the bots are searching for key words. They can remove a listing without any humans being involved.