False Counterfeit Claim

[stevan_beast]

Hello,

I'm trying to figure out the process of appealing a counterfeit item claim. I tried calling and eBay representative and received wishy-washy information. It's pretty frustrating to know that their AI system detected this wrong and now I seem to be in a waiting period before I even get the approval to relist my genuine item.

Does anyone know how long the appeals process take?

Is this process going to be reviewed by and actual Human?

Will they send me an email or update?

Will they give me an actual reason behind the flag in the first place?

[caldreamer]

EBAY uses Ai bots for everything.   They don't give you a reason why item was flagged as counterfeit.   I would not relist this item as this could cause EBAY to terminate your account.   If that happens, this is permanent, and no appeals allowed.

[soh.maryl]

If/when a buyer opens a not as described case with eBay, you can appeal, but, frankly, eBay sides with the buyer at least 90% of the time.  Your best approach is to send a prepaid return label and refund on receipt of the item.  

[stevan_beast]

The item was flagged like 10 minutes after I posted it. I just wish they would give me a reason why because I want to prevent this in the future. I'm looking at other listings and they were very similar to mine, photos, wording, price, etc..  

I literally went to Walmart and bought the watch on clearance and then listed it on eBay the same day. 

[toysaver]

If you bought a luxury brand item at a thrift store there's a good chance it's counterfeit.   Most cull the stuff in the back and have websites or ready buyers to get rid of genuine pricey goods.

[onefootflipper1]

You are never going to win a counterfeit claim of any sort on ebay, regardless of how real the item is. Just list it on another website. If it is relatively low value then just set it aside for a few months and slide it in with a lot of similar items and just let it be seen in the photos, don't mention it in any way.

[m60driver]

Unless it is a relatively valuable item it is not worth the effort and aggravation appealing any counterfeit claim as odds are you will not win the appeal.  In addition, when I put on my tinfoil hat, contacting Ebay over any small value amount will count against you in the long run.

[reallynicestamps]

WalMart?
Was this  a "counterfeit" claim or a VeRO complaint?

Since there was no transaction, the otherwise sensible advice about accepting the return is not applicable.

In a VeRO complaint, your beef is with the manufacturer, not with eBay. Many manufacturers only want their products sold by their approved dealers.

I tried calling and eBay representative and received wishy-washy information.

The phone reps have a terrible reputation for getting you off the phone as soon as possible even if that means giving you the advice you want to hear instead of the advice you need to have.

Here are your options for contacting Ebay Customer Service. Please be aware that for social media CS, you send them a Private Message and briefly explain what your problem or issue is. Feel free to leave your Name, address, phone number and/or your email address in this message. It is private and secure and it may help to speed up the response for you.


https://www.facebook.com/ebay -Message button in upper right on landing page.
#204760888466
https://www.instagram.com/ebayforsellers/


https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/How-do-I-contact-Customer-Support/m-p/32016431#M1783851 -> Automated Assistant, type AGENT -> enter. You will then get more options.


The social media Chat accounts are covered by trained eBay employees with some authority.
And you get a transcript so you can compare what you heard with what you were told.
 

[bonanza125]

Nothing is going to happen unfortunately. Appealing it will do no good. Find another website to sell it on which you wouldn't have an issue. Fighting it will just be a waste of your time.

[fashunu4eeuh]

Hi @stevan_beast 

Over the last two decades i’ve been here, i have seen this scenario play out multiple times:

1)Item gets removed (for whatever reason).

2)Seller appeals.

3)eBay approves relisting.

4)Seller relists.

5)item gets removed again, and a steeper penalty is levied for violating the same policy again.

The risk of relisting under these circumstances rarely outweighs the hassle and potential effect on one’s account.

If an item gets removed, even incorrectly, you are safer not trying to relist. I would not do it because one possible outcome is that policy violations can affect Search result placement. Would you chance the overall lowering of your listings in Search results for the opportunity to list a single item?

[tobaccocardyahoo]

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@stevan_beast wrote:

The item was flagged like 10 minutes after I posted it. I just wish they would give me a reason why because I want to prevent this in the future. I'm looking at other listings and they were very similar to mine, photos, wording, price, etc..  

I literally went to Walmart and bought the watch on clearance and then listed it on eBay the same day. 

---

Retail arbitrage is no longer a safe way to source your inventory for Ebay sale.

Many manufacturers have engaged IO enforcement companies to challenge the authenticity of their brands which are offered on Ebay. If the Ebay seller is not an authorized reseller of the brand, the complaint is sent to Ebay.

Most of those manufacturers have also modified the terms of their warranty to exclude items purchased from other than their authorized resellers, this creates further doubt about authenticity, since when a buyer purchases the item, listed as new, they expect the full manufacturer's warranty. Some manufacturer's will not allow the registration of the warranty.

Other internet marketplaces will not allow you to offer many brands if you are not authorized. Ebay is definitely more seller friendly, at least 10 minutes more friendly in your case.

[pikabo-icu]

@stevan_beast 

If it's a VERO removal, you can contact the rights owner and present evidence the item is authentic.

I've seen listings reposted after getting the ok from the VERO company.

There are other venues to sell your watch. As posted by my esteemed for friends, relisting it here is a risk.

Didn't they explain in an email or a message why it was removed?

The one time (MANY years ago) I had an item flagged & removed, I was able to relist it. The complaint about my listing was "one of the photos had glare and instead of black the item looked silver/grey". In my opinion that's just plain dumb but that was the reason.

Check your messages & email and see if there's any explanation. 

[luckythewinner]

Will they give me an actual reason behind the flag in the first place?

eBay will never give you specifics about why it was flagged. Although that is certainly frustrating, you have to think like a criminal in order to understand why that is.

Let's pretend you WERE a criminal trying to intentionally list an item that WAS counterfeit or otherwise violated an eBay policy ... wouldn't it be great to know exactly how eBay determined it was counterfeit or violated policy, so you would know how to avoid detection in the future?

A couple other tangential points:

First, eBay's counterfeit policy actually covers more that just counterfeit items. It also include misuse of brand names, claiming there is a manufacturer's warranty when the third-party sale voids the warranty, and a few other things. 

And second, always remember that eBay reserves the right to do pretty much anything they want with your listing, even if it violates their own policy. 

"we reserve the right to refuse, modify, or terminate all or part of our Services to anyone for any reason at our discretion"

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/member-behaviour-policies/user-agreement?id=4259

[kabilab · Accepted solution]

Stevan, approx. 11 yrs. ago, e-Bay claimed 2 DVDs I listed were boots. I began selling movies in 1992 and knew absolutely both were genuine. I considered appealing, but decided to sell them elsewhere. In my opinion, you should neither appeal nor relist, as you have already been given, in this thread, excellent advice.