False Search Manipulation Violations!! eBay Representatives Agree Listings are Compliant

[luckyloupe]

I am wondering if anyone has any experience or advice with a situation like mine.  Recently two of my listing were falsely flagged for search manipulation violation.  This is not the first time this happened so my account have been put on a 7 day selling ban. (My mistake for listing an item that was co-branded and ad two brand listed on the item haha) I called ebay today 4 times regarding this matter.  The first 3 times the representatives could not tell me specifically what was in violation in my listing.  They just basically read the computer generated message eBay put out and were not able to specify what was wrong with my ad.  The fourth representative went through the entire listing and agreed that everything was 100% compliant.  I am now facing a 7 day selling ban and worries that this may keep happening.  I have a slight suspicion someone may be reporting my listings to sabotage my selling.  Does anyone have any advice how to proceed with getting this removed?  Or any way of getting in touch with someone at a higher level in eBay support? I can provide details of the listings although it's tough to insert all the listing details into this format.

Thanks in Advance!

[wrong66 · Accepted solution]

From looking at one of your sold listings, in item specifics, you list just about every other manufacturer of nice watches under "Compatible Brands". That's gross search manipulation. If you keep doing that, it won't be long before you're history here.

[elmosworld]

i was just actually reading search manipulation policy a few minutes ago.

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/listing-policies/search-browse-manipulation-policy?id=4243

[714ricki]

What was the title of one of those listings that were flagged & what was the actual product? 

[luckyloupe]

I wish someone in eBay would be able to point that out.  I chose brands that would have the acceptable size range and style for the particular brand.  These are aftermarket pieces that fit a variety of brands.  Is only selecting a few brands more reasonable?  I noticed all the major watch band sellers also list many compatible brands

[luckyloupe]

NOS 60's Lenox USA 19mm Wide Expansion Bracelet Watch Band MR62

NOS Vintage 16mm Stainless Steel Deployant Clasp Watch Band Bracelet MO15

These are the titles of the two listings that were flagged

[luckyloupe]

I've had hundred of these listing up for years but this was the first time they were a problem

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

Not my area of expertise, but I agree with the poster who suggested the problem is your compatible with section in Item Specifics> Here's the rule (and watches I believe fit in Jewelry):

• If the item is an accessory for or compatible with another item, "fits", "for" or "compatible with" should be stated before the name of the compatible item. However, "fits", "for" or "compatible with" is not allowed before the brand names of jewelry, clothing and accessories, or universally compatible items

From your description, it sounds like this is basically universally compatible.

You note that other sellers do this , too.  But Basic Seller Rule: Never assume just because someone else's listing says such and such that it is OK to say such and such. Not every speeding car gets a ticket. It's just the way it is.

I'd play it safe and take out the list of brands ...can you replace it with "universal"?

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

@luckyloupe  A couple of possibilities spring to mind: Someone (maybe a competitor, maybe a buyer) reported your listings. Also, with ebay's current emphasis on the Luxury Watch Vertical, it's possible that everything related to watches is getting closer scrutiny these days.

[bashort]

For the most part any info that you get from a ebay CSR is worthless, they will tell you whatever you want to hear in order to get rid of you.

[luckyloupe]

From my understanding these rules were more pertaining to the title?  I'm hesitate to mention universally compatible as the is not totally true.  It will work with any watch brand that has a 19mm lug width.  That would basically be the equivalent of a specific shoe size.  So yes it fits many pieces but only with a specific size.

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

@luckyloupe I believe you may be making another unwarranted assumption.  I just re-read the paragraph I had quoted. I see no mention of "title"....

If it isn't universally compatible, then why mention any brands at all, since presumably it is NOT compatible with ALL watches made by  ALL those brands, only those that work with a 19mm lug width?

Personally, I wouldn't fill out the compatibility Item Specific and would just put in the description what you said in your post:  "It will work with any watch brand that has a 19mm lug width."

[wrong66]

"It will work with any watch brand that has a 19mm width". Then that's what you should put under "Compatibility" in your item specifics, rather than brand names of several watch brands. The title has nothing to do with you getting in trouble. You're under a microscope now with eBay. Be very careful and change any existing listings that have the same search manipulation in the item specifics before you relist them.

[wrong66]

Yes. Better yet.

[lacemaker3]

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@my-cottage-books-and-antiques wrote:

@luckyloupe I believe you may be making another unwarranted assumption.  I just re-read the paragraph I had quoted. I see no mention of "title"....

If it isn't universally compatible, then why mention any brands at all, since presumably it is NOT compatible with ALL watches made by  ALL those brands, only those that work with a 19mm lug width?

...

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Exactly ... there is no mention of "title", you can't mention brands at all for an item that is universally compatible. That would include any 19mm watch band.

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/listing-policies/search-browse-manipulation-policy?id=4243