eBay

alohalani923 · ‎03-07-2020

So, I've seen the statement that Ebay is removing listings for masks and hand sanitizer due to price gouging but what does this mean for those of us who make cosmetic and bath/body products including hand sanitizer. I make custom scented sanitizer, but at a normal price. Am I not allowed to list it anymore? This seems unfair. I understand if I was charging a ton, but I'm barely breaking even with an average price of around $6 per 4oz or less, plus exact postage.

Is Ebay effectively pushing me out to FB Marketplace, Etsy, etc?

nobody*s_perfect · ‎03-07-2020

If you click on "Announcements" at the bottom of the page, you'll see that eBay has banned entire categories of items. A few days ago, they issued a warning about price gouging but that apparently wasn't enough. Listings are now being blocked and removed regardless of price, because it's impossible to monitor every price on every listing and even to determine what exact price level constitutes "gouging."

gracieallen01 · ‎03-07-2020

For many operations, it would seem that 'one size fits all' is a much less troublesome method of running things than having to devote some time and effort to be specific and identify the problem area for sanction.

Not saying 'NO' doesn't mean 'YES'.

The foolishness of one's actions or words is determined by the number of witnesses.

Perhaps if Brains were described as an APP, many people would use them more often.

Respect, like money, is only of 'worth' when it is earned - with all due respect, it can not be ordained, legislated or coerced. Anonymous

atikovi · ‎03-07-2020

@alohalani923 wrote:
I understand if I was charging a ton, but I'm barely breaking even with an average price of around $6 per 4oz or less, plus exact postage.

Doesn't look like you have sold anything here in the last year, but if you're only barely breaking even, why bother? Isn't your time more valuable than that?

alohalani923 · ‎03-07-2020

I'm disabled and had to quit making a lot of the products I once was and switched to other items which were more suited to Etsy. Plus my customers for those products were more comfortable buying from Etsy, so that's where I've been.

However I'm trying to get back into my other business and selling on Ebay also because Etsy has recently implemented some policies and extra fees that make it less appealing.

And it's not that's I'm barely breaking even, it's just not a huge markup. There's still profit, but it's reasonable and not exploitative.

Right now hand sanitizer is in high demand, so since I have the products to make it. I thought it made sense business wise to do so.

And I'm not just angry about this because I don't get to sell it, but because I know so many people across the country who have conditions that affect their immune systems (I do to, so it's very personal and dear to me to be able to get others something they desperately need) and NEED the sanitizer for extra protection. It's sold out across the country and I just wanted a convenient place to help people get it.

But I guess if I can't do it here, I'll just have to go to those other sites.

atikovi · ‎03-07-2020

Can you call it by any other name? Like hand lotion, and then just mention it sanitizes in the description?

lacemaker3 · ‎03-07-2020

If scented hand sanitizers were allowed, then the scammers would claim that theirs were "Fresh Breeze" scented. If colored sanitizers were allowed, then the scammers would claim that theirs were "Sea foam". Some of them might even add some scent or color to the bottles.

The point is that if there were any exceptions to the ban, that would only show the scammers exactly what to do in order to defeat it.

Most of the current supply problems with these items, are not because people are buying enough for the next few weeks, in case they have to self-isolate, but because scammers are buying everything they can get their hands on intending to sell it online at 1000% profit.

If those scammers can't sell their stock online, then they will stop clearing the shelves so the people who need it will be able to get it. They can even return their stock to the stores, and it can go right back on the shelves.

atikovi · ‎03-07-2020

@lacemaker3 wrote:
They can even return their stock to the stores, and it can go right back on the shelves.

I don't think anything medical related is returnable.

luckythewinner · ‎03-07-2020

Am I not allowed to list it anymore?

No. eBay's announcement clearly says that you can't:

"Effective immediately, eBay will block new listings and start to remove listings that sell: Hand Sanitizer/Gel"

Is Ebay effectively pushing me out to FB Marketplace, Etsy, etc?

No. Why would eBay's ban affect your business Etsy and Facebook?

I'm barely breaking even

Then hopefully the ban should have minimal financial impact.

luckythewinner · ‎03-07-2020

@luckythewinner wrote:
Am I not allowed to list it anymore?
No. eBay's announcement clearly says that you can't:
"Effective immediately, eBay will block new listings and start to remove listings that sell: Hand Sanitizer/Gel"

Is Ebay effectively pushing me out to FB Marketplace, Etsy, etc?
No. Why would eBay's ban affect your business Etsy and Facebook?

I'm barely breaking even
Then hopefully the ban should have minimal financial impact.

Sorry, misread. I thought you said push me out *of *FB Marketplace and Etsy, not *to* them.