Multi User Account functionality, eBay Seller Protection

[blingfling123]

tyler@ebay 

The scenario.

I want to hire someone to do listings (not a VA from some international location but an actual employee) 

Not a relative, not some billy bob from down the street, but an actual person being paid to create listings.

They have their own account on eBay. Their account is in great standing. I have known them for years.

I want to give them access to create listings for me using the Multi User Account functionality. 

This person would also be my back up in the case of an emergency.

We both want to protect our accounts, and we have all seen where someone accessed their account at someone's location and then years later have lost their accounts because that someone did something wrong later on. 

While I can protect my self as much as possible against them using my wifi or internet and have them sign all sorts of documentation relating to not accessing their account while at my location, there is really no surefire way for me to prevent this from happening and the accounts from being linked. (Not to mention the emergency back up scenario as well)

If said person tanks their account and gets suspended for whatever reason, am I protected? 

What about if years from now their account gets suspended, how am I protected?

Is there any protection using the above scenarios with the Multi Account functionality with eBay? 

Potentially someone could not have an eBay account, work for me and then years later start one when no longer employed by me and the accounts could be linked. If they screw up, I could be caught up in it.  They also have the same risk from me.

And before anyone suggests to use a 3rd party listing tool. I do not want to go this route either. 

[tyler@ebay]

Hi @blingfling123 - this is a great question! Truthfully I'm going to have to do a little digging on this just to make sure, but off the top of my head if your employee does everything through that 'Multi User Account Access' portal (MUAA for short, because it's a really long title), you should be just fine if they then, at a later time, do something to get their account suspended. 

As a belt-and-suspenders reassurance, what I've heard many people do is to have the employee open a new account just for the 'MUAA' access. Meaning their individual selling account always stays insulated from any employer's account they work with, even through the MUAA portal.

Like I said, those are just my first pass thoughts. I'm running this one up the chain and seeing if I can get more insight for you, but I hope that gives you a little bit of an idea on how to go forward. More details about MUAA here! 

[blingfling123]

tyler@ebay 

"As a belt-and-suspenders reassurance, what I've heard many people do is to have the employee open a new account just for the 'MUAA' access. Meaning their individual selling account always stays insulated from any employer's account they work with, even through the MUAA portal."

This actually makes perfect sense, but my concern is the linking of the actual accounts through the IP etc.  If someone is at my facility, even if they do their stuff for me on their insulated new MUAA account, if they happen to log into their own regular account on my internet etc, that is where the linked risk is, even years later.

While I can ask them not to, unless I am standing over their shoulders all the time, I cannot prevent it and having to monitor them defeats the purpose of having someone in my employ.   

I totally understand the thoughts behind linking accounts and why it is utilized to protect the platform and eBay, this is just one of those areas where some awesome functionality has been launched that I want to use, but my concern is it could also pose a risk to my account later on.  This is a little different than my uncle logging into his account at my house and then later on me getting caught up because he did something wrong, this is an actual employee/employer situation. 

Thank you for passing it up for further clarification. 

[iart]

This is a great question!

Imagine, trying to do what's right, having a back up so you don't disappoint buyers and then...

[tyler@ebay · Accepted solution]

Hi @blingfling123 - I heard back on this!

MUAA is designed specifically to avoid the situation that this seller mentions - there are safeguards in place to prevent any 'spill over' action across employer/employee accounts within MUAA.

To speak to an IP linkage situation, if an employee were to cause their employer's account to be restricted due to action taken on their own personal account we would want the Employer to contact us as this is a scenario for a valid appeal.

I hope this helps allay any concerns you have about getting some help growing your business!

[gracieallen01]

Hello Tyler,

In a situation like this, it would probably be a lot more 'comforting' to know who would be overseeing the appeal process.  Would it be off-shore CS (Asia, Pacific, etc.), or in-house CS (like FB or Twit), or a specific 'Team', etc.?  Any kind of specifics on who or how or what process of review or, well, something concrete might help out the OP better than just a 'contact us as this is a scenario for a valid appeal', which really tells the OP basically nothing of substance.

[blingfling123]

tyler@ebay 

Thank you for the follow up and I am happy to hear that there is something in place for protection.

I am hoping that internal documentation will be updated to reflect this process because once an account is banned the standard response from CS is "Our decision is final" and they will not entertain, respond to or allow any further communication on the subject. 

There needs to be a process in place for this exact scenario that is documented and available for ALL CS to see so that if someone gets caught up in this, they do not just meet a brick wall as usually happens when a linked or associated account is banned. 

@gracieallen01  also makes a good point below. 

[sextons-sweet-deals]

You want to hire someone who already has an account on eBay. I assume this person is not a current employee of yours reading your post, correct?

You want to give them access to your account to sell and what seems power to act on your behalf when needed.

I would advise that person not to sell anything for you!

Their account has nothing to do with yours if they are operating under your eBay I.D. / account!

I just see this as an uncomfortable post!

Just sounds like you're looking for an out / someone to blame if sale goes wrong!

[tyler@ebay]

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@gracieallen01 wrote:

Hello Tyler,

In a situation like this, it would probably be a lot more 'comforting' to know who would be overseeing the appeal process.  Would it be off-shore CS (Asia, Pacific, etc.), or in-house CS (like FB or Twit), or a specific 'Team', etc.?  Any kind of specifics on who or how or what process of review or, well, something concrete might help out the OP better than just a 'contact us as this is a scenario for a valid appeal', which really tells the OP basically nothing of substance.

---

Hi @gracieallen01 - I'm hesitant to give a lot of details about handling a situation that has not happened, and is unlikely to happen, but I'll say what I can. Please just bear in mind that this exact process may change as things are wont to do.  

In the event that a restriction or suspension occurs, the best thing for OP to do would be to review the message they received as appeal information is usually included, and then to contact CS. Based on the exact reason for the restriction or suspension OP would be routed to the appropriate team to handle the issue. That team may be domestic to the US, or they may be outside of the US. I'm always fond of contacting via social media as I've mentioned in the past - mostly because it's easy to send a message and then move on with your day (I hate listening to hold music more than just about anything else).

OP would need to detail out what happened and the teammate involved would review for any applicable appeal option and advise OP on what they would need to provide to move forward. 

[blingfling123]

@sextons-sweet-deals 

"Just sounds like you're looking for an out / someone to blame if sale goes wrong!" 

You could not be further from the truth and it sounds like you do not understand the issue at all.

MUAA allows me to give you access to my account to perform specific functions. Those functions are still under my ID and if you screw up, that is still under me and my ID.  There is no "out" for me if you screw up on a listing or a sale while acting under my account. As your employer I would take that risk on and accept that risk. But that is not what I am talking about. 

What I am talking about is the eBay linked or associated accounts, just like where if a relative logs into their account at your house and screws up their account and gets banned, yours would be banned as well as an associated ID.  We see it on here all the time where someone signed into their account at a relatives house and gets banned because 5 years ago that relative screwed up, there was even a case where a whole IP from a university was banned.  

THAT is what I am trying to avoid, or at least have some recourse due to the MUAA. If I hire someone as an employee and give them MUAA to my account, and they happen to log into their own eBay account one day at lunch at my location using my internet. Our accounts are forever linked by IP.  A year from now, if they screw up their account and get banned, MY account gets banned.  The same risk is in play for them if in the future I screw up.

I am simply looking for both of us to be protected should something happen in the future with the tied and linked accounts through eBay and an employee/employer relationship with the MUAA functionality eBay has implemented.

Hope that makes it less uncomfortable for you.

[donsdetour]

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@blingfling123 wrote:

tyler@ebay 

The scenario.

I want to hire someone to do listings (not a VA from some international location but an actual employee) 

Not a relative, not some billy bob from down the street, but an actual person being paid to create listings.

They have their own account on eBay. Their account is in great standing. I have known them for years.

I want to give them access to create listings for me using the Multi User Account functionality. 

This person would also be my back up in the case of an emergency.

We both want to protect our accounts, and we have all seen where someone accessed their account at someone's location and then years later have lost their accounts because that someone did something wrong later on. 

While I can protect my self as much as possible against them using my wifi or internet and have them sign all sorts of documentation relating to not accessing their account while at my location, there is really no surefire way for me to prevent this from happening and the accounts from being linked. (Not to mention the emergency back up scenario as well)

If said person tanks their account and gets suspended for whatever reason, am I protected? 

What about if years from now their account gets suspended, how am I protected?

Is there any protection using the above scenarios with the Multi Account functionality with eBay? 

Potentially someone could not have an eBay account, work for me and then years later start one when no longer employed by me and the accounts could be linked. If they screw up, I could be caught up in it.  They also have the same risk from me.

And before anyone suggests to use a 3rd party listing tool. I do not want to go this route either. 

---

Hmm use an account set up in your name. Use a computer that is yours and never logged in with any other user name. Do not let the person use their equipment for this.. Only safe way to do such.

[gracieallen01]

tyler@ebay 

Thank you Tyler,

I understand that there is only so much to which you are privy and only so much that you have to say - or can say.  I think that your reply is quite helpful as it puts a little more perspective on the possible scenario, although I don't necessarily agree that is unlikely to happen - there are a lot of sellers on ebay and a lot of opportunity for it to occur.

[sunflowertami88]

2024 apparently this function to reply to messages via multi user is still not active even when it is selected as a permission. When will this be activated?

[ckimodog]

@sunflowertami88 

This Thread is almost 2 years old & the OP doesn't appear to be selling anymore.  Tyler@eBay doesn't work for eBay anymore either.  Should you have any questions or issues at hand it's always advisable to open your own thread to get the help and advice you need for your specific questions or situation. 

Happy Selling

[kh-stanley1]

Hi everyone,

Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread HERE if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thank you for understanding.