Physical discount codes in packages sent.

[cardswithrob]

Hello community,

I have a question in regards to adding personalized coupon codes to your other separate business in packages sent to the customer. I own my separate clothing company and was curious if I could add a physical discount code in each package that I send out on my eBay business. These business are separate and I don't sell clothing on eBay.

A few ago I would've said obviously not. However, I just recently bought something on eBay with a personalized thank you letter and a discount code for a separate business. (not to their ebay store, to a separate online website)

Thank you!

[corvettestainless]

Technically, not allowed. You are directing a buyer, found on ebay , to buy outside of ebay (and I doubt whatever you sell isn't readily available on ebay)

Do people do it? yes.  They also do 90mph on the Freeway. 

[cardswithrob]

If theoretically I made it available on eBay then would that be fine?

[wastingtime101]

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@corvettestainless wrote:

Technically, not allowed. You are directing a buyer, found on ebay , to buy outside of ebay (and I doubt whatever you sell isn't readily available on ebay)

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Do you have a policy link to support that? As long as the original transaction is completed on eBay following policy there is no rule that I'm aware of preventing sellers from including a business card or post card with information for other places they sell.

[upgradedendmills]

Some of my best customers and suppliers have come from doing this. But, if I have listed something on eBay, I 100% stick to the terms I agreed to.

[cardswithrob]

Thank you for this. I was viewing over the policy and I didn't see anything that stuck out to me. (but also some of the policies are very broad)

[cardswithrob]

Just order $10 worth of thank you cards + discount cards for my business. Will keep you guys updated.

[coolections]

I very much doubt your idea will work. Someone buying a backgammon game you're drop shipping on Ebay is not going to care about a discount for clothes. I would be a little annoyed you sent it and just throw it in the trash.

[cardswithrob]

I agree, but I am putting these clothes on eBay not directing them to my website. In my opinion it's worth a shot, each card is about .10 (which adds up) but still this will for sure be a learning experience. If I can even get one person out of 100 it will pay off.

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

"I agree, but I am putting these clothes on eBay not directing them to my website."

You are now contradicting the statement in your first post, which indicates you only sell clothing on a separate website. Which are you planning to do?

If you have an ebay store (and maybe if you don't, I'm not sure), you can provide any buyer with a "codeless coupon" for some or all of your ebay listings, good for whatever length of time you choose.
You do this through ebay, and its fully approved by ebay.

[divwido]

They bought from you already, I don't see the issue.

[cardswithrob]

My apologies I should've been more clear. It seems like customers wouldn't be likely to buy off of an external website, and I'm getting mixed answers about the eBay policy, so I'm going the safer route and listing my clothes on eBay. (it actually might be smarter to do this)

[corvettestainless]

@wastingtime101   @cardswithrob     Do you have a policy link to support that?

Look it up; it's called 'circumventing fees' and is clearly prohibited in 100 different ways- there is no 'vague-ness' to it. I promise, I don't post just to read myself type. Amazed that you just read some other posters who 'sort of' made it ok, or couldn't be bothered to find the policy and then "move forward" with your plans.

Advertise for the customer to go somewhere BESIDES ebay, and BESIDES to YOUR LISTINGS that you already have LISTED, and  you are circumventing fees.

And that's not a slap on the wrist or 3 day suspension- just wave goodbye to your selling ability here. Permanently.

[cardswithrob]

I saw that as well and I appreciate your response. From my understanding this is not directly relating to what I'm trying to do; 

"Circumventing Fees-

Users may not use systems or techniques to circumvent, or avoid, eBay fees."

"Outside-of-eBay Offer - Offering the opportunity through eBay to purchase the item or other merchandise outside-of-eBay."

After reading this I clearly understood that directing people to my website is risky, and could lead to some penalties. (explained more in detail below) However, this is why I am now putting my other products on eBay. (as mentioned above)

"However, sellers may include links to their eBay Store and eBay Store items, provided that those links are not URL redirects. Please see the complete"

Through reading this I am confident that as long as it's on eBay, it is fine. If a customer buys twice from me, that's just more money in eBay's pockets.

Now, let's say if I wanted to go through with my original plan. (sending them to my website via a business card) eBay is vague on this issue, and they have to be. I believe eBay is more concerned about a buyer showing interest in a product, and then you contacting them to a separate website that has the same product listed. By doing this, you are avoiding the eBay fee. 

"Using member contact information obtained from eBay or using any eBay system to offer to sell any listed item outside of eBay"

Two big key words. "Offer to sell" is very vague. By using the correct wording in my business card I could avoid this. "Listed item" I believe if the product you are selling on your other website isn't on eBay then this doesn't apply to you.

I don't think my original plan is risk free, but it doesn't seem to have anything clearly stated against it.

Again, this is just my understanding to viewing responses on this forum, and reading multiple other forums. I would like for you to explain if you still think this is against the rules.

Thanks.

[imakesugar]

I have received business cards from Sellers and mostly threw them away. When I haves looked at the sites I am interested in most of the time their prices are at least 1/2-1/5th higher. On top of that most of the sites don’t have the MBG like eBay does! I prefer to continue with eBay. 

People who run those sites say “ You have to pay return shipping even on a NAD.”  Most

 of them sites are foreign sites with the same stuff on eBay anyway. 😉