Policy Enforcement (embargoed countries) needs to learn to read a map before they remove something..

[sin-n-dex]

So I understand people post here all the time about stuff being taken down because eBay says it is, and they say it isn't. Most of the time the claims are not possible to prove either way, and eBay wins. That's what happens when you play in their sandbox.

I got one today that's totally ridiculous, and I am going to fight it (to remove the violation), but not relist them (or the ones like it I subsequently deleted after this email), only because I don't trust their bots or humans to not take them down again and slap me with a suspension. (Even if I'm right, little good it does me while trying to get a suspension listed, and the suspension and loss of sales is much bigger punishment than me giving away $40 of vacation money from a country eBay thinks is embargoed).

eBay's advisory that I violated their policies:

And what they removed as a result of me violating this policy:

I know I can send an email which is easiest for me to provide me evidence, which will include a link to this banknote in the online catalogue, and a link to a map showing them where Oman is in the Middle East.

C.

[dbfolks166mt]

     Really confusing. So you are the seller and in Canada but they removed your listing because the US has a policy against importing items into the US from Oman? Really weird.

[sin-n-dex]

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@dbfolks166mt wrote:

     Really confusing. So you are the seller and in Canada but they removed your listing because the US has a policy against importing items into the US from Oman? Really weird.

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Not quite. The US has an embargo against Iran (and because ebay is a US company, they must comply). So to enforce their policy against no Iran items, they removed my Oman banknotes instead.

I spoke to a script reader in defect removal on the phone, and he said they might be from Iran and they can't be sure, so as a precaution they have to remove them. I told him they're banknotes, it says Oman right on it, it's a different country. And he said it's a gray area, so they need to be removed. I searched Oman in coins and paper money and there's 2400+ items, but I can't list mine because some bot decided Oman and Iran are the same place.

I'm attempting eBay for Business on FB, someone else posted the link here today, so I thought I'd try that. she said she'll review the removal and let me know, but they aren't super fast at replying. It seems to go around 10-15 minutes between dialogue.

C.

[sin-n-dex]

And the appeal with FB for business was granted, no more policy violation!

Folks, if you're right, don't give up. I tried three avenues tonight to try and get this resolved. FB for business seems to be the best. Just be sure you are right before you take on the challenge of arguing with eBay.

I just got an email from eBay saying I could relist the two items that were removed. (To be honest, I don't want to... I'm going to give my Omani money to my exhusband as a souvenir of our trip to Khasab a few years ago, we didn't really get any souvenirs while there, it's not really a tourist place). I know he'll appreciate the notes.

C.

[maxine*j]

Hey!   OMAN is four letters, ending in AN.  IRAN is four letters, ending in AN.  Sounds pretty suspicious to me! 

Good grief.  A "gray area"?   Hard to believe.

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[sin-n-dex]

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@maxine*j wrote:

Hey!   OMAN is four letters, ending in AN.  IRAN is four letters, ending in AN.  Sounds pretty suspicious to me! 

Good grief.  A "gray area"?   Hard to believe.

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LOL, that was the script reader's logic on the phone, it sounds similar so they need to delete my Oman items just to be safe. I couldn't believe it. He also said the decisions final, and too bad, don't sell Oman things here (well that's definitely going to happen). FB fixed it, I just had to spend 30 minutes exchanging messages, however I don't need to say much, just one message to explain my issue. She went away for a bit and came back with the news that my appeal is granted and the violation is gone.

I'm OK getting a violation or even a suspension if I do something, especially if I know better. But I try my best to be sure I'm not doing anything, even using different description, that might be against policy. I deal postcards and anything questionable for good taste does not get listed. (And you wouldn't believe the things people said and put on cards 100 years ago).

C.

[ten_o_nine]

@sin-n-dex 

Try using Muscat or Muscat Oman instead as I see several doing it that way.

[sin-n-dex]

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@ten_o_nine wrote:

@sin-n-dex 

Try using Muscat or Muscat Oman instead as I see several doing it that way.

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Two of my coins said Muscat & Oman, but I took them down to be safe. I don't trust AI.

Maybe later... I really don't need extra stress worrying about my store. While I surrender most of my revenue to the coin shop, I use what's mine to buy food and my medication, and will be in a tough spot if I get suspended. Medication is $1000 a month, and my insurance only covers 80%.

C.

[ten_o_nine]

@sin-n-dex 

They told me at one time to relist my Playboy VHS rated "R", and they did the same and removed it again, and they have it in the catalog as rated R.

[southern*sweet*tea]

Is anyone really surprised?  These are the same folks that take down ivory colored wedding dresses because they think they're made of dead elephant tusks. 😕

[sin-n-dex]

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@ten_o_nine wrote:

@sin-n-dex 

They told me at one time to relist my Playboy VHS rated "R", and they did the same and removed it again, and they have it in the catalog as rated R.

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The phone reps can be totally useless when you argue with them. I could tell my rep was a script reader because he's saying the same stuff he says to everyone without listening to my argument.

But like I said, don't need the stress. My share on a good day could be as much as $50, so to get a three day suspension and potentially lose my grocery money for the week, or medication money for the month, is a pretty big hardship. I used to own a bookkeeping business where I could rake it in and keep it all, but since I got sick I've had to stop doing that in favour of extra long naps.

C.

[ten_o_nine]

@sin-n-dex 

I am glad you got the issue resolved. Great job.

[mister*pandemonium]

But what is "FB Business?"

[fab_finds4u]

Facebook Business

[kh_nipun]

Hi everyone,

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

Thank you for understanding.