@ittybitnot wrote:Boy was that gut instinct right. Minutes after adding him to the BBL, I started receiving disgusting, violent messages from this buyer. I literally couldn't copy and paste a single full sentence from those messages here without violating the board TOS, but I'll try to at least convey how bad it was within the rules here.
I would think that disgusting and violent eBay messages would qualify. However, using copy/paste might run into issues on the board. You may be able to post a "paste" per se so long as you redact all the bad words..LOL.. This board still thinks a particular name of a fish is a "bad word"... Give it a shot...just use ****** instead of what was really said?
For "minor" bad words, the bot will simply insert "BLEEP" but if there are too many they become overwhelmed and confused which may result in a nastygram.
I really don't think they should need an exact copy and paste to figure out what words in those messages should have triggered a filter. When some variation of a word that rhymes with duck is used over 10 times in one message, you would think the AI might be able to pick up on it.
I also have to say that the fact that his account is still active after having CS review the messages doesn't give me much hope that anything will come from this thread, but on the off chance it may help, I'll attempt to copy and paste a few tidbits, redacted to be made somewhat safer for human consumption.
I never responded to him, but this particular line was interesting to me because it, along with his feedback left for others, would suggest that he knows there will be no real consequences if he is reported for it.
Those are not even the worst ones, just a few that I thought I could redact but still leave enough intact to get the point across.
I am by no means a shrinking violet in need of a safe space and 20 years of customer service experience has given me pretty thick skin, but in all honesty I actually felt bad calling CS and asking them to read these messages just because I don't believe anyone should have to deal with this kind of *fish that shall not be named*. 
@autopiacarcare wrote:
As you can see, my attempt to help (with naughty words redacted) has been edited. I also received a message saying that posting the content of private messages here is a violation. Hopefully this won't be seen as another violation, I'm just trying to explain why half of my previous post disappeared.
I genuinely want to help with this issue, but I'm not really sure how this thread can provide Tyler with examples for the filters team if we aren't allowed to give him actual wording from actual messages we have received.
Hi @autopiacarcare - you're correct that this isn't the type of information that I'm looking for in this instance, though the story is no less troubling!
Profanity and other vulgarity in eBay messages are things that should definitely be reported to CS for review and proper action. It's also important to note that with foul language we don't operate on a 'zero-tolerance' policy. We allow space for members to change their habits and improve. Repeat offenders are given more severe penalties.
If you're still receiving vulgarity from this member I'd encourage you to contact CS so they can get it properly documented and action taken on the member.
@ittybitnot wrote:
r I'd encourage you to contact CS so they can get it properly documented and action taken on the member.
Thanks for the response tyler@ebay
You don't seem to understand that members who receive inappropriate messages in the eBay message inbox do not want to spend the time calling CS. Many times calling CS is not a short simple time saving activity that accomplishes much.
Wouldn't rather eBay have sellers spend their time on LISTING things than on the phone to CS?
Hi @ittybitnot - that's a fair point.
A contact to CS does not always have to mean by phone. Social media is an option (via Twitter or Facebook). Someone could send a private message with the high level details (item number, buyer id, and that you're wanting to report a member for being vulgar/profane in eBay messages). That team can take it from there.
I realize that not everyone uses social media, but there are other options than listening to our fantastic hold music.
Ultimately with this thread I'm looking for keywords and phrases that indicate to you that someone is trying to phish you or take sales off site. The filters for vulgarity/profanity is a topic for a different discussion. Thanks!
@itsjustasprain wrote:
tyler@ebay wrote:
Ultimately with this thread I'm looking for keywords and phrases that indicate to you that someone is trying to phish you or take sales off site.tyler@ebay: Why was the report button removed?
Hi @itsjustasprain - information about what I found on that is here. Thanks!
@abfabvintage wrote:
I am not trying to be snarky. So when you collect up these phrases or keywords, you technically will be educating the eBay AL to recognize these problems? That is what it sounds like to me? I would think doing the direct report to the Report Button that includes all the information it also captures who sent the inappropriate ebay messaging mail? Now I am really confused. Doesn't take much though.
And at a later time, would love to see the rationale for the vulgar language "policy" (not sure if there is a policy?) that you say is another topic? Most internet conglomerates have a zero policy in place. Why not ebay?
Hi @abfabvintage - I'd be getting these examples to the team in charge of the filters for these types of abuses of the eBay messaging system, yes.
Proactive vs reactive is the issue at its core. If we can train filters to prevent this from happening it's better than hoping that those members that receive something inappropriate or phish-y also go through a report flow.
I appreciate you'd like to see the button back. I've shared that feedback, and I've been told that that's not something planned for future enhancement any time soon. So rather than leave the issue I'd like to be able to work with the process in place to improve it.
We actually have a profanity policy you can review if you'd like. We don't have filters for profanity in place in private messages as there are situations in which certain terms may be appropriate to discuss (Adult Only items for example, music albums that have profanity as part of the title, etc).
The usage of profanity in private messages as an expression of frustration or personal harassment is something we handle as an abuse of the messaging system for members who report it.
Hi @bigdeals.etc - I've let the moderation team know what we're working on here, and they know to give this thread leeway. 🙂
If you come across any other examples please share them here - please just edit out any usernames or actual contact info.
Thanks!
