Request from another seller

[pack890]

Today I received the following message from another seller:

"As a Fellow Ebayer, I am asking a favor of you. I’m trying to increase my online presence and increase sales.
I am asking you to take the time to go to my store and follow me as a favorite seller.
The more followers the better we are seen online. I will be happy to return the favor.
It is good for both of us and I appreciate your time and the hand up."

Is this something eBay would approve between sellers? Thanks.

[nobody*s_perfect]

eBay would probably see that as search manipulation.  

[tiramisu41]

Is "having a lot of followers" now a criteria for better search placement on eBay?  While it may work that way on other sites, I'm not sure that's the case on eBay but I'm sure if I'm wrong, others will weigh in shortly...

[coolections]

Unless you are selling items in a highly saturated category like clothes or jewelry, I doubt followers will make any difference at all. Yes, Ebay will frown upon people trying to trick the system.

[pack890]

Naturally, I went to this seller's store to check it out. I sell handmade crafts and she has items I might be interested in buying. Maybe she just wanted to attract some attention.

[pack890]

I appreciate your quick reply. I'll have to figure out how to respond to the seller's message.

[pack890]

Thanks for your input.

[penguins_dont_fly]

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@pack890 wrote:
Naturally, I went to this seller's store to check it out. I sell handmade crafts and she has items I might be interested in buying. Maybe she just wanted to attract some attention.

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Ah ... that makes sense, now ...

She's an Etsy seller, New to the "dark side" LOL

Etsy encourages "favoriting" items, following others and joining "teams". 

Teams follow each other and cross promote each other's stuff on social media, etc.

Having "followers" on Etsy does actually do something for you ... according to the Etsy handbook "If a buyer clicks, favorites, or purchases an item after they’ve seen it in search results, that action contributes to the listing’s quality score."

[pack890]

Thanks again for your reply. I didn't know she sold on Etsy. How were you able to figure that out?

[penguins_dont_fly]

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@pack890 wrote:
Thanks again for your reply. I didn't know she sold on Etsy. How were you able to figure that out?

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By the request itself 🙂

It's a very "Etsy thing to do" 🙂

[pack890]

Understood. You're very intuitive and knowledgeable! Thanks.

[tiramisu41]

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@penguins_dont_fly wrote:

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@pack890 wrote:
Thanks again for your reply. I didn't know she sold on Etsy. How were you able to figure that out?

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By the request itself 🙂

It's a very "Etsy thing to do" 🙂

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Exactly what I was thinking @penguins_dont_fly, and what I meant when I said earlier that such behavior is encouraged/common/rewarded on other sites but not here that I am/was ever aware of...

[tiramisu41]

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@pack890 wrote:
I appreciate your quick reply. I'll have to figure out how to respond to the seller's message.

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@pack890, why don't you just respond back with something like...

"Thanks for your interest in my items and you request that mutually favorite each other's items.   I don't know if you're aware, but unlike other sites like Etsy, favoriting other sellers' items on eBay does not result in increased awareness or promotion.   In fact, it can work against you as when a prospective buyer puts an item on their "Watch List" and doesn't purchase, eBay considers the item not as desirable since no sale resulted and consequently drops the item down farther in its search results. 

Because of this, I regretfully have to decline your kind invitation.  I hope this information is helpful.   Best wishes for selling success on the site."

[pack890 · Accepted solution]

Your response is perfect, thank you, however I did reply already. Mine was basically an abbreviated version of yours. Thanks again for your assistance!