Restricted Selling Account after Providing Docs and Having 100% Positive Feedback

[balmeide]

I'm writing here in hopes to community, or hopefully, someone from eBay can read this, have some empathy and address an issue that appears to be all too common.

I received a message from eBay saying my account was restricted and to provide an ID, utility bill, and a receipt from the manufacturer for the item I had recently sold. I sent them my ID and utility bill but I responded in the comment that I did not have a receipt for the item as it was a collectible from 1969 which I bought from an individual (not business.)

Ebay's response was to tell me my account had been permanently restricted and that it was unappealable. Furthermore, I was notified that the money I received for selling my product, which was Authenticated first by Ebay's middlemen and then delivered (confirmed by tracking and buyer) would be withheld for another 60-70 days "due to safety precautions."

It's worth mentioning that I've had my account since 2009 (and every time I've called about this issue they thank and congratulate my for being a member for 13 years) and that I have 100% positive feedback, reputation which I've accumulated over the years.

So Ebay has restricted my 13 year old, 100% positive feedback account without trying to understand why an individual would be unable to produce a receipt for 50 year old item (if I were to guess, over 75% of the things being sold on Ebay do not have receipts from the manufacturer.) They've also notified me that my money would be withheld for 2-3 months even after they've Authenticated, received confirmation from tracking, and received confirmation from the buyer (who left me positive feedback.)

If this isn't the definition of unfair treatment to a loyal member, I don't know what is. Could someone from the community offer any help or insight? Or is this futile? I find it impossible to think there isn't a solution to this, its a company based out of the US, not North Korea.

[downunder-61]

They are very HV items and it appears you may have ended two of them that had bids when you did not get as much as you wanted for them at auction - eBay frowns on this action and it may have caused them to look at your account if any of the bidders advised them of this.

As the value is so high, you will have your funds held - but I would try reaching out to eBay on Facebook as you say the items have arrived safely and you have received feedback -

but remember even though you have positive FB eBay may still hold funds incase there is another claim made - the buyer has 180 days from the date of delivery to claim for not as described or faulty items.

[downunder-61]

Sorry - link to Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/eBayForBusiness  or  http://www.twitter.com/askebay

Send a private message.  Include your user ID, email address, phone number, and a brief

message. 

[balmeide]

I did not end any auctions that as you imply I ended "when you did not get as much as you wanted for them at auction ." That's false.

I've been selling HV items for my entire tenure, and funds have always been released when items are delivered with the new modality of shipping to Ebay's authenticator first, getting it authenticated, and then shipping it to the final customer.

I appreciate you pointing me to Facebook and Twitter, but this is hardly the experience a 13 year old, 100% positive seller should have to jump through to get answers or help.

[mtgraves7984]

I appreciate you pointing me to Facebook and Twitter, but this is hardly the experience a 13 year old, 100% positive seller should have to jump through to get answers or help.

@balmeide 

It is a brave new world. From experience, I can tell you that the way to reach quality  eBay C/S begins with a message on the facebook page. You'll be met with quick, intelligible emails... 2-way communication with Reps who actually have the knowledge and resources to help you with this issue. Trust me and try it. Good luck.

[tenoem]

This is one of the great perks of capitalism that you hear everyone brag about.   Companies like Ebay only care about profit and nothing else, which is what capitalism is all about.   That's why they program algorithms to monitor everything.   Algorithms that work for 99% of the people, but the 1%, just like you that have been around for a while but barely sell anything quantity wise, as you sell high value transactions that don't occur often.   This looks like fraud to the Algorithm because all you sell is high value items.   As a result it restricts your account.   In capitalistic countries like America, it doesn't make sense to a capitalist to support their own product, less than 1% of companies in the USA do, so they hire the cheapest support possible they can find from a country where the native language isn't English.   Now someone that has a language barrier reviews your information and by no fault of their own make the wrong decision and permantly restrict your account.  

Now the last thing you can possibly do is what the other person told you, try to message them on facebook.    If you get lucky they'll fix it, if you're not lucky, welcome to capitalism.