Restricted account but even eBay doesn’t know why…

[melindaanne]

My eBay account was restricted today and they removed all 150 plus of my listings. But I have no idea why it was restricted and apparently neither does eBay. The email just says “We restricted your account because we noticed activity that we believe is a risk to our community, 
More specific details are provided below”. But there are no other details below at all. I spoke to a rep who transferred me to the department that handles the account restrictions and he told me that he can’t see why it was suspended either and that everything seams to be in good standing on my account, and that there was no actual reason listed… like what?!?!

And to top it off the info they want is all things they already have. They want all tracking from previous orders (which they already have since I use eBay generated labels for all shipped items) and to resolve any disputes I have (I don’t have any).

I have been selling for 3 months, I have over 100 ratings and not a single neutral or negative review, I ship everything out by the next day every single time, and I just hit top seller status a few days ago. I have also had no warnings or anything like that either for any reason what so ever. I have had a few returns but I refunded them immediately upon receiving the item, well within the 48 hour time frame. So what the heck? 

so I guess my questions are:

1. Does anyone see something on my account that would cause this? 

2. is it normal to actually remove every single active listing and to list in the email sent about the restriction of the account all of those listings that were removed when an account is suspended? 

3. anyone know why I can’t actually email them back? I have tried dif browsers, on my email, and my seller account, but I get the same error saying they can’t receive replies to that email after I send a reply, (even though it clearly says reply to this email). I’m just really frustrated as I don’t see any reason why it was restricted and apparently no one can tell me either. Of course it was on the day I receive my weekly payouts so I have a few grande in there to rub salt on the wound. 

[stainlessenginecovers]

They did it because you went from Zero to 150 miles an hour selling 'brand new' things at a record pace. Many of these items being 'brand new'.

Did you have all these items on hand?

Were you using your own live pictures or 'brand' pictures?

Did they ask you for receipts for all these items? (if not, they will)

If you bought these items from a 'liquidator' (looks like it) they are no longer 'brand new' as they are 'returns' etc. that these 'liquidators' get their hands on.

Asking for 'tracking' is just boilerplate, as they ask everyone in this situation. 

ps. just looked at your 'sold' listings; they are all 'stock' photos and none are personal so they either think you are just 'listing' things, then buying and reselling; you must have them in possession (real photos help) or a 'deal' in place with a drop shipper, which they may have asked for. 

[12345jamesstamps]

Looks like manufacturers don't want stuff being sold from a third party. Just thoughts. eBay prefers you selling items you have in your procession and not in a store. The reason you were able to sell so much thus far is that it does sometimes take awhile before eBay catches up to what one is selling.

Customer service on the phone usually will agree with you but they can't do anything.

It's possible you have gotten emails in the past about your account but didn't get them or they went into trash account instead.

[melindaanne]

No I don’t purchase from a liquidator, I get them directly from the manufacturer. Part of my job is designing packaging for products and I am sent them to sign off of the final packaging. I own them once they are sent and pay income taxes on the full retail value. I’m basically only selling to help pay my tax bill that is more money every year than buying a new freaking SUV. 

But back to the initial issue, they have done a few reviews on my account (which I totally get and is totally fine). But to all of a sudden completely remove all of my listings and eBay can’t even tell my why is what is really concerning. 

[melindaanne]

I have every one of these items in possession. I only am selling them because they are accumulating since I have been doing this job for a few years (see my other post if questions about job or where I get these items). And because I can’t afford to keep paying $30,000-$40,000 in taxes because of the items I’m getting from my job. 

but why wouldn’t they just ask for that info upfront instead of restricting my account and removing my listings? I can give them whatever they want (I get invoices for all of the items sent). And also why can’t the eBay reps in this department see why it was actually restricted? 

[m60driver]

---

@melindaanne wrote:

1. Does anyone see something on my account that would cause this? 

---

Why yes.  I just looked up two items you sold, a Black&Decker and a Coleman product, both new name brand items, that you were selling well below Amazon prices.  It is not easily explained how you can sell at those prices, especially with Ebay fees in your cost.  One of the numerous name brands that you have sold may have contacted Ebay and noted that there was something not quite right here.

[melindaanne]

I get that, and it’s because the brand actually sent it to me as part of my job. (I pay about 30% of the full retail price for the items in taxes but I own the products and have receipts for them all (from the manufacturers ironically) 😂

so why wouldn’t they just ask me for the invoices for the items? 

I don’t know I’m just confused why they wouldn’t just ask first instead of doing this. I mean I’m an honest seller and my stats prove it. And if the brands don’t want me selling the items then they should specify that in our contracts. Instead our contracts clearly state that once I receive an item it is mine to do with as I please and I am responsible for all income taxes for the item. 

[12345jamesstamps]

It might have come from just one company product you are selling. Or someone has been flagging your items that were for sale. It does take a few months before eBay does anything. So it might have started at the very beginning of some items for sale or just one sale.

[melindaanne]

Got ya. So what do they do in this instance? Just ask me for more info and I provide it and it’s all good after that? It just seams extreme to not just ask me for what they want before doing that. 

also anyone know why I can’t reply to the email at all that they want me to reply to? It legit comes back every time I send it that they can’t receive emails to that email but I’m doing it directly from my eBay messages🤔

[ckimodog]

@melindaanne 

Sorry for your situation.  From what it looks like to me any way is perhaps you sold a whole lot merchandise in a very short time, that can set off the red flags, especially from a somewhat new seller.  Were these items you sold being shipped to the buyer via your Ebay account or another platform that sells similar items? Lots of sellers here lately getting their accounts suspended for drop shipping from retailers, which means you take the order via Ebay and re purchase the item from another source.  That's not good. 

Did Ebay ask for receipts or anything else?  A lot of us are basically guessing but from your stock pictures you provided it appears to be the issue. Your method of drop shipping. 

All I can do is wish you well with future career opportunities.

Best of luck. 

[stainlessenginecovers]

It's not extreme as there are big groups going through stores and stealing things and walking right out and nothing anyone can do. There are people breaking into trains and emptying Millions of $$ worth of product etc. 

So, new seller, new items, multiple brands, stock photos (not showing anything in possession) all leads to either someone listing and then buying at Target, Walmart, HD wherever, after the sale, or stolen merch. 

They won't 'ask' questions to clue someone in on what they are looking at so you can then just 'change' the ways something is being presented. 

They are just 'protecting' themselves and their members. 

[krazzykats]

Account restrictions and suspensions | eBay

Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page and click on:

[melindaanne]

I actually don’t dropship, I have all of these items in my possession. I know that’s wild, it’s just a part of my job that on the surface sounds really cool but in reality is a bigger headache than it can be worth. But I can see how you came tO that conclusion.

I design packaging for brands, so when a project is done I am sent that product to approve it usually right before it launches being sold or if it’s a redesign on packaging then before they start selling it in the new packaging. 

The items are mine immediately upon receipt to do with as I wish, the only exclusion being if it has not become available for the public to purchase I can not sell it before this. However I then have to pay about 30% of the full retail price in income taxes since it’s technically part of my job. 

so basically I make $75,000 a year (about $62,000 after initial taxes) And then owe $30,000 plus on top of that for the taxes of the items I receive. Sure I get a lot of cool stuff, but I also get an insane amount of stuff and am sitting on multiple storage lockers full of brand new stuff that I don’t need (that I also have to pay for the storage lockers). So I started selling the stuff in sitting on because I cannot afford to keep this up for obvious reasons. I’m able to charge much less than retail because I’m only paying 30% for the item when it all comes down to it. 

sorry I just wanted to clarify because these are all items I have on hand and I’m not a drop shipper. But I know that’s the obvious conclusion you would come to seeing my page. Hopefully EBay allows me to explain myself and provide the invoices for the items. Fingers crossed! 

[stuff4divas]

---

@melindaanne wrote:

Got ya. So what do they do in this instance? Just ask me for more info and I provide it and it’s all good after that? It just seams extreme to not just ask me for what they want before doing that. 

also anyone know why I can’t reply to the email at all that they want me to reply to? It legit comes back every time I send it that they can’t receive emails to that email but I’m doing it directly from my eBay messages🤔

---

this type of situation (restricting, suspending) accounts has been going on heavily for about a year now that i know of, mostly bc online selling platforms are being pressured to better police what is being sold due to outrageous retail theft.

when someone comes along and 'suddenly' has tons of stuff to list or doing something out of their 'usual' selling self, well, it looks 'suspicious' maybe?

for real, i don't know, but it's being done to several sellers every day and they all say the same as you. CS tells them they see nothing wrong with their account, tells them to download all sorts of info, invoices, blah, blah, blah, and that the eBay message just takes them around the great eBay merry go round.

To contact eBay,

Click on > https://www.ebay.com/help/contact_us?id=4002&st=10 to see the various options to contact eBay

If you decide to receive a call back, make sure your phone will not block the call back
 

AND-OR
 
Contact eBay via their social media sites with a private message:

https://Facebook.com/ebay

 
AND-OR 

https://Twitter.com/askebay

Great customer service on both

Good Luck

[stainlessenginecovers]

By the way; if you donate or those items; you only have to 'claim the value' and then you can 'write off that value' with that donation. 

Also- why in the world would the company have to send you the 'item' for you to 'approve' the packaging? Why don't they just send you a sample of the package?