VeRO

[harvestmoon_primitives]

So I got an item I listed pulled for VeRO (it was a shampoo/conditioner in box, fresh date and sealed that I didn't want because I didn't like the previous bottle I tried and had this new set left from my order), however the company is NOWHERE on the VeRO list. So my question is how can we follow this VeRO rule if eBay isn't supplying information to the sellers. Like why do we get scolded and punished when it is eBay that isn't keeping things updated?  I know replies are going to say get a checking tool etc., and yes it seems that may be the needed thing but I am just saying that eBay should be doing better on this. They are a large company and should at the very least supply the current list to their sellers! Also if everything is basically restricted because of VeRO and no one cares about the First Sale Doctrine then what exactly is the point of eBay??? Shouldn't it just be a selling/buying website solely for handmade because apparently that is about the only thing we are allowed to sell anymore. To me it makes zero sense to even have a "re-selling" website if we aren't allowed to "re-sell" anything without it being removed.

[bbravo65]

...does it have any customer service telephone contact about the product that printed on the bottle, likes 1-800 something...?

...if it does, call those number and ask them how could you contact about VERO...good luck...!!!

[fab_finds4u]

eBay tells you in the VeRO policy the list is not all inclusive.

[frugality_inc]

I'm a VeRO member and am not on eBay's list (you don't have to be). I try to take the time when I can to help others understand why their listing was removed and what their options are going forward. Listings can be removed for a variety of reasons. 



Without revealing the brand or their information, is there contact information in the communication you received? There should also be a reason stated in the communication why the listing was removed.



If you truly know the item is authentic, as long as you have invoice or receipts from the distributor or reputable retail vendor that you purchased from that you know is 100% authentic, send a kindly worded email to the contact email described in the VeRO communication with your item number, a copy of the removal communication, and your invoice/receipts. Put the ball in their court to make it right. A lot of the larger brands outsource listing removals to an agency that gets paid for each removal. Unfortunately, many of these agencies are poorly run and do zero due diligence prior to having a listing removed.



If that fails, document it and send it to eBay. You may be able to at least get the violation removed (wouldn't mean you could relist). While I know it's difficult and understand how you feel, leave emotion out of the communication with the rights owner.



Another thing worth checking would be to see if the brand owner has any warranties on their item that would prohibit you from selling it as 'new'. This is a common practice to prevent unauthorized resellers from selling 'new' items (even if 100% authentic). I know the item is shampoo in this instance and could not be sold as 'used', but still check to see if there's any warranties, special return procedures, or anything of such that could not be offered by a 3rd party merchant.

I also like the idea that bbravo65 mentioned. Could even go beyond that and look for their corporate office phone numbers / emails.

[pjcdn2005]

There is no policy saying that you can't list a product from a company that has signed up for VERO so it really doesn't matter if a company is on the list or not.   There is a policy that says that you can't sell counterfeit products or infringe upon a company's intellectual rights.  What did the VERO notice say and what brand were the products?

[luckythewinner]

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@harvestmoon_primitives wrote:

So my question is how can we follow this VeRO rule if eBay isn't supplying information to the sellers.

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The OCILLA Act under the DMCA was passed by Congress to shield websites from liability for intellectual property infringement by its users. 

In exchange for this liability shield, websites agree to promptly remove any content that is reported to them by an intellectual property owner or designated representative.

Congress recognized that a website like eBay has millions of users and billions of  listings, and eBay cannot possibly be an expert in the IP status of every item a seller decides to list here.

The VERO program was designed by eBay to conform with the OCILLA and protect eBay. It does not exist to protect sellers.

[bbravo65]

...China sellers have many counterfeit items on their listings...

...are their VERO exempt from eBay...???

[pjcdn2005]

No they aren't VERO exempt but unless the rights owner reports them, the listings will probably stay up.

[m60driver]

Beauty product companies, led by Chanel, are notorious for filing VERO claims while not being on the "VERO list".  I understand the risk of selling these products and will not pay more than $1 to resell.  Whether these companies have a valid claim to void the first sale doctrine is questionable but Ebay lacks the cojones to challenge this nonsense.

And understand, the cost of these products are negligible while the profits are astronomically high.  Thus these companies are able and wiling to take sellers, and Ebay, to court.