Warning from eBay

[honestabe411]

I had a buyer ask me to cal him in his first message sent. I told him that's against the rules and didn't respond after that. 

2 weeks later I get a warning from eBay... here's the screenshot.

If another memeber decides to do this will I get another warning or possibly a ban for something I didn't do?

[moondogblues]

"Ask Seller a question is gone, but there is a contact seller link at the top right, under the ebay user id of the seller."

It makes me very mad to even have to say this, because I ask a lot of questions, mostly because of the new "see my pics that's most of the description." I have a beautiful bracelet right here in front of me that is TOO big, but no measurements in the description. Dang. Where was I going to ask?

Hiding a way to ask ??? It's just going to lead to more SNADS. imho

I can make the bracelet into something else...or I would have sent it back.

[moondogblues]

Abe I feel for you...this is just soooo unfair. This has to be sheer desperation on the part of the Bay.

[moondogblues]

I decided a couple of days ago that I needed to take a break from buying here...hate to cuz I like to support both vintage stuff, and the smaller sellers. But just like 2008 it has started getting a bit crazy here. I may be back in a while. Hang in there, love you all.

Specially Rose, Mt C, bubble...stay strong. And dave of course.

[lemarcheaupuces]

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@honestabe411 wrote:

On top of that, the bottom of the message states that my account isn't restricted right now, but any further and my account may be banned OR my listings could be hidden, are you SERIOUS?

I use this to support my fiance, 1.5 year old and my second child due in December...and now I don't have to just worry about changing my https to http or whatever, I now am getting warnging and threats against my account if it countines?! AMAZING!

I will call tomorrow...but even then...will 'Bob" overseas really be able to take this off my account...sure they'll say not to worry..but if i get ONE more buyer sending me their email or number then my account could be toast! This is ridiculous.

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this is really freaky.

i used to worry;

about late shipments caused by USPS that i have no control over and the new shipping metrics...

about duplicates when US sellers were being suspended for just a few...

users have been throwing fits about;

the Hub, the new listing form, the cassini search, listings being hidden, recently BO being forced into listings...

can assure you...

all of the above seems really petty to me now.

this is really, really bad.

all sellers have a serious reason to be very worried now.

i have never been on a weekly chat.

when is the next one?

we should ALL attend and flood the next chat with this topic.

this is a serious threat to everyone's selling standing.

Trinton@ebay

and all others@ebay

are you reading this thread?

[chrysylys]

Check my posts.  I've posted it enough times.

[nawlinsron2]

Ironically, this is the same "logic" built on mis-trust that drives the 10% fee on shipping....they can't trust/catch the .001% who abuse the low price/mile high shipping cost opportunity, so they charge ALL sellers.
Now, we can't trust them to get this "program" right to catch the .001% scofflaws who sell offline, so we're all suspect because a thread was found at the scene of the crime that "looks" suspect.
"Were you wearing a shirt when you sent that message?"...uh...yes.
Here's some logic for you, ebay...running off long-time sellers ain't helping your stock price.

[lemarcheaupuces]

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@nawlinsron2 wrote:
Ironically, this is the same "logic" built on mis-trust that drives the 10% fee on shipping....they can't trust/catch the .001% who abuse the low price/mile high shipping cost opportunity, so they charge ALL sellers.
Now, we can't trust them to get this "program" right to catch the .001% scofflaws who sell offline, so we're all suspect because a thread was found at the scene of the crime that "looks" suspect.
"Were you wearing a shirt when you sent that message?"...uh...yes.
Here's some logic for you, ebay...running off long-time sellers ain't helping your stock price.

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the 10% on shipping is 1 thing.

it just doesn't threaten our ability to sell on ebay.

i can control my shipping, my descriptions, i can follow ebay rules to the letter, once in a while the USPS delivers late but overall does an excellent job.

so none of the above can jeopardize my standing unless i mess up bad.

but what the OP is talking about is completely different.

2 violations and you are out.

could happen to all of us.

this very serious.

[evry1nositswindy]

@nawlinsron2  So, do you think my account will be flagged too?  I welcome questions and have several yearbooks that I offer to look up a loved one's name inside if they message me.  It is necessary and I am not trying to make off-eBay sales.  I have this on all of my listings:  FREE FIRST CLASS SHIPPING with tracking IN THE US.  If you need to contact me, please use ask the seller a question.  Thank you for looking.

International Sales:  The buyer is responsible for paying any taxes, duties, brokerage fees, customs, and other charges required by your country.  If your item is being shipped using the Global Shipping Program, these fees have already been collected by the shipper, Pitney Bowes.  

[lookng2015]

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@honestabe411 wrote:

On top of that, the bottom of the message states that my account isn't restricted right now, but any further and my account may be banned OR my listings could be hidden, are you SERIOUS?

I use this to support my fiance, 1.5 year old and my second child due in December...and now I don't have to just worry about changing my https to http or whatever, I now am getting warnging and threats against my account if it countines?! AMAZING!

I will call tomorrow...but even then...will 'Bob" overseas really be able to take this off my account...sure they'll say not to worry..but if i get ONE more buyer sending me their email or number then my account could be toast! This is ridiculous.

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And since they took the violations (so called) off our dashboards, we have no way of knowing if they even HAVE removed one when they say they did.

[nowthatsjustducky]

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@lookng2015 wrote:

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And since they took the violations (so called) off our dashboards, we have no way of knowing if they even HAVE removed one when they say they did.

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Sounds like a case of some pointy haired boss deciding, "Can't let our customers know what they did wrong, otherwise they may somehow find a way to skirt around the policy we determine they violated, and then we will lose future revenues because we can't charge them higher fees for dropping below Standard."

[honestabe411]

And now I have a buyer asking if I'll take a lower amount on my item and he's using $ signs and numbers...now I'm too scared to even reply!

on top of that he added his zip code for where to ship..Jesus, I feel like I'm going to get flagged again and banned. This is scary 

[lookng2015]

The way this seems to be going, I don't think you even have to reply to get slammed. Just the buyer ASKING is enough.

You need to attend the chat today.

[d-k_treasures]

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@honestabe411 wrote:

And now I have a buyer asking if I'll take a lower amount on my item and he's using $ signs and numbers...now I'm too scared to even reply!

on top of that he added his zip code for where to ship..Jesus, I feel like I'm going to get flagged again and banned. This is scary 

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In other words, acting like a normal buyer would if they were interested in a few of your items and wants to know total price you can give him and shipping.

Especially now that BO is showing up even when it's not wanted.

[ebbyisme]

I tried to warn them when they first announced this monstrosity....

Sending that message to a buyer (I used buyer because eBay is always very concerned about the buyer) is no different then a good long time buyer going to a brick and mortar store and being approached by security.....

"Hello, We are making contact with you to let you know you have to pay for your purchases before you leave. You shouldn't hide anything in your pockets without the stores permission.  Your actions look shady because:

- We couldn't see your hands at all times

- You were looking around a lot (doesn't matter you were looking for your spouse/child or have some other good reason)

If this continues and we have to warn you again you may be banned from the store."

Most people I know would never go back to that store.... and most wouldn't look to kindly on that "warning" from eBay.... and would see it much in the same light.

.... but what do I know.... I am obviously not as smart as the people who came up with this gem....

[odditiesandantiquities1]

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@honestabe411 wrote:

I had a buyer ask me to cal him in his first message sent. I told him that's against theh rules and didn't respond after that. 

2 weeks later I get a warning from eBay... here's the screenshot.

If another memeber decides to do this will I get another warning or possibly a ban for something I didn't do?

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I reread again the sellling outside of eBay policy update in the user agreement and apparently the holiday they forced me to take is not valid. Please see this section.

Sellers are also liable for final value fees if they offer or reference their contact information, or ask for a buyer’s contact information, in the context of buying or selling outside of eBay, even if the item does not sell.

The manager I spoke with clearly said he could see in the email that there was no reference at all to selling outside of eBay and informed me that the decision could not be changed none the less. That pretty much contradicts what they'd written in the new policy agreement. 

Not that it would have made any difference. They apply policies as they see fit.