Why did ebay send me a warning?

[jacksonmontg]

So... I recently posted an iPhone 6 for sale, which might I say, the scammers went rampant over. One of the messages in my inbox was the following:

"I'm interested in buying your item for my nephew please contact me on [insert phone number] ASAP"

To this, I replied:

"Hello,

All transactions must be completed on ebay. If you are interested in purchasing this item, please use the "buy it now" feature or submit an offer.

Thank you for your interest."

TODAY, I get an email from ebay that says:

"We’re writing to let you know that activity on your account may not be following an important eBay policy that requires all transactions and payments to be completed through eBay. The same policy specifies that eBay member-to-member messages may not be used to share contact information, and you may not display contact information in a listing without the permission of eBay or except as required by law."

As if I'm doing something wrong! I guess I'm venting here but my question is why did ebay send me this? Do we as sellers have to worry about OUR account standing when we're contacted by scammers that ebay seems to not do anytning about? 

Comments appreciated. 

[postingid2017]

@badwolf12 -  Autobots ROLL OUT - I love the AutoBots one of my fav cartoons that I watched with my son when he was younger ❤️  My heart if Optimus Prime ❤️ 

[badwolf12]

I'm glad someone picked up the Transformers reference. 

@postingid2017

[castlemagicmemories]

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@badwolf12 wrote:

I'm glad someone picked up the Transformers reference. 

@postingid2017

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Fear not!  I did, too!

[ittybitnot]

Itty, I do believe they send messages to both parties. I've seen posts about it from buyers.

Thanks, good to know. 

[slippinjimmy]

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@retrose1 wrote:

Even though the seller did everything right, ebay is going to blame them and not the buyer who was making the offer.  Shows you the respect ebay has for sellers.

I just block buyers that make offers.  And I love the report a buyer link.

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Yeah sure, eBay should just let sellers like the OP get ripped off! Warning sellers about taking transactions off eBay might help in some way to reduce the number of new sellers getting burned by this type of transaction.

Or maybe it's the seller who instigated the off-eBay transaction, should eBay just let the buyer get ripped off?

Does eBay really have to write every message as if it's being sent to a hyper-sensitive adolescent?

[rw011164]

EBay should not accuse sellers of wrongdoing when the seller has done no wrong. Many sellers are being accused and even receiving policy violations when no violation occurred. There is a lot wrong with that!

[dhbookds]

may not be following an important eBay policy that requires all transactions and payments to be completed through eBay.

 I don't see that as an accusation...........

[rw011164]

I was the unhappy recipient of such a warning according me of taking a sale off of ebay. A buyer had sent me a question asking for a shipping quote and they included their phone number. 

I never called the number, instead I responded with an ebay message advising them of the shipping cost. The item ended on its own with no sale. I then relished the item and that same buyer bought it on eBay and paid through the ebay portal by PayPal. We shipped it and then got the warning and a policy violation!

After two hours on the phone I was able to get the violation removed since it was very clear to see that the sale AND all communications happened through ebay, as they should.

It is wrong to make unfounded and scurrilous accusations when no wrong doing occurred

[Anonymous]

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@jacksonmontg wrote:

So... I recently posted an iPhone 6 for sale, which might I say, the scammers went rampant over. One of the messages in my inbox was the following:

"I'm interested in buying your item for my nephew please contact me on [insert phone number] ASAP"

To this, I replied:

"Hello,

All transactions must be completed on ebay. If you are interested in purchasing this item, please use the "buy it now" feature or submit an offer.

Thank you for your interest."

TODAY, I get an email from ebay that says:

"We’re writing to let you know that activity on your account may not be following an important eBay policy that requires all transactions and payments to be completed through eBay. The same policy specifies that eBay member-to-member messages may not be used to share contact information, and you may not display contact information in a listing without the permission of eBay or except as required by law."

As if I'm doing something wrong! I guess I'm venting here but my question is why did ebay send me this? Do we as sellers have to worry about OUR account standing when we're contacted by scammers that ebay seems to not do anytning about? 

Comments appreciated. 

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Hey everyone, I just wanted to step in and clarify that both parties will receive the same warning email when there is a chance an off site sale was solicited or completed. Only the member who violated policy will have action taken, but both parties will be notified in an effort to assert our stance on this topic. 

@jacksonmontg it looks like you replied in the best way we could have hoped for and I assure you no negative impact will be recorded on your account because of the buyer's request. You are welcome to reach out to customer service if you have any additional questions or concerns!