Why is this backwards??

[allthings-collectible]

If eBay can cause a pop-up box to warn a seller trying to list an air rifle, a whiskey container or a OTC medication BEFORE listing the item, then why can't they integrate and expand this pre-list warning to OTHER items that could trigger item or category removals and suspensions??

The current system is designed to auto-react and penalize AFTER a listing is reported by someone instead of an automatic preventative warning based on the same trigger keywords. If AI was looking for these trigger words then ALL listings selling the same items would be flagged. But as we know, that isn't the case. Instead, its selective. Could it be designed this way? If so, why? 

[ckimodog]

@allthings-collectible 

I totally agree and very good point.  Perhaps eBay may be working on it in the future. Lets hope anyway.   There are so many items on eBay that are not only prohibited, they are illegal.  I saw a listing for magic mushroom gummies (no kidding) the other day.  There are also vape cartridges, some that are tainted with illegal drugs sold on this platform as well. Where I live you have to not only be licensed to sell them (and 21 years old) if you have any kind of record, the state will deny your application to be able to sell them.  They can only be sold in Vape shops too. 

Hopefully eBay will get a handle on these types of listings as they are not only a risk, they're dangerous.  

Happy Sales and have a great day. 

[slippinjimmy]

What type of "other items" do you have in mind?

Developing blocks using keywords is not as simple as you may think especially if you have an strong interest in avoiding false positives.

[allthings-collectible]

Ok, how about VERO items that seem to be expanding daily. Or perhaps the entire restricted item list? 

[yuzuha]

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@allthings-collectible wrote:

Ok, how about VERO items that seem to be expanding daily.

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VERO items are not removed by bots, they are removed manually based on reports from the company who owns the trademark.

[slippinjimmy]

How is eBay going to determine what items (which are perfectly legal and allowed to be sold on eBay) might also involve copyright infringement?

Probably half the items sold on eBay have the POTENTIAL to violate a copyright or trademark.

Then you have the huge amount of false copyright infringement claims eBay receives and has no option other than to do a takedown.

[allthings-collectible]

Yeah. Never said they were "removed by bots".  I simply asked the question why couldn't a preventative warning message come up BEFORE listing the item. Perhaps even preventing an item from being listed until it's reviewed by humans or an adaptive AI program, especially items that could be confused with REAL restricted or VERO items. This would be a HUGE protection for many Sellers who are getting pinched for items that are actually approved. I hope I explained my question correctly.

[coolections]

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@allthings-collectible wrote:

I simply asked the question why couldn't a preventative warning message come up BEFORE listing the item. 

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Because it would be an impossible task to identify and flag every keyword possible in the dictionary. Half of those flagged could possibly be OK with Ebay because of the other words associated with it. If Ebay did it YOUR way there would be over 600,000 complaints that an item was flagged that is perfectly fine to list. From reading the boards for years I can tell you common sense is the best approach before listing an item. Some are so obvious I have to laugh when someone complains an item was flagged.

[allthings-collectible]

Ok, then if the margin of error is so great, then why can't eBay provide a response that's commensurate with the flagged listing? In other words, if eBay is aware of their limited ability to discern the difference between restricted/non-restricted and VERO violations, then perhaps they could find a better way to review the item before the automatic penalty...

Of course, it would be preferred they do this AFTER they fix search 😕