eBay removed my video game listing for price gouging

[usgamecollector]

This is a rare video game that is no longer made. I had it as $100 which is the going price on ebay, there are lots of other sellers selling it for $130+

. We are aware that this is a video game, but it is obvious that you are taking advantage of the current situation. If you choose to relist this item, please be reasonable with your price. If you do not follow this policy in the future, this may result in the removal of your listings and the suspension of your account.

eBay price gouging policy states: "Items that are considered essential must be offered at a reasonable price"

how is a video game an essential item? Am I no longer allowed to sell rare video games and risk my account being banned for price gouging? My price was fair, and it was the same price as before the virus.

eBay is getting a little ridiculous

[the_fancy_fox]

“But not because the gouger had a choice. He was forced to donate them when the AG took an interest. He still faces possible repercussions re fines/jail time etc.”

I think it came down when he was complaining that he couldn’t sell them anywhere’s. I think he should be prosecuted for it along with anyone else making a profit in a crisis on essential items. They also caught a guy in New York doing it but he was selling it directly to hospitals and doctors to make a profit on it. Wanna be gangster I suppose.

As interesting as all this is, it has nothing to do with the video game.

And believe me, I do have a big interest in this as I work in what they consider an essential business that stayed open. I am on the front lines and interact with over 1000 people a day right now. Personal protection is top on my list. Thankfully my city is not a hotspot.

[bar-29368]

Well I wasn't actually asking you, as such, I was just following on to your post with questions in general.

[wastingtime101]

👍Got it. Since you tagged me I thought you were asking me.

[bar-29368]

Sorry. It's the way these boards work. I wish they'd figure out how to have the OP at the top of each page like the last company did.

[usgamecollector]

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@wastingtime101 wrote:

trinton@ebay's post suggests that this listing was pulled because of the item specifics on the listing making eBay think the game was currently in production. He also says that discontinued games are allowed to be sold with a markup.

Again - I disagree with video games being caught up in price gouging take downs, so I'm instead focusing on the fact that this is a discontinued game that is allowed to be sold at a markup according to eBay. Why would a discontinued game not subject to price gouging rules be taken down with price gouging cited as the reason? I think this has to do with the item specifics and the product-based search or the product catalog.

usgamecollector, can you provide any more details that might help us figure this out? If we can find the issue then maybe it can be corrected so you can relist the item without fear of another removal. Maybe that's pie in the sky thinking, but I'm going with it.

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It was listed correctly. The UPC and specifics were correct. I think trinton was referencing that he did not think "doom switch" was a collectors game and thought I was giving you guys wrong information. He probably thought I was mentioning a game that is 10+ years old, but 3 year old games can still be rare games. He probably wanted me to research to game to see it wasn't a rare game, but it is.

I also received in an ebay message that because it was an item subject to price gouging only "authorized sellers" were allowed to sell this, but this item should not be subject to price gouging.

[bar-29368]

Is this ebay's version of Amazon's "gating"?

[gracieallen01]

Yes, I got that part, too.  But, thank you for mentioning it.  A lot of people may have missed the outcome of that escapade.

[gramophone-georg]

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@gamersbaystore wrote:

Yep, now we have to worry about buyers abusing the report feature, claiming everything is being price gouged. The OP's post is proof the new feature is already being abused.

Notice ebay told them quote, "It is obvious you are clearly taking advantage of the situation." Yet, we're talking about a video game here, not toilet paper and face masks.

I think what's most obvious is that ebay is making garbage assumptions about their sellers, and with no merit.

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It's just amazing what sellers continue to pay eBay for, ain't it?

[wastingtime101]

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@bar-29368 wrote:
Is this ebay's version of Amazon's "gating"?

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eBay also has gated categories, but this appears to be different in some ways. I think it's a temporary gate put up that may come down after things "normalize"? I'm guessing on that. The video game connection still doesn't jive with me.

[gracieallen01]

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@bar-29368 wrote:
Is this ebay's version of Amazon's "gating"?

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Sure sounds a lot like it.  Control items and pricing - on everything.  Must register as a 'business'.

Think I see trouble down the road.

[cynthealee2]

What in all that's holy is "gated"???

I really REALLY wanna know if I can list the puzzles, chalk, board games, craft supplies, figures and the like...

Is kids make-up, dress up items, bath supplies those things "gated"???? It's what I buy after each Christmas season to sell in the following years.  I pay anywhere from .25 -.50 for MOST of them and sell them for 2.99-3.99  is that price gouging?  Larger items I pay up to 2.74 and sell them for 9.99 (usually the going price for them) is THAT price gouging cause every one is stuck at home with nothing to do?

Jiminey H Christmas... all I wanted to do was list things this weekend (while 2 -3 of the male slaves helpers are off work and can tote and carry)... now I don't have a clue if I should or not.

To top it off eBay sent me ANOTHER promo type thing:

Make up your mind eBay sell things for more money or don't list anything???

fiddlesticks... I just realized I have GPK auctions that will start this weekend... a few of those are expensive ones that start at 25.00 and above one will start at 69.00 and could go over the 100.00 range before the bidding is done... since 99% of my cards go at .33 each are THEY going to trigger price gouging?  Not my fault collectors think these ugly stickers are worth something cause it has a pretty border or some ones John Hancock on it.

[cynthealee2]

Can some one @ me if they come back and answer... I'm gonna go finish the GPK's and at least start cleaning the other stuff if not build the listings to have ready to launch.

[rpalma]

something

[usgamecollector]

good news, my listing was restored. I am assuming that trinton@ebay helped get it restored.

I don't know if that means all video games are safe from price gouging, or if it's still on a case by case basis.

[gracieallen01]

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@usgamecollector wrote:

good news, my listing was restored. I am assuming that trinton@ebay helped get it restored.

I don't know if that means all video games are safe from price gouging, or if it's still on a case by case basis.

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It may be that getting your listing restored was less painful than coming back to this thread.  Good luck, and hope the 'bots were notified.