eBay restricted account and is holding $12,500

[isokernus]

Good morning,

eBay has restricted my account after selling a few fireplaces that retail for over $1000. They asked me for a lot of information like ID card photos, bank statements, proof of business, and invoices or receipts. I provided all this information besides receipts since the items we have been selling are obsolete inventory for our business and a few years old (but still in great condition as we maintain them). We did get a negative review for a piece of flue that shipped late (our warehouse guy was out on private business). Any specific reasons this is happening? Any recommendations to fight this, and has anyone else faced this issue and came out selling? Would love the advice and potential work arounds for not having a receipt for a three-year-old fireplace.

Thank you!

[stainlessenginecovers]

A new seller with NO receipts selling 'new' items- you will probably never see a dime until the money is released to your state in a year or 2; you can then apply to your state to get the money back. 

[toomuchstuffagain35]

A new seller with apparently a B&M business which specialises in selling what the OP is selling? Yeah that's really suspicious.

[monica-sells]

are you affiliated with earthcore?

just curious

you have no receipts, but you are a B&M business? Accounting 101 would remind you to keep any and all receipts (especially deductible receipts) as proof for your tax forms.....

(I believe 7 years is the industry norm)

These helpful folks will certainly try to guide you here, but these are just some basic questions that will help guide them....

[isokernus]

Yes, currently work for them, but these materials are years old and are being sold to clear room in our warehouses. They have never been used and still in original packaging or condition. They are stored and many different warehouses. I will talk to accounting and let's see how much of a pain it will be to pull year old receipts (if we can).

[monica-sells]

Good answer....

That eliminates the manufacturer asking ebay to remove these listings as "unauthorized"

They are being proactive trying to prevent the sale of stolen goods....

You are going to have to 'convince' ebay you are not "borrowing" these clearance items from your employer....

I don't know the structure of your company, or your relationship to said company, nor do I know the name on the ebay account holder (these are all relevant)

If earthcore is the actual owner of these products, I suspect you (if you are the ebay account holder) can simply get receipts from earthcore to you (the ebay account holder) itemizing these products.

Once you get the proper structural information

contact ebay for business on facebook for help

[wastingtime101]

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@isokernus wrote:

I will talk to accounting and let's see how much of a pain it will be to pull year old receipts (if we can).

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If you can't provide the receipts eBay may permanently suspend your selling privileges.

[toysaver]

 "I will talk to accounting and let's see how much of a pain it will be to pull year old receipts (if we can)."

That is what the specialize in and it should be no problem.

[toomuchstuffagain35]

Yet they seem to do little to curb the selling activities of offshore sellers drop shipping from stores in the US.

[ittybitnot]

....and has anyone else faced this issue ...

@isokernus 

Apparently yes.  Similar situations are posted almost daily here now.  A new seller ID making actual money here is a giant red flag for eBay's bot police.  You best give them what they want, and quickly. Chances are they will want something else after that if your situation follows the "usual".  

[wastingtime101]

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@ittybitnot wrote:

You best give them what they want, and quickly. 

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Yeah, pay very close attention to the deadline given @isokernus because they will make the suspension permanent and might not let you appeal after the fact if it takes you too long to produce your receipts.

[fab_finds4u]

What happened to new sellers having a listing limit of 10 items with a value of $500 per month when they first start selling?

Did you give eBay your SSN and confirm micro deposits  in your checking account before you started listing? Did eBay give you a listing limit that high or did you start listing without knowing your limits?

If eBay is asking for receipts they want to make sure you aren't selling stolen merchandise or that you're authorized by the manufacturer to sell those fireplaces. 

I agree if you're a B&M business you should have receipts.

Stored in many warehouses?  That sounds like you're dropshipping item's you don't own unless the warehouses are your personal warehouses. 

There's no work around for this.  One negative feedback like the buyer left isn't  a problem with eBay. 

I have a feeling you got too big for your britches when you started selling and eBay ain't  having it because payments are held 14-30 days and it's been since Dec 1 since you started selling, and if you haven't been paid yet that is a red flag your payments will end up in escheatment and you're through selling here.

I could be wrong, and I hope I am. Please come back and let us know if you ever got paid.

[isokernus]

All the warehouses are owned by Earth core. And yes, I gave eBay all the information they needed to start a business account which allowed me to list significantly more. I'm working right now to get as many receipts as we can, some of these items are over 7 years old but for the vast majority of these items we have receipts. I will keep everyone updated! I do appreciate everyone's help and advice. 

[monica-sells]

"...Stored in many warehouses?  That sounds like you're dropshipping item's you don't own unless the warehouses are your personal warehouses..."

If the OP is "in fact" listing on behalf of earthcore (the company) they have like 3 distribution centers and 12 warehouse locations around the country, so the statement would hold water...

I don't know enough details about the OP's account, but I can honestly say, if I was just looking at the listings as 'security" would without knowing he has 'the blessing' of the manufacturer, this looks classic. 

I agree with you..the OP "dove in" without checking all the aspects and safeguards selling online in this day and age....

[nickelsanddimes2015]

Find the recipes for sure. But because it's such a high amount of money sold in such a short time ebay will have to throughly go through your credentials per say.