eBay's new refurbished seller program policies

[turbotechiesystems]

All I gotta say is eBay is about to lose a lot more sellers now. 

Received this message today for my items that are listed as used but I mention being refurbished or repaired in the listing. 

"It looks like you're using language in your listing which indicates that your item is refurbished. This item condition, and the use of similar language, is available only to pre-approved sellers. To continue, go back and remove this language from your listing. For more information, please review the item description policy.{e103156-1222409x} "

So now a small repair or refurbishing shop can't list an item as seller refurbished must be listed as used and you can not even mention that the item is refurbished or repaired or restored unless you join eBay's new refurbished program which has extremely high requirements and eBay themselves will determine the grade and condition of your items unless you are certified refurbished by the manufacturer.

https://pages.ebay.com/seller-center/listing-and-marketing/ebay-refurbished-program.html

Great eBay just makes it harder and harder every update to sell legit items.  Downgrade repair shop items that have been inspected and repaired as just used and can't even mention certain things in the listing.

[gracieallen01]

Sort of reminds me of, way back when, ebay tried to trademark (copyright?) 'IT', as in 'You can find IT on ebay'.  I suppose you could say that, 'It's been looked at, examined and fixed up'.  Maybe that would work?

[coolections]

Unfortunately some sellers will say they refurbished an item and when a buyer gets it the item does not work as expected. I would think if a buyer is looking for a used item and you say it works (you know because you refurbished and tested it), then a buyer wanting a working condition used one will still buy it.

[tex-421]

Not sure that I don’t agree with EBay’s policy. If I buy a “refurbished” Nikon, I want the word “refurbished” to have some meaning.  I don’t want to spend money on a used Nikon if all that’s been done is some dude with a can of dust-off blows off the dust and calls it “refurbished”.

[tex-421]

Without using the word “refurbished” why can’t you accomplish everything you need with an accurate description of the repair and renew work that you do?

[stephenmorgan]

I understand Refurbished to be an item gone thru by the manufacture or their authorized agent and certified to meet all original factory specifications. Also being sold as Refurbished should be sold by a authorized dealer and have a manufacturers warranty.

[ncskibo]

It's insane to enforce such a policy and then claim your 'wording' makes it sound like you are selling as refurbished. If something is refurbished then just say so, Ebay can add another condition button called 'Refurbished' , but if I have an 'Opened Box' item this is in no way refurbished, its simply an open box item. It's still not the same as 'used' item which infers someone has been using it.

[dback_2834]

They should still let you list it as good or very good, just separate it with refurbished on authorized accounts but still differentiate if the item is working but bad condition (used) or working and discoloration some cosmetic wear (good) and working, cleaned no real discoloration or cosmetic wear but not everything was replaced to brand new condition like capacitors but disc drive replaced (very good).

I know refurbished is a term that should be held accountable and therefore needs to be authorized by ebay, amazon and any other place that sells refurbished, which should mean components like the capacitors and any others that tend to go bad by now from when they were put in, should be replaced and everything cleaned should be the bare minimum for refurbished, so nothing like DK Oldies. Things like removing the yellowing of old plastics should not need to be done for refurbishing IMO but its something people will see in pictures that they would know if its not what they want for the price or if its not a big deal for a higher priced refurbished item.

Point being need to have more options for how the quality of your item is besides new, open box, used, or for parts. For parts/repair, used, good, very good, excellent, and brand new should be the options to choose from with authorized refurbished accounts having refurbished added to good to excellent if they add it, i know you can put in the description info to help entice people to buy what your selling but having something better than used will help way more for people to even see your item.

[dbfolks166mt]

     Fortunately there are a LOT more options out there other than eBay. I had to seek alternative venues for a number of items I used to sell on eBay in the wake of the ever expanding restricted items list and the VERO program. I had no problem finding other  sites and venues on which to list and most have lower selling costs, aka fees, than eBay. For me it was a blessing in disguise.