eBay sellers that advertise links to their non eBay stores on their listings is very unethical.

[john_wade]

What I've noticed over the past several years is eBay sellers using a listing to advertise their brick and mortar stores or links to other websites selling items. This hurts sellers like myself who work hard to sell exclusively on eBay.  For example, a seller that sells baseball cards on eBay having a sign on their listing for a brick and mortar store that sells sports cards. 

[dolcetreasures]

They are allowed to do so. That’s why you need to stay in your own lane. 

[yuzuha]

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@john_wade wrote:

For example, a seller that sells baseball cards on eBay having a sign on their listing for a brick and mortar store that sells sports cards. 

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How would that hurt an eBay seller in any way? People can only patronize a brick and mortar store if they happen to be in that seller's physical area, which is probably a very tiny percentage of the potential buyers on eBay.

[fbusoni]

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@john_wade wrote:

What I've noticed over the past several years is eBay sellers using a listing to advertise their brick and mortar stores or links to other websites selling items. This hurts sellers like myself who work hard to sell exclusively on eBay.  For example, a seller that sells baseball cards on eBay having a sign on their listing for a brick and mortar store that sells sports cards. 

---

Are website links allowed on eBay listings?

Otherwise... if I live on the West Coast, and you and the unethical seller both live on the East Coast, the fact that he is advertising a brick and mortar store will have no bearing on my purchase.  Might be different if I lived in the same town as the unethical seller, however.  

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

devon@ebay elizabeth@ebay 

The OP notes:

"...eBay sellers using a listing to advertise their brick and mortar stores or links to other websites selling items."

Could we get some clarity on this?

My understanding is, " links to other websites selling items." is definitely prohibited (whether the link is clickable or not)

But I'm not sure ebay policy is as clear on a seller promoting a brick and mortar store (not a website) on his ebay listing. 

Could you advise as to BOTH of these situations?

[slippinjimmy]

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@dolcetreasures wrote:

They are allowed to do so. That’s why you need to stay in your own lane. 

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Links to non-eBay sites are NOT "allowed" (with very few exceptions). It doesn't matter if they link to an online site or a physical store, it doesn't matter if the links are active or static.

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/listing-policies/links-policy?id=4248

Embedding links in a listing is the favourite of scammers or at best those that use them for fee avoidance. 

[ckimodog]

@john_wade 

Hi John

You can always report this: 

https://ocswf.ebay.com/rti/compose?seller=adp1018&rt=nc&rmvHdr=true&_trksid=p4429486.m2548.l2566&ite...

[slippinjimmy]

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@john_wade wrote:

What I've noticed over the past several years is eBay sellers using a listing to advertise their brick and mortar stores or links to other websites selling items. This hurts sellers like myself who work hard to sell exclusively on eBay.  For example, a seller that sells baseball cards on eBay having a sign on their listing for a brick and mortar store that sells sports cards. 

---

Yes unethical and also absolutely against eBay policy, a policy that has been in effect almost since day one of eBay.

Every listing page has a report button........

[slippinjimmy]

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@yuzuha wrote:

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@john_wade wrote:

For example, a seller that sells baseball cards on eBay having a sign on their listing for a brick and mortar store that sells sports cards. 

---

How would that hurt an eBay seller in any way? People can only patronize a brick and mortar store if they happen to be in that seller's physical area, which is probably a very tiny percentage of the potential buyers on eBay.

---

Two ways.......

Scammers direct buyers off of eBay where they then steal their money. Those buyers spread the word that eBay is a rip off.

Fee avoidance costs eBay money, they make up for it with higher fees on ALL sellers.

Just two ways this type of activity hurts ALL eBay sellers.

[stephenmorgan]

I've seen this many times. I always view it as fee avoidance. With enough information a person can figure how to contact you outside of eBay if they choose to. How many sales a person gets this way, who knows? 

[fashunu4eeuh]

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@john_wade wrote:

What I've noticed over the past several years is eBay sellers using a listing to advertise their brick and mortar stores or links to other websites selling items. This hurts sellers like myself who work hard to sell exclusively on eBay.  For example, a seller that sells baseball cards on eBay having a sign on their listing for a brick and mortar store that sells sports cards. 

---

You are absolutely correct and that is why promoting off-eBay sales is one of the most serious violations on the platform. 

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/payment-policies/offers-buy-sell-outside-ebay-policy?id=4272

“Buyers and sellers can't:

• Engage in any action with a user on the site designed to complete or facilitate a transaction outside of eBay
• Share or request direct contact information prior to completing a sale. This includes:
  • Name
  • Addresses
  • Phone number
  • Email address
  • Social media ID
  • Instant messenger ID
  • External website addresses (URLs)
  • Payment information
  • Bank details…”

About the only exception to this rule is for those sellers who must disclose their business contact info in the listing by law, as UK sellers must.

(Note: though physical addresses are not mentioned in the above link, the policy clearly states that any action that could lead to off-eBay sales is prohibited.)

[kensgiftshop]

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@dolcetreasures wrote:

They are allowed to do so. That’s why you need to stay in your own lane. 

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No, they are not.

You can't have any outside links in your listings or advertise anything off of Ebay.

[kensgiftshop]

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@yuzuha wrote:

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@john_wade wrote:

For example, a seller that sells baseball cards on eBay having a sign on their listing for a brick and mortar store that sells sports cards. 

---

How would that hurt an eBay seller in any way? People can only patronize a brick and mortar store if they happen to be in that seller's physical area, which is probably a very tiny percentage of the potential buyers on eBay.

---

They probably have their own web site and cheaper prices, so buyers will buy there.

[gloryglorygifts]

I know of one of my competitors that has a picture of their store on their listings and profile. He has even copied my listings word for word for things that aren't evenly remotely like mine, which I know is okay on ebay. BUT, his feedback is horrible over the years and his responses to people are extremely cringe. He's not even an owner of the B&M, just an employee. I often wonder if they even know the awful feedback is on here, even if it isn't any of my business. It is okay for him, and your competitors, to use those pics of their store though. Links to other sites is NOT allowed. I guess you could report them. 

[adamcartwright]

It's against eBay policy.

They only get away with it because people complain instead of reporting it.