eBay

guessfourless · ‎09-06-2010

I've noticed that some of my compeitiors have started posting watermark logos in the images on their listings. I did not think it was permitted on ebay to send buyers off site to purchase the same items available on ebay. I've contacted ebay numerous times with no answer to whether or not this was allowed and the listings have not been pulled either, they're actually growing in number!

ex 190440783866

Someone let me know if it's okay to do this?

coxengines · ‎09-06-2010

It is a clear violation of eBay's policies.

However, I ran into the same issue with a competitor. I phoned Trust and Safety 3x and was assured each time that is was a violation but they no longer accept those reports on the phone.

"Go to Live Chat" or use the report button I was told each time.

3x "Live Chat" and 3x "Report" button later I simply gave up as eBay does not seem to enforce their own rules.

There is a post in this respect I started last month. Just search our user name to find it.

Bernie

zarzuella · ‎09-07-2010

I used to have my website url watermarked on my pics, but discontinued a couple of years ago. It is definitely a no-no:

When you list items on eBay, you can include certain kinds of links in your item description to help promote or sell your item. However, there are some kinds of links we don't allow. For example, you can't link to personal or business websites from your listing.

A link is any text or image (such as photos, logos, or icons) that takes a user outside of eBay. It does not have to be clickable. A link can be a web address, such as "www.mysite.com", or text, such as "please put a 'www' and a '.com' around my user ID."

Just keep reporting it if it bothers you.

Make sure your listing follows these guidelines. If it doesn't, it may be removed, and you may be subject to a range of other actions, including limits of your buying and selling privileges and suspension of your account.

jakeeangel · ‎09-09-2010

Check out this guy - 130417964901. He's got 'em all over the place.

I remember hearing a similar story on eBay Radio and the complainer had to email griff@eBay.com with the information and FINALLY something was done about it. This was a couple of years ago though but Griff is a good one to go to. He has people's ears.

momoftwingles2 · ‎09-09-2010

Check out this guy - 130417964901. He's got 'em all over the place.

I remember hearing a similar story on eBay Radio and the complainer had to email griff@eBay.com with the information and FINALLY something was done about it. This was a couple of years ago though but Griff is a good one to go to. He has people's ears.

This person's link takes you to their eBay store which is allowed. It doesn't take you off eBay.

Susan

jakeeangel · ‎09-09-2010

I didn't click on it. I just read the URL which wasn't eBay and presumed it was an off-eBay one.

Sorry.

momoftwingles2 · ‎09-09-2010

No need to be sorry!

I have the same type of url that takes anyone right to my eBay store. Mind you...I don't plaster it in my listings which can be very confusing!

Susan

bilge21 · ‎09-10-2010

The link in his ad takes you right to his Ebay store, and his website's URL is watermarked in his photos.

Anyone could manually input the URL to go right to his home website. That's definitely against the rules, but Ebay has been lax in enforcing thier rules.

pierrelebel · ‎09-10-2010

"That's definitely against the rules'

I do not think so since the URL is redirecting traffic directly to an eBay store, not an off eBay site.

momoftwingles2 · ‎09-10-2010

The link in his ad takes you right to his Ebay store, and his website's URL is watermarked in his photos.

Anyone could manually input the URL to go right to his home website. That's definitely against the rules, but Ebay has been lax in enforcing thier rules.

This seller's links...in the logo and elsewhere all take you to their eBay store. It's perfectly legal.

If you input what you see in the logo into your http:// box.....you'll see that it does not take you off of eBay.

As I mentioned...it is confusing!

I can't remember how I got my url....but at one time there was a link in our store management list I believe to obtain it. I honestly can't remember as I've had mine for so long.

I wish I could be more specific!
Susan

coxengines · ‎09-10-2010

URL's to eBay stores are fine. However this listing 280548832017 is not in compliance.

And, eBay will not do anything about it 😞

Bernie

guessfourless · ‎09-15-2010

Yup numerous complaints and my competitior still gets away with it. I wish I wasn't such a stickler and did the same but with my luck all my listings would get shut down.. this guy gets nothing! what the heck

pjcdn2005 · ‎09-15-2010

That listing has ended and the link isn't on any of the items that they have listed now so I wonder if ebay did say anything.

coxengines · ‎09-15-2010

Which seller are you referring to?

Bernie

pierrelebel · ‎09-15-2010

Bernie I checked the listing number you offered earlier and the website the image watermark referred to.

This is a grey area. The website does not appear to be owned by the eBay seller, but by the manufacturer of the goods offered for sale (different locations based on the information offered in listing and website).

It is a bit like any seller on eBay offering a computer with a DELL website watermark in the image. Would that be a link policy contravention? I do not think so.

coxengines · ‎09-15-2010

Appreciate the insight, Pierre.

However, let me assure you that Mecoa does not manufacture the screws. He, as well as we, buy them from an unrelated screw manufacturer in the USA (Mc Master Carr).

The owner of Mecoa (the URL in question) is Randy and Randy is the seller behind the eBay ID.

100% is this a policy violation.

You are correct with the "Dell" thing, of course. However, then the screw pictures should be watermarked to the McMaster Carr website, where we all buy these items from.

As to the other products he sells on eBay, some he makes, some he buys from a 3rd. party.

When one follows the URL on eBay it leads to Mecoa's on-line store; where one can choose to buy the products instead of on eBay. Repeat: 100% a policy violation.

Our situation is no different. We manufacture about 80 different products we list on eBay and also maintain a separate on-line store. However, I would never dare watermark our pictures with our store URL.

To sum up: There is absolutely no difference between how this fellow operates and how we do. We both sell on eBay, we both have an on-line store and we both manufacture product.

However, I am not losing any sleep over it. T & S have confirmed 3x that this is a policy violation but don't take phone requests anymore for these policy violations.

Bernie

pjcdn2005 · ‎09-15-2010

Which seller are you referring to?

Bernie

The seller of item 280548832017...the Cox spinner screws.

PJ

coxengines · ‎09-15-2010

PJ,

That listing would have ended naturally (end of listing cycle). When eBay pulls listings they don't show anymore, even if you search by listing #.

Bernie

pierrelebel · ‎09-15-2010

"The owner of Mecoa (the URL in question) is Randy and Randy is the seller behind the eBay ID. "

That comes from your knowledge of the industry! I know nothing about screw... other than.... we won't go there! 😉

I drew different conclusions when I noticed different cities for the eBay seller and Mecoa.

coxengines · ‎09-15-2010

Yes, Pierre, and I suspect that is how he gets away with this. He continually touts his company as manufacturer in his listings so that a 3rd. party would make the same assumptions as you did.

However, time to forget about screws... well sort of... Xena just phoned 😉