Ebay Wrongfully Temporary Restricted My Account Without Notice. What a JOKE.

[moviemerchmania]

I got a message from eBay restricting my account for 30 days from listing. I have the same PC computer game listed both are different conditions. One is Brand new one has a cracked case. Obviously a person with common sense would list these as two different items. Wrong....

According to the CS rep I spoke too I should have put both of them in the same listing... So basically according to her if I have two of the same item one is broken and one is brand new than according to what I am told by eBays customer service they belong in the same listing.........

And on top of this because the majority of the items I sell are in the DVD category, if have multiple duplicate listings since one DVD may be "Brand new" and another may be classified as "Very Good". And once again according to the eBay staff member these should be in the same listing...

So now my account is restricted for 30 days due to multiple duplicate listing violations...

[mr.elmwood]

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@moviemerchmania wrote:

I have never had any suspensions or violations on my account. But because they found I had hundreds of the same items ( same DVD movie 1 brand new, 1 like new, 1 very good etc) in separate listings.  

They gave me a 30 day ban.

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That is the part I am not understanding. All I have ever received is a stern look and a finger wag.

Hundreds? Eh? I just saw that. That many implies intent. They sure as heck are not going to listen to you.

A very simple thing I do, is put a stock number in each listing title. That renders each listing different. There are a lot of sellers that utilize this idea.

[moviemerchmania]

Well maybe not hundreds but maybe. 

When I get a shipment of 100 DVDs it may be 20 titles with 5 of each DVD. Some brand new some like new some acceptable.

I use the ebay catalogue type in the UPC it pre-fills all the information. I select the condition, type in my description, select a price and list.

With the catalogue it gives the same title, stock photo and item specifications. 

What eBay wants me to do in 30 days is take these listings and combine them into one. So if I have 5 brand new and 5 acceptable make a listing with quantity of 10.... Since I can only select 1 item condition if I select "Brand New" 5 people are getting a brand new item while 5 people will get an acceptable item. To me this is wrong. To eBay reps this is correct although ebay.ca guidelines says else wise.

[pierrelebel]

"So if I have 5 brand new and 5 acceptable make a listing with quantity of 10...."

That is not what eBay wants.

If you have 5 new one, eBay wants to to list a quantity of 5 in one listing with the condition "new"

If you have an addition five used copies, eBay wants you to list a quantity of 5 in one listing with the condition "used"

Both "new" and "used" should be in the title to avoid risk of someone think there is duplication.

I also suggest you add your own image (not stock) for the listings with "used" items.

This is a problem I deal with on a regular basis selling the same item in both mint and used conditions.  It is not a big deal if you follow the intent of the policy.

To go a bit further, if you have 5 used copies but feel two are "very good" and three are "passable"  priced at $10 and $5 each respectively. I suggest you only list the first two @ $10 each and wait until those two are sold to list the remaining three @ $5.

It is a lot easier to prevent than to cure.

[mr.elmwood]

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@moviemerchmania wrote:

Well maybe not hundreds but maybe. 

When I get a shipment of 100 DVDs it may be 20 titles with 5 of each DVD. Some brand new some like new some acceptable.

I use the ebay catalogue type in the UPC it pre-fills all the information. I select the condition, type in my description, select a price and list.

With the catalogue it gives the same title, stock photo and item specifications. 

What eBay wants me to do in 30 days is take these listings and combine them into one. So if I have 5 brand new and 5 acceptable make a listing with quantity of 10.... Since I can only select 1 item condition if I select "Brand New" 5 people are getting a brand new item while 5 people will get an acceptable item. To me this is wrong. To eBay reps this is correct although ebay.ca guidelines says else wise.

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No, that is not what they are saying. Hit the re-set button on yer thought patterns. You can list as many as you want, individually, as long as you make the title of the listing different.

Yes, it pre-fills the title. Change each title. Move the words around. Add a different stock number. Please stop focuing on what was siad, that is stopping you from going forward.

Take a look at my listings with DR419. Same part, titles changed.

[moviemerchmania]

Those who list in video games / DVD / Blu-rays will understand what I mean if you use the catalogue. 

Frustrates me that eBay is making it look like I'm trying to pull a fast one on them.

When it is the complete opposite. My whole intention of the listing that got removed and got me the ban was to make a distinction that one PC game had a small crack in the case that is only noticeable when applying pressure to the case although VERY MINOR. Both of the PC games are from the 1990's and are Rare.

They have are both still in factory sealed packaging and unopened. Ebay wants me to sell them under one condition in the same listen if I want to avoid future bans.

I am not willing to screw over a buyer to satisfy eBay's horrible suggestion.

[moviemerchmania]

The only condition options on Videogames, pc games, movies, DVD's are:
Brand New
Like New
Very Good
Good
Acceptable

[moviemerchmania]

I have had just under 2000 sales transactions in the last 12 months on this account alone. I have always listed the same way since day 1 with the catalogue. Only now has the first item been been flagged as "Duplicate Listing" in the last 2 years not once has ebay ever warned me to suggusted I have duplicate listings.

Also eBays automation system should of suggested it was a duplicate listing at the time I went to list it. Not after the listing has been active for 20 days. 

[moviemerchmania]

Peirre, That is what I did.

I have 2 copies of a PC game. Both Factory Sealed.

I noticed copy 1 has a minor crack on the front of the CD case although it is still sealed in its factory packaging.

Copy 1 is listed as Brand New (my only other options are Like New, VG,G, Acc). I specify in the description ITEM HAS CRACK ON CASE. Photo is of the Cracked Case game ( impossible to see without applying pressure to the top of the case). Also the pricing is different.

Copy 2 is also Brand New without any flaws. It is listed as Brand New and stated as such in the description. It also is priced higher.

This is how I list all my items.

[mr.elmwood]

What were the listing titles for each.

[moviemerchmania]

The same.. I used the eBay catalogue. I checked many other top rated DVD sellers and video game sellers and they all list the same way I do. Although for future reference I will add something to the title. 

But still this is not fair. 

[pjcdn2005]

Take a look at my listings with DR419. Same part, titles changed.

If I understand correctly, those 3 listings are all for the identical item in the same condition. If so, those would be considered duplicate listings because they don't follow the policy of....

Duplicate Listing Policies

Allowed

Separate listings for items that are similar but not identical, as long as the differences are clearly reflected in the title, subtitle, price, photos, condition, item specifics, or parts compatibility areas of a listing.

Yes the titles are different but the items are not supposed to be identical AND the difference should be shown in the title etc.  I doubt that would ever get noticed by the bots because the titles are different but technically, they are duplicates. (assuming that they are identical parts)

It's not a matter of the just the titles being different. It is a matter of the actual item being different. Because that part is for so many types of vehicles, I don't see a problem with it being listed that way but that doesn't mean that it follows policies to the letter.

OP...It sounds as if the volume of items that they considered duplicate was what got you in hot water and in hindsight, it would have been better to have the condition in the title and to only list a couple of the same items in a different condition. If the items were shown to be different in item specifics than you were following ebay policy but I'm guessing that the bots look for differences in at least 2 or more areas. 

Also, I don't know how much difference there is between like new, good, very good etc but if you had a quite a few similar ones, I can see how they might think that you were trying to stretch the rules, even if you weren't.   Even if they thought that, you would think that they would have given some type of warning first.

I would send an email to raphael@ebay.com with all of the information and ask him if he could look into it for you.  Explain that you thought you had read the policy and that you understood that you were listing within that policy. He might not be able to help but it can't hurt to ask. He won't be around on the weekend.

[mr.elmwood]

  I doubt that would ever get noticed by the bots because the titles are different

So, how hard is it for others to change the title to be in compliance?

OP used the exact same title in repetition. That was the exact reason they brought this policy in. The spammers were flooding eBay with identical titles.

[pjcdn2005]

So, how hard is it for others to change the title to be in compliance?

Changing the title of an identical item does not make it in compliance, it just makes it less likely to be noticed.

OP used the exact same title in repetition. That was the exact reason they brought this policy in. The spammers were flooding eBay with identical titles.

No, they did not bring the policy in so that people would change titles but so that people would not list identical items.

I'm not trying to tell you what or what you should not do but am simply saying that there is more to it than having a different title. In the OP's situation, yes they could have made the title different in order to reflect that the items were not identical and they may not have run into this problem.  But  if all the information the OP mentioned was correct, their listings already were compliant...but apparently not compliant 'enough' for the way the bots are programmed. 

[femmefan1946]

So, how hard is it for others to change the title to be in compliance?

Changing the title of an identical item does not make it in compliance, it just makes it less likely to be noticed.

But in this cases the items are not identical. They are different. Only the titles are identical.

The solution has been given several times.

Change the title.

Change the title.

Change the title.

It takes seconds to change the title.

Add a stock number- doesn't have to be a real one.

Just change the title.

Add Used or New or cracked case

That will change the title.

And the problem is solved.

Or will be when you can list again in 30 days.

[moviemerchmania]

I actually just received a call from someone by the name of Mets a manager from eBay Trust and Safety. Apparently my Denied appeal has been reinstated is being re-viewed since my listings are NOT in violation of the policies and what they were recommending to me is NOT what I should do. But they said removing the appeal against my account is not guaranteed but something they will take note of.

I am still not satisfied with that reply as I have wasted countless hours and been accused of misusing eBay's listing policies and have been made out to be in the wrong when the whole time I was trying to just have my side of the story heard.

Not to mention one eBay representative could NOT find the eBay duplicate listing policy on ebay.CA that I was reading to her. 

Along with the completely wrong and misleading suggestions they told me I make to my listings....

[ricarmic]

Movie: Always ask about stuff like this here on the boards first, it saves a lot of time. Usually someone else has experienced it and knows the most expedient/efficient way to deal with it. Doesn't mean you won't have to eventually call eBay support, but when you do, you'll have a lot better idea what you are up against. Otherwise you are depending on the knowledge of whoever happens to be the call taker that gets your call, and as you yourself have experienced one does not always get the right answer depending on their skill level. I hope it works out ok for you in the end!

[pjcdn2005]

But in this cases the items are not identical. They are different. Only the titles are identical.

Yes, I realize that. I didn't say that the OP's items were identical.

[pjcdn2005]

I hope that things work out. I can imagine how frustrating it is when something like this happens.

[mr.elmwood]

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@pjcdn2005 wrote:

I hope that things work out. I can imagine how frustrating it is when something like this happens.

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It is not so much that, as the lack of intent on the "offending" person's part as well as the brick wall ya run into it. The appearance of guilt means guilty. We truly believe in our heart of hearts that we are doing the right thing and BOOM BABY get one upside the head.

Been there, done that, good the T-shirt.

OP, put a unique serial number in each listing title, even when there are no duplicates. It is a handy fail-safe.

I know what you said, what you meant, what you did, that you believe you are innocent. Tough nuggies buttercup, eBay does not work that way. Does not matter that they should, they do not.

It is like this. Years back I got a parking ticket. I was in a 2 hour spot for a whole 10 minutes and got a ticket for being there too long. Plead not guilt, got a court date, got myself all set. I had papers. I had pictures. I had the Pope as my witness. Clerk says, as I am checking in: "Your case is dismissed". I tried to protest and got "Oh! Well. You want your day in court. Well, you are not going to get it. Run along.".

[tobyshitzu]

Everyone gets that what the op "did" is the norm in those categories?  Any of the big  listers of games or movies will have listings exactly the same way.   I could find piles in seconds, its what ebay told sellers to do when they started "duplicates".   Its an ebay staff screw up here. Also no reason to use actual photos as ebay exempts those items new or used from the photo policy. 

"

Take a look at my listings with DR419. Same part, titles changed."

That is a separate part of the policy for certain categories only that allows that. It would not be applicable to the op

"Separate listings for items made to fit specific products, models, or brands—such as connector cables, phone chargers, or auto parts. You can have up to 5 fixed price listings per item for these types of products."