eBay

dipmicro · ‎07-14-2010

Customer asked for some instructions, so I send him the PDF attachment via email (reply to eBay proxy address) and got this back:

To protect our members, eBay doesn't allow certain types of content in member-to-member emails. Because of security concerns with the content of your email, we didn't send your recent message to bigkid4.0.

Please revise your message to make sure that it:

* Doesn't violate eBay's email policies: http://pages.ebay.ca/help/account/unwanted-email.html#violations
* Doesn't contain Web addresses, or URLs, or links to pages containing active content (such as JavaScript or streaming video)
* Has text in both the subject line and body (no empty messages)
* Uses common formats (.jpg, .gif, .bmp, .png) for any image attachments.

Learn more about eBay email policies at: http://pages.ebay.ca/help/account/unwanted-email.html

Thanks for your understanding and for doing your part to help keep eBay members safe.

So much for improving member to member communication.

westernstargifts · ‎07-14-2010

Another example of eBay micromanaging our businesses when we can't even send additional information to OUR customers.

surplusdealdude · ‎07-14-2010

I'm not surprised.

Any enclosed document could contain spyware or a virus. ebay prides itself on it's messages being safe.

Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere. Carl Sagan

momoftwingles2 · ‎07-14-2010

Dipmicro,

Why not send a message throug eBay to your potential customer and request their direct e-mail address. Let them know that you want to send a PDF file and I'm sure they'll give it to you.

I have customers that request close up pics of the items that I sell all the time and they don't have a problem sharing their e-mail address.

Susan

dipmicro · ‎07-14-2010

Dipmicro,

Why not send a message throug eBay to your potential customer and request their direct e-mail address. Let them know that you want to send a PDF file and I'm sure they'll give it to you.

I have customers that request close up pics of the items that I sell all the time and they don't have a problem sharing their e-mail address.

Susan

Hi Susan,

that is good idea although it may annoy buyers who do not understand eBay messaging limitations and will think I am just being difficult.

Surplus, I am not going with the virus protection explanation - as most modern antivirus S/W are able to scan many known formats on the fly. PDF is very common format and easily scanable.

Another idea that came to mind was placing it on the internet and sending the link via eBay messaging system. Although I am not sure anymore if eBay does not filter links.

We are getting to the point where printing the page (my document was single page) and mailing letter to the customer is more cost effective than fiddling with the messaging system. This is quite absurd.

Btw. I got the customer email from PayPal and send it there.

R.

surplusdealdude · ‎07-14-2010

I think you just have to keep explaining to the customers.

I've never had one that didn't understand once I pointed out the issues.

Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere. Carl Sagan

surplusdealdude · ‎07-14-2010

Almost 9,000 feedback a year?

You're going to give Pierre a run for his money in a few years.;-)

Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere. Carl Sagan

coxengines · ‎07-14-2010

We have run across this as well and, through the eBay messaging system, write:

.... we would love to provide you with this info but the eBay messaging system does not permit attachments to be included in an email. Therefore, please provide us with your email address and we will gladly send you ...

Bernie