eBay Sellers Complaining of Crackdown

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AuctionBytes Blog
News and insight focusing on
ecommerce and the online auction industry
by Ina Steiner, Editor of AuctionBytes.com

June 25, 2007

eBay Sellers Complaining of Crackdown

By: Ina Steiner

Mon June 25 2007 15:06:13

Sellers are reporting that they are being targeted by eBay for seller nonperformance ("breach of non performance policy"). While this may or may not reflect a new policy, it seems the level of enforcement has increased in the past week or so. As with other recent Trust and Safety initiatives, eBay has not announced anything about it, at least from what I can see.

Here's an example of just one of many threads about the issue.

As you can see, this seller has no telephone number to contact eBay. It appears to me that recent T&S initiatives (beginning last fall) have increased the demand for customer support, but from my understanding, capacity has not increased.

Making the site safer by cracking down on sellers sounds like a sensible idea, but eBay sellers know that unscrupulous buyers can give them unjustified negative feedback. By going purely on raw feedback, and not taking into account circumstances like deadbeat and newbie buyers, some good sellers may get caught in the net. And as usual, sellers are left wondering if eBay exempts their top sellers from such crackdowns.

I have inquiries pending, in the meantime, let me know if you have been affected by this issue by posting a comment below, or calling the AuctionBytes Hotline (see this page for the toll-free).

Comments (179) | Leave Comment | Permalink

Readers Comments

eBay Sellers Complaining of Crackdown

by: LHR

Wed Nov 7 11:18:57 2007

My comments are from a long-time buyer's viewpoint. Over the years as eBay has grown I have seen drastic changes to the site, some good and some not so good.

In my 11 years and almost 800 feedbacks, I have ONE negative. About two years ago I won an auction, paid the ''powerseller'' immediately, including insurance, and never received the item. I e-mailed her several times over a two to three week period but she ignored each contact attempt. As the auction was small, under $25, PP and eBay were no help. A week after my final e-mail attempt I left my first neg and received same within the hour, stating I was a NPB. Of course I had my PP receipt but that wasn't good enough for eBay, my one and only neg stood! I don't see how this could be construed in any way as eBay only being concerned about buyers. In my case, they didn't give a damn about me and let the seller keep on selling. BTW, she was finally kicked off eBay for similar problems but my one neg still shines in my feedback.

One of my biggest gripes with feedback and some sellers is the ''you leave feedback first and I will respond with same''. Due to this statement in TOS as well as excessive shipping fees, i.e., $12 + ins, to ship one dinner fork parcel post I have drastically cut back on eBay purchases.

One question for sellers, with my record of leaving ONE neg and no neutrals in over 11 years, WHY would you think I might be an ''irresponsible buyer'' who would leave a neg without attempting to work a problem out with you? Of course many sellers are too ''busy'' to respond to e-mail or even acknowledge the sale/shipment of an item. I could not count the number of auctions I have won where the only response I receive is my PP receipt. How should I (or anyone) rate a seller's communication if it is non-existant? I always e-mail the seller when the item is received but normally there is no response to this either.

Due to these facts, I have quit leaving feedback for any transaction unless the seller leaves it for me. Could it be that some of your buyers are like me (old and set in their ways) and you are mainly receiving feedback from newbies, scammers and those that can never be pleased? Needless to say, this can have a negative affect on your ratings.

JMHO.

eBay Sellers Complaining of Crackdown

by: tula

Wed Nov 7 23:39:49 2007

In response to LHR above... The main reason sellers don't like to leave feedback first is that bad feedback hurts them more than it does buyers. Sellers don't get to choose who bids on their items (other than a few restrictions on people with negative feedback and such), while buyers can choose who to buy from based on feedback. As you can see from this thread, eBay is making more and more use of feedback as a means of controlling sellers. This can be a good thing, but it makes feedback more critical to sellers trying to do business. A buyer with 5% negative feedback is still free to bid where they please, but the sellers no longer have that option. Also, sellers want to leave things open until after you receive your item to make sure there are no problems.

As a seller, I look to buyer's feedback as an indication that the item was received and that all is well. If I were to leave feedback first, there's no incentive to the buyer to contact me (before leaving negative feedback) if a problem should occur. When I leave my feedback to a buyer, I view that as the conclusion of the transaction.

eBay Sellers Complaining of Crackdown

by: jons

Tue Nov 13 09:50:14 2007

I agree with this thread. Ebay has become a bully to their sellers. I received negative feedback from a couple of international buyers earlier this year - and was placed on the "sellers non-performance" list. I immediately refunded the buyers - taking a huge hit - but this didn't stop ebay from dropping me. The buyers came from Mexico - and the items eventually were sent back from their customs office (evidently the buyers couldn't be bothered to go pick up their mail). But because they reported me - ebay decided I was too much of a risk, and they canned my account (which was 98.9% feedback since 1996). I took another huge financial hit at the time when ebay canceled about 100 auctions.

I started to use another account which had been registered since 1996 - and was able to get 750 feedback (100% positive) over the past few months. This week, I received another email stating the account had been banned since it was linked to the first account. All the auctions were removed, and I was sent a bill for the canceled auctions.

I am reeling in shock at the moment. I have no idea which way to turn, I had a sideline business selling items on ebay and have been viciously attacked by this huge organization. I have attempted to clarify my position via email and phone support - both of which have been ignored by their outsourced help systems.

Ebay has become an "evil empire". They do not use the same rules with large ebay sellers as they do with smaller sellers (look at bargainbin for example - who has feedback around 94% !). Feedback was never supposed to be used automatically by the system - it was supposed to be a way for a buyer to gauge whether a seller was reputable or not. Certainly these bullying tactics are reminiscent of a dictatorship. I say boycott ebay. I know it'll never happen - but I for one will be happy to sign up for this class action lawsuit - and feel strongly that ebay has become a monopoly and is using financial information of their users to "weed out" unsuitable smaller sellers.

eBay Sellers Complaining of Crackdown

by: debgponca

Wed Nov 14 00:28:26 2007

I just opened a store on October 29th. Member on ebay a year (buy/sell) before I got the nerve to try a store. I rcvd my FIRST NEUTRAL today from a buyer who wants to keep the product 160178658296; does not respond to my emails (2) offering refund and return, etc. My FBS is 86 100% positive with 133 PFB left but ONLY 17 FB in last 90 days! A strike like this (I thought neutral was NEUTRAL) can hurt a new, small seller like me. I find that ONE MORE will restrict my selling. In my case, I feel that the NFB was unwarranted and shame, shame on the buyer. The more I research this, the more wary I become about an Ebay Store (after reading so many posts and links). To sum it up, (1) some Buyers are not the sharpest knife in the drawer; (2) Most Ebayers THINK neutral is what the dictionary states -- unbiased or impartial. Today I find out this definition IS NOT the Ebay way. Truthfully, I wonder if I have made a major mistake.

eBay Sellers Complaining of Crackdown

by: Karl

Wed Nov 14 20:57:37 2007

I got a complaint , NEG FEEDBACK, from a woman who first threatened to do so because she wanted me to , at my own cost, ship a $ 6 book to her priority mail. I did send this paperback first class. Demanding Priority Mail Shipment , at my cost , for a $ 6 item is unreasonable..I reported her as being in violation of Feedback extortion.

Now , with one negative and three neutral feedbacks , from satisfied buyers, who do not understand the feedback system , I got my account restricted as i only sold 63 items during the past ninety days.

Ebay did nothing about the feedback Extortion complaint that I filed.

That buyer has offered to retract the feedback for a $ 50 fee. An ebay re on live help recommended I pay the $ 50.

eBay Sellers Complaining of Crackdown

by: Terra

Sat Nov 24 14:13:04 2007

I have noticed that eBay sales for my industry have dropped 50% from what they were 1 year ago. My former competitors are barely hanging in there seems like. I wonder if it's like that all across the board or just my industry? After eBay started the non-performance crackdown back in June, I noticed sales started to drop big time for me and my competitors. Wonder if this crackdown had anything to do with that? Since lots of sellers are also buyers it makes since that it could have. Maybe it's high gas prices, who knows, who cares. F*** eBay!! I was wrongly suspended for seller non-performance back in August, tried selling again with a new account, had that one suspended also for being linked to the first account. At this point I wouldn't sell on eBay even if they let me because of poor sales and high outragious listing fees, not to mention the insecurity of it, wondering when my listing will be removed because of some stupid rule I never heard of or some malicious buyer leaving me negative feedback without contacting me first. Selling on eBay is more like working for someone else rather than owning your own business. After being screwed by eBay back in August, I was screwed by my landlord in September cause I couldn't pay my rent after I lost my eBay business. Even though I lived in the same apartment for 15 years and probably bought and paid for it (for the landlord) several times over, he wasted no time evicting me even though I was desperate. That's like I buy you a house, I live in it, when it's paid off you tell me to get lost. Well, selling on eBay is no different. You sell, and do all the hard work, make Pierre Omidyar and Meg Whitman rich billionaire's, make eBay a multi-billion dollar company, then they tell you to get lost. Nice people. The moral to this story is to own!! If your going to own, your own business, then truly own it. If you don't, it's almost certain you will get screwed! If it's a brick and mortar store, own the building, own the land. If it's an internet business then own the website. Bargainland started their own auction website and kissed eBay and their high fees goodbye, and they appear to have no shortage of customers. Don't make somebody else rich off your hard work, because the only person who deserves to get rich is you!

eBay Sellers Complaining of Crackdown

by: lonnie

Sat Dec 22 18:17:28 2007

there are so many sellers out there who do not deliver what is ebay to do? besides, who can earn a serious living and support a family by selling on ebay? get a REAL job!

eBay Sellers Complaining of Crackdown

by: Jesse

Mon May 19 19:52:24 2008

Who are you to say what a real job is you should be shutting your mouth instead of defending a corporation which acts unjustly. There is also buyers who abuse the system... I cant wait until someone nails ebay with a suit.

eBay Sellers Complaining of Crackdown

by: cwastew

Sun Jun 1 23:57:14 2008

It’s about time! As of May 2008 sellers can no longer leave buyers poor feedback. In the past, sellers were abusing the feedback system and blackmailing buyers with negative feedback when a dispute was filed because seller did not deliver or item was not as described. Buyers would not leave honest feedback in fear of retaliation from the seller. The new changes will prevent this from happening and make ebay a better place for the consumer.

eBay Sellers Complaining of Crackdown

by: justwondering

Mon Jun 16 19:40:07 2008

Wow, just ran across this website for the first time and am amazed at how many of us have received this lovely NSP treatment from ebay!

I received notice of SNP on my account earlier this year. I sell digital items that must be emailed out, WELL let me tell you, there are too many people that buy stuff like that that have no business even operating a computer because they don't even know what a pdf is (even though they bought it) and or can't even open an email attachment!!! So as a result, of peoples ignorance, I have received my fair share of negs and neutrals even though I did my part of the transaction.

I received SNP then had a hardship in my life and ended up getting suspended for non payment, go figure. I just recently got my invoice paid in FULL after being reassured by 5 ebay reps via email and that lovely LIVE CHAT operation they have going on, that once payment was made my account would be open to sell on again.

I came straight out and mentioned the SNP hold on my account that I had and they said we have reviewed your account and see no SNP hold on your account. Please be reassured, once payment is made you will be able to get started selling RIGHT AWAY!! I was told this 5 times. So, I paid them, tried to list and now it ays, I cannot sell due to SNP!!! STUPID me for believing those dumb ebay reps!!! They got me! Makes me so mad!

Sooooo I have emailed T&S, it has been 2 days haven't heard back and just hope I do, but from what I rad here I don't know if I will ever hear back and if I do it will be a canned response I bet.

Back when I was first notified of the SNP I did take care of all neg. transactions, I didn't have any Disputes open at all and my DSR was just fine, did not suffer. So everything was taken care of right away, they better not tell me take care of things........

My question is, has anyone here who had a SNP suspension onhold on their account ever get out of the hold? Has anyone gotten their accounts back!!? I want to know if it's even possible...feedback please!

eBay Sellers Complaining of Crackdown

by: cwastew

Tue Jun 17 08:52:17 2008

I find it funny how some sellers blame their problems on ignorant buyers and dumb ebay reps.

If you have negs and neutrals it is your own fault!

eBay Sellers Complaining of Crackdown

by: UNREAL

Tue Jun 17 09:06:45 2008

Ronnie M, A user agreement does not supersede the law.
Paypal tried that with there arbritation agreement and lost.

eBay Sellers Complaining of Crackdown

by: DJ

Fri Jun 27 20:09:05 2008

We are a powerseller with about 30-40K in sales a month. We paid 48,000 dollars in ebay fees last year. We are in the same boat with the 30 day restriction on our account and we do about 300 orders a month. The eBay policy is subjective and ridiculous. With the new policy in place there is only one tactic to be a seller. Be a lower volume seller, or be a large seller that has multiple employees that uses eBay as a secondary sales channel. Most of the large sellers in my opinion have successful business on other shopping channels and have the staff to provide the customer service eBay is wanting. The other successful sellers are small hobbyist that get very few orders a month and in return can provide high satisfaction. Many sellers like us that do a full time business solely on eBay are being threatened severely by this policy, and while some may be doing okay now, just wait till one of your suppliers or manufactures go on backorder and you get about 4 negatives in a row. Your account will be restricted too. My main complaint is now we are unable to have the buyer remove the feedback because eBay took this privilege away from us also. Taking the ability away from us to have negatives removed is the biggest punch in the stomach in this entire policy change. This is something that I would not mind having a conversation with a lawyer about, because of 30 day damages of a function that was ripped from all sellers. This is not only 30 day damages, but could cause in the short term suspension from your business forever. I just don’t know much about law, so I may have to ask.

eBay Sellers Complaining of Crackdown

by: jenny

Tue Jul 8 15:25:47 2008

this has to happened to me its a joke! i have been trying to get someone off for vero nothing happens time after time. then worst of all 1 non paying bidder leave neg feedback in a month.one opens a dispute with paypal says they return item and dont ever return it even enter trackinmg number.my money is now stuck in there .i cannot resolve as i havent the goods.then one neutral off someone saying postage was slow but item very good ive been stung by non seller performance.i have over 1000 feedback been a member since 2003 and 4 negs over 12 months. i cannot buy anything and theres others still trading with worst.if ebay suspend for non seller performance they should still let you buy

eBay Sellers Complaining of Crackdown

by: Ken Scott

Tue Aug 19 19:23:53 2008

I had over 250 positive feedbacks and now have one customer in Great Britain that because I would not play his extortion game by letting him have merchandise at greatly reduced fee or free + over $60.00 in shipping filed a complaint with ebay and a chargeback of $190.00 on my PayPal account saying that the product was not as describe. I am a retired engineer, my descriptions are exact. He waited 43 days and then filed a claim. I now have a 99% + rating. He has done this to several vendors and and gets neg feedback removed by mutual agreement. He still has the Product. I am going to fight it on PayPal. It will be a lot of work!

eBay Sellers Complaining of Crackdown

by: Bryan F Davis

Wed Aug 20 06:29:50 2008

Ebay's new policies make as much sense as a football bat.

Anyone who sells more than 30 items a month will tell you these new rules make as much sense as having a CEO who has never used the product in which he is making rules for.

And, when a eBay customer service agent tells you SOME sellers are causing problems so ALL sellers need to be cracked down on...is just a middle finger to those who make eBay it's money.

Ebay can take my 4,500 total (100% positive feedback) feedback, and shove it up their Nazi rear.

I am done selling on eBay.

eBay Sellers Complaining of Crackdown

by: GW

Fri Aug 29 03:31:01 2008

This policy is totally illogical and unfair. I hope the president and people who came up with these rules all get fired or die! They cannot "fire" us? This appears to be some computer generated program that is randomly suspending people. WE all need to get together and find a way to bring up a class action lawsuit or get everyone to stop buying on ebay for a while. That will get their attention. Lets get this on 60 minutes. What alternative auction web sites are available? Ebay SUCKS! They will suffer the concequences!

eBay Sellers Complaining of Crackdown

by: matt244u

Thu Oct 9 21:35:50 2008

ebay is getting worser i had 4 disputes buyers won them all got suspended for 30 days with all issues in my favor. i see why ebay sellers started as is no returns. one lady took four weeks pay for item she gives bad feedback 2days before payment clears. another one said comp damaged told them id turn in too ups u know we pay ins rates ups and fuel charges. but she had issue waiting on ups claim i won that dispute.then theres the sellers overseas sees you dont like ship there they say they didnt get a dp301 hey were gomma change another dish receiver for dp301. there should be protection fr sellers on here too. come on everybodys bought on ebay i get lot wish i never purchased but i live with it his is an auction site not walmart. but if and when i start selling. i will list every item as is no returns to protect myself fradulant buyers. i buy a lot from ebay but ive slowed down. cpl bad apples ruin a sellers rep and u talk computers noone manning the fort we all should combine round it take her down or all invest ourself in our own auction listing page its time ebay has had its day.we could call it pay up front and have heypal payment center like auction hammer goes down its yours

eBay Sellers Complaining of Crackdown

by: auctiondrop90210

Tue Nov 4 22:37:52 2008

We know exactly why ebay is cracking down and canceling sellers accounts for what seems to be ''no good reasons''

eBay's rules have changed in order to get sellers to accept PayPal.
PayPal (owned by eBay) would like buyers believe that PayPal is the safest way to purchase their items but in fact they are using PayPal and promoting buyers to use the credit card in order to charge sellers additional fees. EBay will not let anyone sell items unless they use PayPal or you are a business and provide your own merchant account. Now the catch to that is you cannot post this fact on your eBay site nor can you post any other forms of payment that you will accept on eBay's site or they will shut you down. We've even had an incident where after expressing that we had a variety of forms of payments, eBay contacted us telling us we could not post such information because we were not allowed to express our opinion on their auction site.
EBay put on this big promotion that they lowered their listing fees but did not advertise that their final value sale fees have increased.
Sellers not only pay for listing an item but they pay a fee of over 8.75% of the final value of the items sold. Then you can calculate another $0.30 plus 4.9% fee on top of that for accepting a credit card payment. If you accept five credit card payments in one year it is mandatory under PayPal's terms of use, that you upgrade your account to a business or premier account thus you are charged $0.30 plus 2.9% on every transaction whether it be credit card, cash funded or a bank linked payment.
This is steady income for some and a supplemental income for others. so knowing that, eBay will shut you down as punishment because they have dominated the online auction business and pretty much the product search Internet format.

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