posted on June 26, 2003 02:07:32 PM new
I put the Vendio logos and links in my eBay store listings, just as they appear in my regular auction listings. I just do a "Sell similar item", and change it to a store listing.
I know that these have always been "legal", so imagine my amazement, when I received the following email from eBay. I am leaving out the listings, and will just say that there were a total of 30 listings! They weren't all store items.
****************
Dear xxxxxxxxxxxx ([email protected]),
We appreciate that you chose eBay to list the following item(s):
30 Listings
However, your listing(s) was in violation of eBay's policies. We would like to take this opportunity to let you know what part of your listing(s) is not permitted.
Your listing(s) contained the following information:
Including these links within an eBay auction listing is not permitted. Because it is in violation of eBay's Links and Credits policy, your listing has been ended early. All associated fees have been credited to your account.
This notice is based solely upon review of the aforementioned listing(s). We encourage you to review all of your listings to ensure full compliance to our guidelines. If found to be in violation of one or more of our guidelines, your current listings will be subject to further disciplinary action, including the cancelation of your listings.
Please remember that a "link" is defined as anything that will allow someone access to a remote or third-party web page. There are "static" links (written text that may be typed or cut-and-pasted into the address line of any web browser) and "hyper" or "clickable" links (imbedded in the HTML code of an auction listing). Both types of links will allow someone to access a web page and are not allowed under eBay's revised Links and Credits policy.
Our Links and Credits guidelines state the following:
"eBay allows sellers to place the following types of links in your item's description:
- One link to a page that further describes the item being sold in that listing.
- One link to your email address that opens an email client for potential bidders to ask questions about the item in that listing
- Links to photos of the item for sale.
- Links to your eBay or Half.com listings.
- One link to your About Me page (in addition to the About Me icon already provided by eBay).
- Links that provide credits to third parties. If you have a logo for any of these links, it may be no greater than 88x33 pixels. (Exception - links to your eBay or Half.com listings).
- One link to your listing terms and conditions (providing that the most relevant information is within the listing itself and that this page does not include any links off of eBay).
Linking to web sites that offer to trade, sell or purchase goods or services, or including links for any purpose other than those listed above is not allowed. Prohibited links include, but are not limited to:
- Links to web pages that offer to trade, sell or purchase goods or services outside of eBay
- Links to web sites or pages offering merchandise is not permitted on eBay
- Links to sites that solicit eBay User Ids or passwords from bidders
- Links that encourage bidders to place their eBay bids through a site other than eBay"
Please note that the eBay View Item Page is meant for describing a specific item, not for general business advertisements. Allowing links to sites off eBay is detrimental to sellers that are listing only on eBay and counting on that traffic. The purpose of the change is to focus on the intent of our View Item page policy, which is to describe an individual item, not a seller's business or other items.
We would encourage you to review this policy and how it effects the way you list your items on eBay. In addition, the policy and FAQ page may help to further clarify points of the Links and Credits policy. You will find these pages at the following URLs:
Future listings that demonstrate a pattern of violations may result in the termination of all of your listings, and repeated occurrences may jeopardize your eBay account status. We sincerely value you as a member of our trading community and look forward to a continued successful relationship. To ensure this relationship, we must respectfully ask that you abide by our guidelines and User Agreement in the future.
We thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Regards,
Customer Support (Trust and Safety Department)
eBay Inc
*******************************
Kat
Kathy Kieff
Gifts-N-Crafts
http://www.gifts-n-crafts.net
posted on June 26, 2003 02:19:32 PM new
I just got an apology from eBay, but that doesn't help with all the cancelled listings, and all the work to relist. I am really frustrated! Not to mention IRRITATED!
posted on June 26, 2003 03:16:18 PM new
Sonya,
Following is a copy of the apology.
******************
Hello,
I'm sorry for the inconvenience you have experienced receiving an email
stating that you were violating our links and credits policy guidelines.
After reviewing your account and the listings in question, it was found
that the auctions were indeed listed correctly. I have amended your
account to reflect the removal of the violation. This violation will not
be held against your records.
We truly appreciate your understanding in this matter and ask that you
can excuse us this error in judgement. The fees associated with these
listings have been refunded to your account. Please feel free to relist
the items as they were in compliance with the listing policy guidelines.
Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience this has caused you.
We are committed to making your eBay experiences pleasant and
fulfilling.
Regards,
Salvador
eBay Community Watch
______________________________
*******************************************
There are 30 listings they ended. They put them back on, but they are still ended. They gave me credit on them. They were mostly my eBay store listings. I will sort through them in a little while, and let you know.
Someone seems to have it in for me at eBay for some reason. They canceled some listings yesterday, that had wording that could possibly tell people to buy from me somewhere else. I am currently going through all my auctions to find any possibly offending wording. I had something to the effect that multiple purchases would be combined at my checkout, but it was worded wrong, they said, and canceled the listings. I had used this wording for months. They also canceled some that said "gifts n crafts net" they said I can't have "net" in them. I had some canceled many months ago, because they had "gifts-n-crafts.net", which I don't consider a url. I asked at that time if I could replace that with "gifts n crafts net", and they said it was okay then, but now they say their rules about that have changed.
posted on June 26, 2003 03:33:07 PM new
Sonya,
Here are the listings done through Vendio, that were ended.
3615216778
2331419312
2331455628
2331631171
2331648037
2331661516
There were also a couple of relists I had done directly through eBay.
Can I submit a Vendio credit request for all of these together, or do I need to do one at a time?
Kat
Kathy Kieff
Gifts-N-Crafts
http://www.gifts-n-crafts.net
Are the item numbers you provided the original item numbers, or new ones? Did eBay put your items back on with new item numbers or the original ones? I spoke with our billing specialist about crediting you the fees for this -- you don't need to do it one at a time, just send an email to [email protected] (you can reference this thread) with a listing of all the things you need a credit for.
posted on June 26, 2003 03:40:07 PM new
They didn't put them back on at all! They said I could relist them if I want to. That is why I asked about a Vendio credit.
I will probably relist them later, but right now, I'm still searching for possibly offending wording in the listings I have left.
I probably won't be able to relist the ones that don't sale, with the refundable fee, if there are any.
Grrrrrrrr!!!!
Kat
Kathy Kieff
Gifts-N-Crafts
http://www.gifts-n-crafts.net
posted on June 26, 2003 03:43:29 PM new
I also got this email from them.
********************
Dear Kathy xxxxxxxx([email protected]),
We have returned your auction(s):
2330523037 Wood Carved Shelf Sconces Pair
2330521049 Wood Carved Corner Shelf Sconce
2330519308 Six Fimo Dolphin Incense Holders GNC
2330517936 Wood & Wrought Iron Key Cabinet GNC
2330516465 Cherub Wall Sconce GNC
2330514805 Cherub Heart Shape Frame GNC
2326431353 Shabby Elegance White Metal Wall Planter GNC
2326430076 Shabby Elegance White Rooster Wall Clock GNC
2326429533 Shabby Elegance White Rooster Tray/Plaque GNC
2181187152 Dragon's Mouth Sword GNC
3615216778 Giraffe Figurine GNC
2638053147 Jade and CZ Pendant MSRP $61.95
2638052658 Citrine and CZ Ring MSRP $74.95
2638051797 Blue Topaz Ring MSRP $86.95
2638051148 Mans Onyx Ring MSRP $74.95
2638050764 CZ Cluster Ring MSRP $98.95
2638050322 Channel Set Ruby Eternity Ring MSRP $62.95
2638048349 Heart Love Pendant MSRP $52.95
2736175622 ARIZONA SUN DEVILS SPARKY MUSICAL MASCOT
2331419312 Antique Look Wall Mirror and Sconce GNC
2331687945 Cherub on Column Statue GNC
2331661516 Cherub Fountain GNC
2331648037 Three-Headed Dragon Incense Holder GNC
2331631171 Cherub Round Incense Holder GNC
2331606418 Indian Elephant Incense Holder GNC
2331566533 Happy Buddha Incense Holder GNC
2331504235 Last Supper with Mirror Backdrop GNC
2331455628 Antique Look Wall Sconce GNC
2330529943 Wrought Iron Look Mantle Clock GNC
2330526551 Glass Globe Candleholder Shabby Elegance
to the site, where it now appears as an ended item. Additionally, if there were any bidders for the auction(s) listed above, we have emailed each of them a copy of the following letter:
"You recently had placed a bid on auction(s):
2330523037 Wood Carved Shelf Sconces Pair
2330521049 Wood Carved Corner Shelf Sconce
2330519308 Six Fimo Dolphin Incense Holders GNC
2330517936 Wood & Wrought Iron Key Cabinet GNC
2330516465 Cherub Wall Sconce GNC
2330514805 Cherub Heart Shape Frame GNC
2326431353 Shabby Elegance White Metal Wall Planter GNC
2326430076 Shabby Elegance White Rooster Wall Clock GNC
2326429533 Shabby Elegance White Rooster Tray/Plaque GNC
2181187152 Dragon's Mouth Sword GNC
3615216778 Giraffe Figurine GNC
2638053147 Jade and CZ Pendant MSRP $61.95
2638052658 Citrine and CZ Ring MSRP $74.95
2638051797 Blue Topaz Ring MSRP $86.95
2638051148 Mans Onyx Ring MSRP $74.95
2638050764 CZ Cluster Ring MSRP $98.95
2638050322 Channel Set Ruby Eternity Ring MSRP $62.95
2638048349 Heart Love Pendant MSRP $52.95
2736175622 ARIZONA SUN DEVILS SPARKY MUSICAL MASCOT
2331419312 Antique Look Wall Mirror and Sconce GNC
2331687945 Cherub on Column Statue GNC
2331661516 Cherub Fountain GNC
2331648037 Three-Headed Dragon Incense Holder GNC
2331631171 Cherub Round Incense Holder GNC
2331606418 Indian Elephant Incense Holder GNC
2331566533 Happy Buddha Incense Holder GNC
2331504235 Last Supper with Mirror Backdrop GNC
2331455628 Antique Look Wall Sconce GNC
2330529943 Wrought Iron Look Mantle Clock GNC
2330526551 Glass Globe Candleholder Shabby Elegance
which had been ended by eBay. After review of this auction, we have found that it had been ended in error.
As a result, we have informed the seller that they may relist their item if they wish to do so. Please feel free to re-bid on this item under the new item number. To locate the new item number, please check the sellers list of auctions at:
posted on June 26, 2003 03:46:04 PM new
I live in Central Florida, and have my passes for eBay Live. I am not able to go, however, as my car has developed a transmission problem.
Now I am tempted to drive it over there anyway, and give someone heck! And the heck with tearing up my car!
LOL
posted on June 26, 2003 03:52:50 PM new
I forgot to say, that earlier today, I got a notice that I had a listing canceled because it had 2 counters. I somehow forgot about the Vendio counter (maybe the aggravation with the earlier cancellations got to me), and I added a free one from somewhere else, Andale maybe (which eBay offers), when I was revising to remove the offending word "net".
Everyone beware of words or items you shouldn't have in your eBay listings!
Kat
Kathy Kieff
Gifts-N-Crafts
http://www.gifts-n-crafts.net
If you can email the list to [email protected], that would be great. Regarding relisting -- if you run into any trouble with the relists of these items, let me know. I am not sure how these will relist since eBay did put them back but as ended listings. Usually when you relist something that got cancelled and shows up as 'invalid item' in ebay's database, you have to copy that listing and launch the copy. But this might not be the case with these listings...either way please let me know.
posted on June 27, 2003 08:27:45 AM new
I just got another 15 canceled! This time for:
****************
Your listing(s) contained the following information:
"clickable banner leads to - http://imagehost.vendio.com/my/shop/img.x?user=giftsncrafts&image=.vshop_logo (other auctions (not all with e-bay) with shopping cart available on site)"
***************
Kat
Kathy Kieff
Gifts-N-Crafts
http://www.gifts-n-crafts.net
[ edited by giftsncrafts on Jun 27, 2003 08:28 AM ]
posted on June 27, 2003 08:31:28 AM new
Uh oh ... I'll bet I'm going to be in trouble .... I have wording in there, please visit my store for additional quantities of this and other items available at fixed price. ...
They must have changed their rules on that ... used to be as I recall that you couldn't sell the same item for less than offered on ebay.
Can anyone clarify?
I have three active auctions right now, but I use the same wording and relist over and over ....
They seem to be getting greedier and greedier and it's all about them getting every sale. I guess they need to pay that judgement they got hit with for patent violation and they're wanting US to pay for it!
posted on June 27, 2003 08:39:15 AM new
This morning, the first email to pop up was, yes, from eBay. My "About Me" page was in violation, because it had 2 links to third party sites (I don't think so-mine, and Vendio)
Everyone had better beware! This makes over 50 of my listings ended by eBay in the last few days.
Kat
Kathy Kieff
Gifts-N-Crafts
http://www.gifts-n-crafts.net
posted on June 27, 2003 09:06:15 AM new
Sonya,
Here are the ones that were done through Vendio:
2331849322 Safari Patchwork Vase GNC
2331863810 American Flag Patchwork Candlestick GNC
2331868369 Safari Patchwork Candlestick GNC
The others were relists I did through eBay.
Kat
Kathy Kieff
Gifts-N-Crafts
http://www.gifts-n-crafts.net
You will need to remove two of the links to your store since eBay indicated that there were three there. They only allow one -- you are using the store template, which inserts a store link already via the logo at the top of the template. There is a link to your store in the listing that violates eBay's TOS because it leads directly to your store and doesn't follow their two click rule (the link you should use is http://shop.vendio.com/giftsncrafts/category/100001/, in case you were wondering). You've also got the gallery icon at the very bottom which you can remove by deselecting the 'promo' option for the store in Store Manager (technically you don't really need that if you want to stay within the TOS since you've got the link up at the top already).
It is up to you which link you want to keep that leads to your Vendio store, I wrote what I wrote above going on the notion you would most likely want to keep on using the store template in your listings.
I'm not really sure what the deal was with the About Me page -- there are two links there, one to your store URL and another to your terms of service so maybe that is what they were referring to? If they didn't tell you the exact links, you might want to contact them to ask.
Let me know if you need any more assistance with this.
posted on June 27, 2003 10:19:57 AM new
Sonya,
I had a link to Vendio also. That was the main complaint they had. I also had my logo clickable. I changed that to a "favorite link". I have emailed them to ask if it is now in compliance, since those were the only 2 they referred to.
Kat
Kathy Kieff
Gifts-N-Crafts
http://www.gifts-n-crafts.net
posted on June 27, 2003 11:15:35 AM new
I don't believe it! I just listened to my voice mail, and had a call from someone at eBay, apologizing for my problems. Of course, they haven't done anything about it. LOL
Kat
Kathy Kieff
Gifts-N-Crafts
http://www.gifts-n-crafts.net
posted on June 28, 2003 08:33:28 AM new
The only way Ebay looks at or closes your auctions is if another Ebayer reports your auctions as being in violation. That is what they told me when they closed my auctions. They don't have the staff to police auctions so count on "THE EBAY COMMUNITY" TO BE THEIR EYES AND TURN IN REPORTS ON VIOLATIONS. Your making the competition unhappy. YOU MUST HAVE A GOOD BIZ THAT THEY ARE JEALOUS OF. They have no life and spend there days and nights sharping a knife and sticking it in your back. It sucks does'nt it? Petty people really make Ebay a tough pill to swallow at times. Don't break the car over this, find a new way to skin the cat!
MELDOLLDRESS
posted on June 28, 2003 10:40:32 AM new
Good morning Kat,
I wanted to let you know that I have received your emails and have been reading this post as well regarding your cancelled auctions. I will get back to you shortly. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help.
posted on June 28, 2003 01:56:57 PM new
Tara,
Thanks for all the help and support. I am supposed to be at eBay Live this weekend, but thanks to my car, my eBay problems, now virus received via email, which I have been cleaning up all day, I don't think I'm going to make it, or even if I want to.
Kat
Kathy Kieff
Gifts-N-Crafts
http://www.gifts-n-crafts.net
posted on June 30, 2003 06:03:57 PM new
I just want to say how great Tara and Sonya have been. You two deserve a raise!
As a matter of interest to all, here is a quote from one of the response emails I received from eBay. I didn't ask for a name of anyone.
********************
Please let me assure you that we only review listings that are reported
to us by members like yourself who believe these listings to be in
violation of our selling guidelines. Only after extensive review do we
take action on those listings that we deem to be contradictory to our
listing policy.
eBay does not keep a record of the identities of those who report
auctions for alleged violations of our listing rules. Nevertheless, due
to privacy concerns, we would be unable to divulge such information were
it available. That said, please understand that any time an auction is
reported to us for an alleged violation of one of our listing rules, we
will review the auction solely upon its own merits, and take action in
accordance with our site policies. We will never permit the perceived
intentions of a reporting party color our enforcement decision.
******************************
Kat
Kathy Kieff
Gifts-N-Crafts
http://www.gifts-n-crafts.net
