I recently had 5 adult auctions ended by eBay. Before listing these, I read, RE-READ, and then READ AGAIN eBay's new policies. I searched their site EXTENSIVELY to make sure that no rules were being violated.
All was going well, and then 2 days ago eBay ended ALL 5 auctions I listed on the same day.
HERE IS THE WEIRD PART: eBay NEVER SENT me a notice telling me WHY they ended these auctions! I emailed them and have received NO response, not even the usual form letter they provide. And I am a POWERSELLER!!!!
Some of my other adult auctions, they didn't touch but I cannot find any difference in these auctions. Only that they were listed on DIFFERENT DAYS!
Does anyone who sells adult stuff know what the new, customary UNWRITTEN EBAY RULES are? I cannot seem to get an answer, and it is REALLY frustrating!
And, NO I do not list kiddie porn, violent videos, etc. NONE of the pictures featured any type of frontal nudity. I don't do that kind of stuff. The descriptions were VERY TAME - nothing explicit. No S&M, profanity, animals, etc. was listed. Believe me, these were VERY TAME (by adult video standards) tapes and were listed within the MATURE AUDIENCES category.
All box scans were MINE and the ads written by me. Only ONE (as opposed to their limit of two) graphic was used.
So, I cannot figure out what is going on here, and I don't want to risk losing my account, as I sell NON adult items as well, and never seem to have a problem with those.
Lastly, YES, all models are over 18 and comply with the 2257 laws, etc. No amateur stuff, no hidden video stuff, no extreme stuff.
Please, if you have had this problem, let me know if you are "in the know" about what is going on. I know eBay would probably prefer to just delete all the adult stuff altogether, and I'd almost be happy if they did as I list on Yahoo as well. But eBay drives a lot of adult sales for me - sales I DON'T want to lose.
Any info appreciated.
BTW: cdseller is NOT my eBay ID, and I am NOT posting this to try to sell anyone anything.
posted on December 29, 2000 07:51:46 PM new
it would be easier to know if I could look at one of your auctions that was still running. Do you want to post an auction number?
I'm assuming this is an original and not a copy? I am sure you already know that copies will get you shut down even (especially?) in the adult section. But you sound as if you area already a smart enough seller to know that.
Who made your videos (the ones that got shut down)? Some companies don't even like people selling originals. If they're by a certain company that starts with P (I'll let you figure it out) they can get down right nasty protecting their rights.
It's always possible that the anti-porn people were just reporting random auctions, which is why some got taken down but not all. If you were in the proper adult category, though, that would be less likely than if you were in the mainstream sections. Ebay itself is doing a crackdown on adult sellers sneaking into mainstream categories since the adult categories got a search of their own.
Post an auction number and I'll give you any more info I can suggest, but that's about all I can think of without seeing the auction.
posted on December 29, 2000 08:57:16 PM new
I had an auction ended because of the use of the word "extreme". The video was themed around extreme sports like bungee jumping which was followed by some extreme sex as I phrased it. Me, I just chalked it up to some over enthusiastic but under experienced help and added the word extreme to George Carlin's list of eight banned words.
As for what might have happened to you, if you are a power seller, you may have gotten a notice but innocently deleted it along with the dozens of repetitious email from eBay. I wonder if it might be linking to a website which a lot of adult sellers do, usually pretty blatent fee avoidance stuff. Also some websites have material that is banned and that alone can get you pulled.
Hope you get an answer, and that you will share it with us.
posted on January 1, 2001 09:23:15 AM new
Believe it or not, most of these difficulties are avoided by listing X-rated material in comedy or film classics (where some absolutely truly belong). I seriously ask if "Behind the Green Door" is not a film classic or is "Debby Does Dallas" not a possible comedy classic? I got away with these listing for 4 days, and was prepared to argue my position, before ebay changed my listings. :>
posted on January 1, 2001 09:26:05 AM new
cdseller ... the only thing to do is pick several other powersellers who have 2 logos and LOTS of adult auctions up. Spend several hours systematically turning in EVERY one of their auctions to eBay. In your complaint, cite the leter from eBay that states your box scan nd the two logos count as "pictures"
If enough powersellers get whacked, and #*!@, eBay will back down.
posted on January 1, 2001 04:55:41 PM new
when ebay decided to make their guidelines for adult items so strict, several sellers got together and opened a new site where you can describe your items in whatever manner you want to. if youre interested in the url, email me and i'll be happy to send it to you.
