posted on November 3, 2001 06:30:27 AM
I was wondering if there is a legal recourse to being suspended from Ebay. I received an Email this morning stating I have been suspended for continuing to list WTC Items. I had recieved a warning on 10-29 because I had "WTC" in the auction title. So I removed The "WTC" and relisted. This time they suspended me. My auctions consisted of home decor (Home Interior Pics) and bumper stickers. None with Pics of the World Trade Center.I also had 2 t-shirts one with a flag that said " These colors won't run" and another with a flag that had The WTC where the stars would be. Both had been listed several times on Ebay and sold By other sellers. They were of Eagles and Flags. I had over 300.00 in bids on my auction due to end today and Sunday.
So you can see how desperate I am to see what can be done. This is my only income right now and the money was going to cover an over due utility bill that is due for disconnect.
Boy I hate to say it. But when things in life start to fall apart they really do. Ebay has kicked me when I am already down and I was so excited my auctions were doing so well this week when I need it most. My husband left last month and I am trying to raise 4 kids and this is my main source of income.
Sorry to share my probs just wanted people to fully understand why 300.00 ment so much!
Thanks to any info able to be provided.
posted on November 3, 2001 06:51:09 AM
While I am sorry about your situation, you should have seen it coming.
The tee with the flag with the WTC image is the cause, even without the actual words since images of the WTC were banned after 9/11 to prevent people making money off the tragedy.
Continuing to run that item after a warning is the reason your other auctions were cancelled.
You can sell that tee with the WTC flag only as an Auctions for America item because you donate the proceeds to one of the agencies helping the victims families. (Though they have far too much money as it is and have been slow to actually help...)
We are all hurting sales wise, and it probably wasn't fair to other sellers with WTC items that you listed, since they followed the eBay rules and you did not.
And I bet some buyer or seller turned the item in, which is the gestapo method of "informants" ebay uses to police our auctions.
Now on what basis were you going to sue them, for enforcing their rules?
I would accept the slap on the pocketbook and move on from there. Rattling their cage could get you completely cancelled (NARU).
Perhaps you could take the WTC items to another auction site and move the remaining inventory there. If it worked, you might cut ebay out of your loop permanently.
posted on November 3, 2001 07:00:16 AM
If that specific auction was the reason then they should have said so! Not just cancell all auctions. The shirt is being sold by other sellers and not being listed in AFA. They even cancelled my AFA auctions. (Which one of these was listed in).
posted on November 3, 2001 07:51:50 AM
I'm not sure whether this is a troll or not...
Forget ebay, just go to another site. You can always set up again on ebay, but if you need sales fast, go elsewhere. Try Yahoo, Bargain and Haggle, or Amazon.
posted on November 3, 2001 09:24:16 AM
Call the utility company and ask to make "payment arrangements" They will work with you. If all else fails, call and do a "Check by phone" payment the day BEFORE your cut off date. It takes a minimum of 5-7 days for this type of payment to be processed. That will buy you some time to come up with the money.
I have several clients who use this "little trick" and it is apparently successful.
posted on November 3, 2001 09:46:34 AM
Although I have received warnings, I have managed not to be suspended ...yet (luck, I'm sure). But I'm under the impression for first offense on lesser infractions it is for 30 days....Or did they suspend you permanently?
If it is for 30 days, I would take the advice already given here, and list somewhere else awhile. Trying to get around it can result in your permanent suspension; you're much better off taking the 30 days. And heed the warnings in the future!
posted on November 3, 2001 09:55:32 AM
lol- if you know of any "other auction sites" where you can get $300 in bids on the first go round kindly share it with the rest of us
posted on November 3, 2001 08:09:35 PM
relayerone, some of the stuff I sell does better on sites other than ebay. But then again, I sell decent merchandise, not the type of trash that is usually placed on those other sites.
posted on November 3, 2001 08:29:15 PM
it sounds like you need the money so badly that you are willing to face the risk of suspension.
so now it happens,see if you can get the email addr of these high bidders and invoice them explaining your situation.
