posted on September 7, 2003 03:11:15 PM new
Just venting.
Posted a vintage hearing aid in a really cool box. Put in the description for collectible sale only. Reread the FDA and EBAY info, blah, blah, blah. Didn't find an exception for this. The device was from 1931.
So I ended the listing about 9 minutes after I posted it. So it spent zero time basically on Ebay.
32 hours later I get a Cancelled Your Listing Early notice from Ebay. Hmmmmmmm.
How could they cancel something that wasn't even there???
I zipped off an email explaining that I pulled it myself for those reasons stated and didn't feel that I should be cited on the record since they could check and see that I took it down immediately.
They wrote back and told me Too bad - warning is on your record - Bad Gerri - Don't do that again. Won't matter if you're a good girl and refrain from doing such naughty things again.
What horsepucky. Like every seller has every single rule, regulation and Vero member memorized. Honest mistake made. Corrected. But still screwed.
posted on September 7, 2003 04:23:08 PM new
why would they end it anyway? there are all kinds of medical quackery items for sale on ebay, why not vintage hearing aid?
I have sold several pairs of vintage eyeglasses, why not a vintage hearing aid?
posted on September 7, 2003 05:18:27 PM new
[i]32 hours later I get a Cancelled Your Listing Early notice from Ebay. Hmmmmmmm.
How could they cancel something that wasn't even there??? [/i]
Something's amiss. The only thing I can think is an ebay software program caught the ended listing and considered the infraction worth a warning letter even though you ended it 9 minutes into its run. They couldn't end it but want to make sure that you knew that they knew it had been listed in violation of ebay rules.
-------------- sig file ----------- President John F. Kennedy said, "There are three things which are real: God, human folly and laughter. The first two are beyond our comprehension, so we must do what we can with the third."
posted on September 7, 2003 06:25:55 PM new
Rarriffle apparently the FDA doesn't want someone buying a second hand hearing aid.
The notice cautions that you should see a doctor, etc. etc.
Basically, you have to have a license to sell hearing aids in order to list one.
I see all kinds of things on there that promise to help you lose weight, grow hair, whatever and none of these have any scientific basis or proof, but I don't see them pulling those auctions.
Yes, AuctionAce, I think that they wanted me to know that it warranted a warning, but they still didn't address my question about the age and the collectible question. They have antique hearing aids listed, those old horn type without any FDA guidelines.
Oh well, live and learn. Either it was a software glitch, or they have so many cancelled listings that they are backlogged!LOL.
posted on September 7, 2003 06:57:16 PM new
I had an auction pulled once for the same reason. If you examine the email from Ebay carefully, you will see that it was pulled because the wording of the auction was not in accordance with their guidelines for that particular category. You can relist it if you structure your description in accordance with their rules and include the required information.
You know it's gonna be a bad day when the first email in your inbox is from [email protected].
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
posted on September 7, 2003 07:11:10 PM new
What doesn't make sense is if you pulled it, then why did ebay pull it. They don't close, closed auctions. My guess is you thought you pulled the auction and for some reason, it didn't get cancelled. At least that would make sense. I would repair the listing and relist.
Good luck.
posted on September 7, 2003 07:12:35 PM new
Hello sparkz!
Yes, but part of that wording says you will provide them with literature, etc. which, of course, I don't have since I don't sell hearing aids.
It's kind of a Catch-22. I could include the required wording in my description, but I couldn't fulfill the requirements that the wording outlines.
posted on September 7, 2003 07:17:08 PM new
Hello stonecold,
When I ended my listing, I shortly thereafter received the Ebay email you get when you do that to verify that it was ended.
Go figure.
I saw in a posting awhile back that one of the regulars called you by name. I once worked with someone who called himself stonecold and had the first name of Dave.
Did you perchance reside in Indiana or do you?
I miss my old friend Dave. I thought I'd take a chance and ask...Does Video World ring a bell?
posted on September 7, 2003 07:24:00 PM new
Wow,
That is extremely bizzare then. But with ebay these days, who knows.
I guess I would e-mail again, but don't use the reply. Copy the text from the e-mail and paste it into a brand new e-mail and send it. You should get a different person that could look into the matter instead of blowing you off. (Pardon the pun)
posted on September 7, 2003 07:32:31 PM new
Penguin, sell the BOX- and show in a picture that the hearing aide is in it, but don't mention it in the wording...
"And All Shall be Well, and All Shall be Well, and All Manner of Things Shall be Well"
posted on September 7, 2003 07:49:51 PM new
stonecold,
I did reply and then emailed through Trust and Safety and still got blown off. They refunded my fees so it was a wash.
Dragonmom,
I wish I had though of that before I returned the item. I was selling (at least attempted!) the item on consignment.
I had some difficulty explaining the the whole thing to him. I still don't think he gets it, but what can you do.
posted on September 7, 2003 08:48:05 PM new
Any medical equipment has to have the original instructions from the manufacturer before it can be listed. I recall a post about 3 years ago where a Vendio member had an auction for a breast pump pulled because it didn't have the directions with it. I thought I was safe when I listed my neurostimulator because it had all the required paperwork. It was after they ended the auction that I discovered the wording in the description didn't meet their requirements. And they sure don't have those requirements for that category posted where they are easy to find. Basically, if you are not a manufacturer, authorized distributor, or a licensed M.D., you have a very fine line to walk in order to get an auction from start to finish without getting into trouble.
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
posted on September 7, 2003 09:47:24 PM new
The reason I'm wondering is that I used to sell cigarette coupons that I would get in the mail & then one time I got a polite email from ebay that they were not allowed & they pulled my auction.
I guess it was six months later that I listed more & it was only because there were about 60 auctions selling cigarette coupons. I figured if they can do it then I could too.
No, I couldn't, got another email from eBay & this one wasn't polite. I can't remember what it said, but it scared me enough never to try it again.
I had no idea eBay kept records of these emails, but I knew they did after I got the second one.
I have two strikes against me so am wondering if I make a mistake, but a different kind will that be three & we all know what three strikes on eBay means.
Right now there are 13 auctions for cigarette coupons on eBay, so how do they get away with it.
posted on September 7, 2003 10:42:37 PM new
Mcjane,
I dont know. My tendency is to think its not the same three strikes as buying infractions because I think alot of sellers are unaware of infringing on the vero rules or whatever.
I wonder if you weren't putting something in your cigeratte coupon auction that shouldnt have been there? Or maybe you didnt put something 'legal' about age or something??
I once gave alot of consideration to buying a cigeratte web site, but nixed that thought because of all the legal stuff. I am going to look at the coupon auctions right now.
posted on September 8, 2003 05:29:07 AM new
I had a few infractions last year - I think 2 at one point early in the year and then towards the end of the year I had 3 Microsoft auctions pulled at one time and they said my account was being reviewed for suspension. I apologized my a** off and stated that the last 3 were at the same time, and I didn't know about Microsoft, blah blah blah. They basically said "ok, just be careful - we're watching you".
Well, I got another notice a couple of weeks ago for some videos I was selling. They sent me the standard "Naughty Naughty" email "please don't do it again" - here's the number for powerseller support if you have questions." I don't know if the old ones are off my record since it's been a year or if they were nicer because I was a powerseller. Either way I wasn't going to sell them again just in case.
posted on September 8, 2003 06:26:51 AM new
Sometimes that just pull them for key words and don't even look at them.
Case in point - I listed an old Tommy Chong Comedian's Roast video where the comedians take turns insulting the roastee. This video happened to have been produced by Playboy.
My title read - Tommy Chong Comedy Roast Playboy Video.
Next day Your Listing Has Been Ended with the mature not permitted information.
I fired off an email to Powerseller support and asked if anyone even looked at the description. Said they would review it and get back with me.
They pretty much told me that it got pulled simply because Playboy was in the title. They "allowed" me to relist but I had to take Playboy out of the title and add in a line that said "This video does not contain nudity of any kind."
They agreed to remove the warning from my record.
So, I don't know how many you are allowed, but I would fight any you feel are unjustified. If you list a large number the odds are you are going to make a mistake every so often. And if key words are the basis for ending an auction, they could pile up.
posted on September 8, 2003 08:49:33 AM newneroter
Here is one of my cig auctions that I saved.
Nothing much in it, but enough to get it pulled.
Maybe other sellers are policing some auctions.
............................................
Three Newport Cigarette Coupons (title)
Three Newport cigarette coupons.
Two are 4.50 off a carton & one is 1.00 off a pack.
Value is 10.00
I accept personal checks, money orders & PayPal checking account & balance transfers only, no credit cards.
posted on September 8, 2003 09:10:17 AM new
McJane, I did look at the coupon auctions and the cigarette ones last night. Your's doesnt seem any different word-wise than the ones listed?? I bet some competition just wanted to yours pulled.
I wish they would tell you why or what you could change, to be in compliance with whatever rule you are supposedly breaking!
