Here's the email below I got from eBay after emailing them to report about yet another choice auction as "fee avoidance".
Their answer pertains to two earlier discussions here. One was the thread about sellers ending auctions early to avoid reserve fees. The other was the thread about the "handling fee" being added after the auction indicated there was no "shipping fee".
(yes, I know handling is a needed expense that the seller deserves, but should be stated up front, and not implied it is free as well)
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We will thoroughly review the listing(s) you have reported for Fee
Circumvention violations. We often rely on members like you to bring
these violations to our attention.
We base our decisions for this offense on the content of the item
description, item title, and shipping information. We recognize that
there are ways to circumvent eBay fees that are not reflected in the
listings themselves. If you suspect that a seller is avoiding eBay fees
outside the listing text, please contact us through one of the following
Webforms:
a) In Section 1, select "Ask about bidding or buying;"
b) In Section 2, select "Problems with sellers;"
c) In Section 3, select "Seller ended the listing early to avoid
reserve price fees."
a) In Section 1, select "Ask about bidding or buying;"
b) In Section 2, select "Problems with sellers;"
c) In Section 3, select "Seller asked for additional fees after the
listing ended."
In light of our privacy policy, we cannot share any action taken by eBay
with respect to this listing. If we determine that the listing violates
eBay policy, we may:
- send the seller an informational alert;
- remove the listing; or
- suspend the seller.
Account suspensions are usually reserved for those sellers that
continuously disregard policy.
For more information on eBay's Fee Circumvention Policy, please visit:
It only took me five years lol... but the light bulb is finally on!
Lets face it, we all fell in love with Ebay at the beginning.. our new best friend, fun, a new adventure, the thrill of the sale, easy money...with Mom and Pop Ebay looking out for the best interests of their new family..
POOF! Sorry, I must have been dreaming!
It is just Business all Business.. and as far as Ebay is concerned.. it is Survival of the Fittest.. (Fittest being those who make the most money for Ebay). And the rest of us Peons in the Peanut Gallery.. are just a minor annoyance..
I for one won't waste my time asking them for help again.. Maggie
posted on June 15, 2004 09:25:42 AM new
What I don't get is that I had reported a choice auction that had three pairs of women's Reebok shoes that eBay never ended. It was for three different sizes of the same style, highest bidder to choose the pair they wanted, next bidder down to get next choice and so on.
I kept checking back and it was still running. If I remember, I saw the same one again a week later.
I don't purposefully go looking for listing violations to report. And I usually only report what is obviously an experienced seller trying to avoid the very fees the erst of us pay. It guess it just chaps me when I find an item I want to bid on, but the auction is screwy and I know better that to put myself at the mercy of an ignorant or possibly shady seller who knows better.
