Hello,

My ebay name is PersonalTalk2000.  I sell different items and really like ebooks since I have been able to learn more and more about different areas of interest primarily in the making money, ebay, internet and online marketing areas.  Well, imagine my surprise when I received notice that my Powerseller status could be revoked for selling items too low.

If you have considered marketing a low cost item in hopes to have buyers click through to check out your other items such as possibly making multiple purchases (which many of my customers do) and / or using them as a loss leader like every grocery store in America to help bring in shoppers...WELL...BE WARNED!!!  Because for selling an electronic item for LESS THAN ONE DOLLAR you could be looked at as trying to do something called feedback manipulation. 

For marketers out there, you may have heard of one of my mentors named Dan Kennedy.  He discusses loss leaders BUT more importantly discusses CLIENT ACQUISITION or the cost to acquire a customer.  For example some companies will even lose money on getting a client on their first sale with the plan to continue to build a relationship with them so that you can end up making multiple sales over the life of the client. 

Like me, I am building a business to help people with my "Money Making" ezine.  And having affiliates is something more important to me than just ONE SALE.  To me what is the difference say from an ebook at $.97 versus $1.00 NOT MUCH....BUT it is as far as ebay rules. 

Because selling an electronic item for LESS THAN $1.00 COULD get you in trouble as the following what I received:

Dear personaltalk2000,

Thank you for writing eBay in regard to your ended eBay listing.

I recognize your concerns and that you would like your question answered
in a timely manner.

Feedback is central to the eBay experience. It's a record of a member's
past behavior. Frequently, it's what members use to decide whether to
trade with someone or not. Helping people outwit the Feedback system is
damaging to the eBay marketplace.

Selling and buying low-priced (less than $1), "non-physical" items (such
as eBooks, recipes, and desktop wallpapers) with low or no shipping and
handling charges simply to artificially increase your Feedback Score, is
not permitted. Selling a book (or eBook) on how to increase Feedback
illegitimately is also prohibited.

Please understand that repeated violations of eBay policies may result
in a range of actions, including listing cancellation, loss of listing
fees, account restrictions, and loss of PowerSeller status.

For more information about the eBay Feedback Manipulation policy, please
go to:

Ebay, click on policies, then click on feedback manipulation.

While I can appreciate that you have your own interpretation of our
policy and how it should be enforced, it is important to know that
eBay's rules are applied evenly across the board for all sellers and
buyers on the site. We do this to maintain a fair trading platform for
all sellers, and while we understand you might not agree with the way we
see fit to handle certain aspects of our site, all sellers are expected
to read, understand, and abide by all policies and regulations before
they post on the site.

I understand that you may disagree with eBay's decision to maintain this
policy. If you would like us to consider a policy change, you can send
your suggestions by following these directions:

1. Click on "site map" located at the very top of every eBay page.
2. Click on the link titled "Suggestion Box" found in the third column
near the bottom.
3. Click on the link titled "Send us your suggestion to improve the eBay
site."

Although you may not see a policy change as a result of your suggestion,
the appropriate personnel will be made aware of your position on this
issue.

I understand your frustration regarding this matter and apologize for
the inconvenience it caused you.

Sincerely,

Morris
eBay Customer Support

I have put this in to help each and everyone who reads this.  I sincerely wish all the best for all of you in the ebay community.

THANK YOU.

PersonalTalk2000