Avoid Aggreviation by following eBay Policies

The following article reviews some of eBay's many policies and it's intention is to educate the new seller or veteran listing a certain object for the first time.

Recently, I had some listings removed from eBay, but why?  For some veteran sellers, this may be nothing new, or why should I care? But, perhabs its the first time your listing a WWII item related to Germany and Hitler for example. 

 If your new to eBay, read the policies the first time and make notes if planning to sell a lot of different items in various categories.  It's easy to forget and get bogged down with long paragraphs of what you can and can't do. Also, do you want to answer multiple e-mails about why a persons bid for an item ended and explain? eBay doesn't give people an explanation other than seller violated a policy.

Payment - The Change in what you can accept.

Cash and Carry - eBay says no more.....

I used to be able to say Cash accepted at Buyers Risk. The reason is due to concerns over fraud. I don't agree with eBay, but see where an obvious problem occurs.  You still can accept cash, but it has to be addressed away from eBay. The cash situation now leads to yet more e-mails.  Most of my transactions are a few bucks, and a good amount of people don't want to deal with a check for $2 or use Paypal for concerns over online fraud in my opinion, etc. So, now don't say I accept cash otherwise your listing will be deleted from eBay. It's also enforced due to the increase of fraud. Practically, anybody can sell on eBay. If you see someone having a user id change frequently be weary.

Western Union, I can see. What has happened is a third party acting on one's behalf picks the money up and thus, leaves the buyer without merchandise. Since it's hard to trace where and who actually picked the money up.  The scam has been ongoing and was mentioned in the Chicago SunTimes this week. If you see a second chance offer on something you didn't win, record the eBay # and do a search. Lastly, ask the seller on eBay - not via the e-mail you received.  If you did respond and contact indicates Western Union, then something is wrong!

Historical Items - Why Can't I say what it really is?

Too bad a lot of us have become politically correct. Nazi, Holocaust, Black, Iraq items after 1980 have a connotation of hate, and thus some people are sensitive.  You may say Nazi Helmet of what an object really is, but now someone labels you as a racist.  Simply say German artifact for example. Also, there items you just can't sell period. A whole illicit trade of stolen antiquities out of Iraq is a relatively new problem.  The artificats are historical treasures, thus, this is why eBay enacted the policy.  Political items are also of concern and the eBay policy really has to be read. Parts of it are still vague to even me.

Roll Out The Billy Beer - Not so Fast!

Brewania is a hot collectible and Billy Beer appears quite frequently.  Unless your stupid, no one in their right mine is going to drink a can of Billy Beer which is over 30 years old. However, if you say cans are still full of beer, but disclaim it's not for consumption; eBay will still delist your item.  The reason has to do with United States laws, but also eBay not wanting to get in trouble with big brother. My advice is just don't list the item or take your chances by not disclosing that there's indeed alchol.

How can eBay make a bad situation better for buyer and seller when a policy is violated?

There's a lot of policies eBay has to protect sellers, buyers, and of course eBay from lawsuits and/or to give the impression of a resonsible corporate citizen. eBay will notify you about the mistake and state why, but won't tell the bidder as pointed out previously. Problem is now you have to rewrite the listings if wanting to sell. It would be nice to have a grace period to fix what you did wrong. As a seller, I use the relist a similar item. If I made a mistake, then all of the other listings will not comply with eBay. Good news is  Ebay does give a credit back to your account. eBay should also tell the buyer the actual reason or have a link to part of it's policy.

Conclusion

I don't agree with not being able to promote one's business outside of eBay unless you pay ebay money for banner ads, etc. However, it's yet another policy I agreed to when signing up. When you sell on eBay your entering into a contract. Same goes when you get hired on a job. There will always be issues which we don't agree with or see as vague, but knowing these rules upfront can avoid a lot of aggreviation. I also see why some rules were put in place to protect a consumer. Learn from my example and  enjoy a better selling experience.