Another Ebay rule change!

[D. Bergin]

Found this one by accident. Guess I'll have to update my template when I get a chance.

Apparently Ebay now frowns upon sellers having "selling terms" and "Policies".

Honestly, I don't know how sellers with thousands of items in their stores can keep up with the constant whims of the Ebay bureaucracy.

I didn't even know this was a rule. Stumbled upon it when I went to go revise an item and the following popped up.


A listing may not include statements that discourage bidding activity.

For example, you cannot say things like:

"Find out more about our selling practices policy."

“Don’t bid if you do not agree with my terms”

This kind of information is unprofessional and may discourage good buying activity on your item.

Please edit your listing, making sure there's no mention of these words or something similar. If there is, you won't be able to list your item. This could also negatively impact your ability to participate in the Top-rated seller program.

Find out more about our selling practices policy.


Of course this is because Ebay cares about us, and the number of bids we get. They don't want us scaring away potential bidders with silly "terms" and "policies".

Hard for me to wrap my head around the purpose of this. Somebody with sociopathic control issues must be in charge of the ship.

"Just a venue"


Vent over. Learn to adapt Dave, learn to adapt (pep talk to myself).

[Exhibitman]

Actually, it makes sense to me and is unsurprising. Ebay has long announced its intent to move closer to the Amazon marketplace and away from the garage sale model. Amazon does requires all sellers to abide by the same policies. Many sellers put in terms that are contrary to express Ebay policies. I've seen sellers demand payment in less time than Ebay mandates, refuse to guarantee receipt of items in contravention of Paypal and Ebay policy, and so on. Ebay is trying to standardize transactions.

[Leon]

I find it hard to understand that saying "Please don't bid if you are not going to pay" is against any type of commercial rule. It's freaking common sense. So, I wonder if you can say "Please pay after you win". Amazing. Next Ebay will tell you what kind of toilet paper to use.

[scmavl]

I'm still miffed about ebay telling me a couple of weeks ago that I can only now sell $500 per month. After being a member for a 2+ years and having 100% feedback. Nice job, ebay. Way to alienate your customers.

[ibuysportsephemera]

Hi Dave,

Do you know when they started this policy, or when they will begin enforcing it?

Thanks,

Jeff

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by ibuysportsephemera

Hi Dave,

Do you know when they started this policy, or when they will begin enforcing it?

Thanks,

Jeff

No idea Jeff. I never saw an announcement and I just stumbled upon it last night, by accident when I edited a typo in one of my listings.

I have a statement in big, bold letters at the bottom of my listings which basically says, "If you don't like my shipping rates, please do not bid. They are clearly stated in the auction."

It was something I added, mainly in frustration. I'll change it to be a bit less blunt I guess.

Apparently Ebay is getting complaints because bidders don't like to read descriptions anymore. Even if they are in big, bold letters.

[novakjr]

Ebay is pretty much over-stepping their boundaries, BUT they ARE trying to make sure you get the most out of your auctions. Not because they give a crap about you though, but because they give a crap about their percentage and fees.. There shouldn't be anything wrong with sellers having their own standards or rules, but then again, ebay doesn't care. You're the one taking the risk, and not them.

[slidekellyslide]

Ebay placed restrictions on me two months ago after a good 6-7 year run as a seller with ZERO negative feedbacks...and last month they stripped me of my top seller rating and my 20% discount because in the last three months I've gotten three 1 or 2 DSR ratings for 'communication'. So three of my buyers who felt I didn't communicate well enough with them cost me $170 last month. It's exasperating..I've scaled waaayyy back on my selling this month. Maybe I'll go back to my regular listing habits when I get my 20% discount back. I don't understand why ebay wants to kill off auctions and become more like Amazon...there's already a site like that and it's called Amazon.

[xdrx]

Originally Posted by novakjr

Ebay is pretty much over-stepping their boundaries, BUT they ARE trying to make sure you get the most out of your auctions. Not because they give a crap about you though, but because they give a crap about their percentage and fees.. There shouldn't be anything wrong with sellers having their own standards or rules, but then again, ebay doesn't care. You're the one taking the risk, and not them.

From a buyer's perspective I'd certainly prefer standardized rules. I don't want to have to read the fine print of every ad I look at to make sure there are no unusual terms or conditions. In fact, it is my understanding that a seller's rules don't supersede eBay's anyway, so it really just seems to be added confusion and increased potential for disagreements.