Reporting my 72 hr Listing ban on ebay for being a violator…

[BigSally]

Ebay warned me not to sell my spring loaded tactical knife and took down my listing…So I created a new listing and did not include the spring loaded feature- It is a well known tactical knife and there are others listed. The knife sold quickly and I listed another exactly like it (sell similar). This one sat for about 3 weeks, and yesterday I got busted by the ebay fuzz. My sentence- Can’t list anything for 3 days. Guilty as charged.

I’ve never sold knives like this in the past, I should have checked into it before I paid up for them. Bought them for 50 each sold the 1st for 179.00 now I am stuck (so to speak) with the other. Don’t think I want to sell it on Offer Up or craigslist….

I hope this helps someone down the road…

• This topic was modified 5 years, 7 months ago by BigSally.

[Jay]

When eBay flags us, we sometimes try relisting with different words hoping we avoid the trigger. But it’s a dangerous game because eBay doesn’t like when you go against their rules. Glad it was only a 3-day suspension.

[IndySales]

The laws on automatic knives are probably too complicated for eBay to bother fussing with. There’s also the Federal Switchblade Act, but I believe that only applies to manufacturers. IMO, whenever an item of mine gets taken down I just back out of selling it entirely.

Sounds like a decent local flip, though.

[Temudgin]

It’s a good lesson. If my personal experience is any guide, ebay will be monitoring your listings from now on, but especially closely in the immediate future. When this happens it’s good to have a heightened awareness of some of the more obscure eBay prohibitions to avoid running afoul again, like the random company merch that is aggressively VERO enforced, postal uniforms, and things like that that a seller might have listed.

If it were me and Craigslist was not an option, I might consider putting the other knife away for a year and then including it in a junk drawer lot in the generic Collectibles / Wholesale Lots / Other Collectible Lots because the knife buyers scour those listings. But it’s still taking a chance.

[BigSally]

Thanks Temudgin- I was wondering about that. I’m looking at my listings now. Most of my stuff is vintage or antique. But I do have some brand name stuff that will auto relist-paws crossed-

Oh and my listings are being auto relisted/ good till cancelled so the ban does not override the GTC feature-

Self imposed punishment + spread bark mulch today and think about my mistake 😉

[BigSally]

For others don’t go down this road I think I’m banned again or about to be banned if I screw up one more time. This listing removal notice ended with the following paragraph-

“Listings that don’t follow this policy in the future will be ended. In addition, there will be a temporary 3-day restriction placed on your account, and your other listings will be hidden from search during this period. All fees paid or payable for listings that are ended and/or hidden from search will not be refunded or otherwise credited to your account.”

My crime? Listing an antique railroad key from a defunct rail company. I am guilty, and uneducated. So of course I didn’t see a problem listing something I’ve seen a bazillion listings on. Ignorance is bliss until now.

I searched for one of my items by title and it came up for me-
Vintage USS Nimitz Hat Cap New Old Stock Made in USA Navy USN Aircraft Carrier

So I think it applies to future violations?

[Temudgin]

I assume you’re SallysUniverse? If so, yes, your ball cap is showing up in search for “USS Nimitz hat cap” for me. In fact, both your sponsored listing and generic listing showed up.

The restriction must be for the future. Interesting that it is so specific regarding a 3 day restriction. I just had a listing with “Persian” in the title removed this week. (I know Iranian goods are prohibited but didn’t think the ‘bots would be smart enough to make the connection, especially in the Antiques category and with many hundreds of “Persian” items listed.)

My notice said: “Be sure that your current and future listings, including any items that are relisted automatically, follow these guidelines. If they don’t, they’ll be removed and your fees may not be refunded. It could also result in additional actions, including loss of buying and selling privileges on eBay.”

[BigSally]

Yep thats me- thanks for checking… And I just sold something… I’m convinced now it was a stern warning.
best
sally

[Old Dad]

“Violaters will be persecuted”

[Sharyn]

Why can’t you list an antique railroad key from a defunct railroad company? There’a policy against that?

[Temudgin]

Yes, it’s under the Government, transit, and shipping-related items policy. Not allowed: “Keys, locks, tools, or anything (regardless of how old the item is) that can control transit vehicles. Examples include railway switch keys or switch lock keys.”

[Sharyn]

Wow, I had no idea. Not something that a random seller would know.

[Antique Frog]

I used “Qajar” to list a Persian tray after I got the Iran warning; you could try “Ayatollah’s Paradise” 😉

[Temudgin]

I saw some listings using Qajar. My worry is that if they have now made the connection to Iran with Persian (which I have been using for years without a problem – there’s even a Regional Design filter in carpets category for Persian), they might make the connection with Qajar.

EBay has tolerated my occasional transgression over the years with no further punishment other than killing the offending listing but I have never relisted a specific item they told me not to relist. I don’t want to push my luck.

As for Ayatollah’s Paradise, I’d love to use that in a title.

[Mark S]

The good news is that violations do roll off of your account, after 1 year. Or at least that used to be the policy. 3 strikes in a year and usually you are out, but there are always exceptions.

So try to keep clean for a year and you should be good.

Mark

[BigSally]

Mark “try to keep clean for a year” haha I’ll do my best. I’ve never been an outlaw before which explains why I’m no good at it. is it 3 in a calendar year or rolling?
If I screw up at a rate of 1 per 5 mos, I may be OK. One random Velcro indiscretion or some other violation already exists in my listings I’m sure.
I list a fair share of military WWII items and always get the prohibited items warning pop up – and since I don’t sell hate (nazi) I continue to list. Never a problem. Sold some Navy Pilots wings this morning 🙂

Another lesson learned…

When persian rugs are outlawed, only outlaws will own persian rugs…And RR keys.

[Libby]

Any information on the word Persian being used? Ebay said we could use it, so does the problem only apply to rugs? Does anyone have a clear situation where there was a violation or ebay took down your listing? I have some persian wool vintage items and ebay said they were okay but as we all know, that is subject to change. Just looking for more information on the “persian” description. Thanks!

[Temudgin]

Last week eBay removed my listing for a Persian Ghalam Zani Tinned Copper Repousse Metal Tray specifically for an “Embargoed goods policy” violation. Nowhere was Iran mentioned in the listing so I have to assume that the word “Persian” was the trigger. The eBay policy prohibits all goods from Iran – which used to be called Persia – regardless of age. Ebay took down the listing and then sent an email informing me of the violation and their actions.

[Antique Frog]

It’s all Persian on eBay UK, including new home decor items, except for Iranian Embassy Siege (books and “art prints”). I suppose Persian Embassy Siege just sounds a bit naff.

[Author]

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