Ebay discrimination?

[GunPanther]

Okay, now first off, I know that items like 'boot discs' are not supposed to be sold on Ebay, especially if you have an explanation in the auction description as to what an item like the "Swap Magic" discs are used for.

I recently decided to use a 'loophole' technique in order to sell my Swap Magic + Slide Tool set on Ebay; I offered the Slide Tool for sale and clearly indicated that the discs would be provided for free if you buy the slide tool.

Thinking that I was in the clear, the auction lasted for about 3 days before it was pulled by ebay for violating the 'mod-chips & boot discs' prohibited item policy.

Keep in mind that nowhere in my auction did I indicate what the discs or slide tool were used for.

Strangely enough, other sellers pop up with Swap Magic + Slide Tool auctions and they all blatantly explain exactly what the discs are used for. They use the terms like "You can play import or backup PS2 games" as well as "This is better than using a modchip" in their auction titles as well as their descriptions, and even though I've repeatedly reoprted their auctions to Ebay (under several different usernames), their auctions still exist whereas mine have been pulled. (twice, as a matter of fact, with the same BS explanation as to how I've violated their policy regarding the modchips/boot discs)

What do you all think? (Try to think about how ebay is operating, not about what's being sold)

I feel that someone at ebay just doesn't like me or my auctions.

I've re-listed the auction for a third time, hoping that it will sell this time around before ebay shuts it down. Just to try my luck, I copied one of the other sellers' descriptions fully as well as the title. If ebay still shuts it down, it's no big loss to me since they fully refund all my listing fees when they do end the auction. The only drawback is that my item still hasn't been bought.





:rockets: GunPanther :2gunfire:

[Promophile]

I think it was kinda underhanded and mean to try and get others auctions canceled, but other than that all I can say is that yea sometimes ebay is spotty on auction cancels.

[leorange]

you really had to start a whole other thread (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=605056&highlight=#605056) to whine about this? when the first one was started as spam for your own auction?


his "Bite me ebay, you cockheads suck" comment will no doubt get his auction ended soon enough on its own.


I feel that someone at ebay just doesn't like me or my auctions.


:duh:

[Snapple]

Um, this didn't need a new thread, I don't think.

Also, it doesn't matter if you spell out what it does or not. eBay has clearly seen enough of them to know what they do and what they're used for.

You yourself admit you were trying to sneak through a loophole and sell something that violates eBay policy. eBay is not a law firm, and they don't care about wording. They aren't going to go, "Rats! I don't want this auction here, but look at his wording! My hands are tied, and I am powerless to do anything about it!"

You tried to sell something that violates eBay policy and you got caught. Now what exactly is there to complain about?

[GunPanther]

Um, this didn't need a new thread, I don't think.

Also, it doesn't matter if you spell out what it does or not. eBay has clearly seen enough of them to know what they do and what they're used for.

You yourself admit you were trying to sneak through a loophole and sell something that violates eBay policy. eBay is not a law firm, and they don't care about wording. They aren't going to go, "Rats! I don't want this auction here, but look at his wording! My hands are tied, and I am powerless to do anything about it!"

You tried to sell something that violates eBay policy and you got caught. Now what exactly is there to complain about?

I see what you mean, but a plastic 'Slide Tool' does not count as a Modchip or boot disc.

Maybe they just don't like my auctions because I have a low feedback rating for this particular account.






:rockets: GunPanther :2gunfire:

[GunPanther]

I think it was kinda underhanded and mean to try and get others auctions canceled, but other than that all I can say is that yea sometimes ebay is spotty on auction cancels.


Well, it's business, Promophile. How would you feel if you were selling an item (legal or questionable) and your item isn't allowed to be sold, but someone else's is? That's the entire principal here.

You'd probably feel a bit cheated too, right?

My mentality is this; If I can't list my item for sale, no one else should either.

(The "Scorched Earth" mentality - A way of life)





:rockets: GunPanther :2gunfire:

[jonjandran]

I hate to say it but your item was probably cancelled because you came here and promoted it.

I'm guessing someone here reported you and made it very easy for Ebay to find your auction and cancel it.

[WanganRunner]

Actually, I bet once they've pulled ONE of your auctions, you probably go on some kind of watch list....

I bet they see your stuff without having to stumble across it. That's what I'd do if I were them.

[Drexel923]

you really had to start a whole other thread (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=605056&highlight=#605056) to whine about this? when the first one was started as spam for your own auction?

I agree...but since this thread is already rolling, I've locked the other one. In the future please keep similiar comments/complaints within one thread.

[Griking]

...and even though I've repeatedly reoprted their auctions to Ebay (under several different usernames), their auctions still exist whereas mine have been pulled.

It's called Karma, what comes around goes around. If you wish ill will upon others its just going to come back to you.

Or maybe some of the people that you have ratted out in the past are loving the fact that they can turn the tables and rat you out now. Besides, you really can't ask eBay to cancel someone else's auction because its not allowed and then try to sell the exact same thing yourself. I mean, c'mon... that takes balls.

My suggestion is to drop it and get over it. The best case is that you manager to slide it thru in an auction and make a few dollars. The worst case is that you get your eBay account suspended because you're too stubborn.

[GunPanther]

...and even though I've repeatedly reoprted their auctions to Ebay (under several different usernames), their auctions still exist whereas mine have been pulled.

It's called Karma, what comes around goes around. If you wish ill will upon others its just going to come back to you.

Or maybe some of the people that you have ratted out in the past are loving the fact that they can turn the tables and rat you out now. Besides, you really can't ask eBay to cancel someone else's auction because its not allowed and then try to sell the exact same thing yourself. I mean, c'mon... that takes balls.

My suggestion is to drop it and get over it. The best case is that you manager to slide it thru in an auction and make a few dollars. The worst case is that you get your eBay account suspended because you're too stubborn.

Well, I never ratted anyone out on these Swap Magic discs until they started pulling my auctions. Like I said, how come they can sell theirs, but I can't sell mine?




:rockets: GunPanther :2gunfire:

[GunPanther]

I hate to say it but your item was probably cancelled because you came here and promoted it.

I'm guessing someone here reported you and made it very easy for Ebay to find your auction and cancel it.


I'd hate to think that there are some DP Forum users that are anal enough to be 'chaotic good'. I mean, EVERYONE has done something bad in their lifetime and I hardly think that selling a set of Swap Magic discs constitutes doing something 'bad'. At worst, all I'm doing is promoting the importation of PS2 games and I know that at least 90% of the distiniguished DP Forum users are hardcore collectors who import games on a regular basis.

I personally shun the usage of 'backups', especially when I have the regular game in my collection, although I have made backups of games that are just way too expensive to risk having the regular disc pile on the wear & tear. (i.e.: I made a backup disc of "Dracula X" for the TurboDuo because I keep the original locked away in a drawer.)

Never have I sold a backup or knowingly purchased one outright. (Sure, I've traded for backups, but only because those particular backups where never even released as domestic or import games)




:rockets: GunPanther :2gunfire:

[GunPanther]

Actually, I bet once they've pulled ONE of your auctions, you probably go on some kind of watch list....

I bet they see your stuff without having to stumble across it. That's what I'd do if I were them.


You know, you're probably right. That particular seller account I've been using to sell the Swap Magic set is probably being monitored. :/


Damn ebay hounds.





:rockets: GunPanther :2gunfire:

[gruzniak]

Just to try my luck, I copied one of the other sellers' descriptions fully as well as the title.









Ummm...isn't that plagiarism?

[SoulBlazer]

I still say just keep trying to sell it here in the B&S forum and mention in your sig that you have it for sale. Sooner or later someone will send you a PM and make you a offer.

Or you can try other auction sites, or ask a friend to sell it on his user ID.

[jajaja]

Maybe your auction get more attention because of the word "free".

[Promophile]

Well, it's business, Promophile. How would you feel if you were selling an item (legal or questionable) and your item isn't allowed to be sold, but someone else's is? That's the entire principal here.



Actually that did happen to me. In fact for about 4 months I was banned from ebay. I just learned the right words to use to get my auctions undetected by watch dogs. It seemed like lots of people were getting away with selling what I was, but I came back a few weeks / months later and they were NARU'd. Sell something against Ebay policy and you WILL get burned. It may take awhile to happen but it'll happen.

[GunPanther]

Just to try my luck, I copied one of the other sellers' descriptions fully as well as the title.









Ummm...isn't that plagiarism?

Yup. It sure is plagiarism, but since I have a feeling that ebay is going to pull the auction, I got tired of typing up the html coding for the description, so I just copied the other auction.





:rockets: GunPanther :2gunfire:

[GunPanther]

I still say just keep trying to sell it here in the B&S forum and mention in your sig that you have it for sale. Sooner or later someone will send you a PM and make you a offer.

Or you can try other auction sites, or ask a friend to sell it on his user ID.


Thanks for the tips SoulBlazer. I put it back up on the B&S Mboard, but I still have yet to snag any bites. I did get a 'that costs too much' post though. lol


:rockets: GunPanther :2gunfire:

[GunPanther]

Maybe your auction get more attention because of the word "free".


You know, you're right. Whenever I list items on Ebay with the word 'free' somewhere in the title, it seems to get more hits. I guess I'll relist it again if it gets pulled. Thanks for the tip.




:rockets: GunPanther :2gunfire:

[GunPanther]

Actually that did happen to me. In fact for about 4 months I was banned from ebay. I just learned the right words to use to get my auctions undetected by watch dogs. It seemed like lots of people were getting away with selling what I was, but I came back a few weeks / months later and they were NARU'd. Sell something against Ebay policy and you WILL get burned. It may take awhile to happen but it'll happen.



I suppose you're right, Promophile. I really hate the fact that I'm having to resort to these selling tactics, but if I don't, the item won't sell.

I'm willing to take the risk on this particular seller account since I have 3 others. I just wanted to beef up this account's feedback.

Thanks for the advice. I just might take heed in it.



:rockets: GunPanther :2gunfire:

[lurpak]

I would agree there seems to be some discrimination and they dont care if you complain.

twice now Ive tried to list an.

ORIGINAL, FULL RETAIL(NOT OEM) copy of Office97, unregisterd.
twice now its been pulled, second time I mailed them and they just sent me some crap saying how they are part of some program to protect the intrest of various companies such as MS. which means that if its not origianl or its an OEM they have to pull it..
and no matter how much I say but it is original and not oem, they just say well sorry, speak to MS..

oh yeh, Im sure MS would be intrested in sorting out my ebay listing for me.

its bollocks, they just want poor saps to have to pay full MS price.