topic Re: Not a Policy Breach but Unethical? in Selling

Not a Policy Breach but Unethical?

the_dutchess_of_dork — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 05:22:59 GMT

While browsing last night I noticed a seller with heaps of listings in the clothing / accessories category, primarily of one particular brand.

About half of the listings had sub-titles stating if you are paying less you are being conned or buying fakes.

Although no one would dispute the fact there are fake items on ebay I think a generic statement of that nature is misleading and unfair. Admittedly someone selling dozens or hundreds of designer items at heavily reduced prices may sound alarm bells but there are lots of individuals, particularly in the lead up to Christmas, selling one off or several items significantly lower than retail price for a bit of extra cash. Anyway, if this seller can source the legitimate items and sell them below retail, it's possible another seller can do likewise and perhaps at even more competitive prices.

I'm not saying this seller is breaching any policies but it seems tacky and dishonest.

Re: Not a Policy Breach but Unethical?

kopenhagen5 — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 05:25:20 GMT

Well if they mention brands in the title then they could be key word spamming.

And that contravenes policy - Search n browse manipulation.

Re: Not a Policy Breach but Unethical?

the_dutchess_of_dork — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 05:33:18 GMT

No, they are listing the items under the brand but then adding sub-titles with the dire warnings about fake items. The suggestion is "if anyone is selling cheaper than me, the items must be fake".

Re: Not a Policy Breach but Unethical?

clubesquire — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 05:38:12 GMT

JTDOD, ethics is a word long lost to history with many sellers here these days. I’m not generalising. I don’t mean all. And, I’ve seen far, far worse. Collectively, they all make it very hard for good honest sellers, but it’s a fact of life here now I think. Certainly, eBay do nothing to kerb unconscionable behaviour, and in many instances are seen by their actions (or lack of them) to condone it.

Just do your best to operate fairly, and move on. I do think most buyers notice it. And, they’re aware of the Grubs here, well the greater percentage I think, because they are constantly being educated by their own misfortune.

Probably just as many unconscionable buyers, if not more.

IIWII unfortunately.

Melina.

Re: Not a Policy Breach but Unethical?

kopenhagen5 — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 05:44:53 GMT

@the_dutchess_of_dork wrote:
No, they are listing the items under the brand but then adding sub-titles with the dire warnings about fake items. The suggestion is "if anyone is selling cheaper than me, the items must be fake".

I guess some genuine sellers might feel frustrated at the number of fraudulent items in the market place and feel the need to combat in some way.

What's an item number ?

Re: Not a Policy Breach but Unethical?

the_dutchess_of_dork — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 05:48:39 GMT

163344701245

Re: Not a Policy Breach but Unethical?

the_dutchess_of_dork — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 05:50:39 GMT

162679146058

Re: Not a Policy Breach but Unethical?

the_dutchess_of_dork — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 05:56:29 GMT

I agree counterfeit items are inherently unfair to buyers and legitimate sellers but this approach seems more self-serving than a genuinely constructive way to tackle the problem.

Re: Not a Policy Breach but Unethical?

imastawka — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 06:17:36 GMT

They have a lot of negs for selling fakes it seems.

Re: Not a Policy Breach but Unethical?

kopenhagen5 — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 06:17:58 GMT

@the_dutchess_of_dork wrote:
I agree counterfeit items are inherently unfair to buyers and legitimate sellers but this approach seems more self-serving than a genuinely constructive way to tackle the problem.

Agree, seems more a marketing ploy then educating.

Re: Not a Policy Breach but Unethical?

brerrabbit585 — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 07:41:16 GMT

If people who buy that seller's items are paying less than if they bought elsewhere, then yes, people probably are being conned (by this seller).

That sort of statement can backfire. Some people might be conned by the flashy ads on tv from people claiming to be the cheapest, but a lot of those sorts of ads turn just as many people off, if not more. You can overdo the hype. I personally run a mile from such sellers.

Re: Not a Policy Breach but Unethical?

digital*ghost — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 08:38:48 GMT

The most amusing thing to me is that the seller has "don't risk buying a cheap copy" as a subtitle on some Mimco earrings, but twice - in responding to negs for fake Mimco jewellery - they claimed literally no one copies Mimco jewellery.

Re: Not a Policy Breach but Unethical?

brerrabbit585 — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 09:17:14 GMT

That's quite funny, but it figures.

I learnt a loooong time ago that the more someone says "You can trust me", the less I should trust them. In fact, they only need to say once that I can trust them, or that they're honest, and alarm bells start ringing!

Re: Not a Policy Breach but Unethical?

the_dutchess_of_dork — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 09:24:47 GMT

I noticed this too. I guess the air up in the Ivory Tower is a little thinner than down here with the common folk.

Re: Not a Policy Breach but Unethical?

clubesquire — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 10:08:14 GMT

Common folk? OMG!!

I’ll have you inow that my grandfather was the ‘Leading Hand’ sheeeeet carter in a little place called Uralla in NSW.

Common indeed. Hrruuumph!!

Melina.