Name and Shame

[falling-horse]

I don't see the point of this whole Discussion Board. Supposedly it's for sharing our experiences with buying, selling etc. If you can't name the seller in a legitimate complaint

[zanadoo_56]

I suppose not all claims may be legitimate however....

There are some sellers (and buyers) that clearly should be named and shamed because the evidence is there for all to see.  You wonder how they have managed not to be delisted....but it seems eBay moves in mysterious ways.

From what I've seen on boards you can mention the listing number, but frankly, it would save a lot of time if eBay and its members were warned more directly about the obviously dodgy ones.

BTW I always look at a seller's feedback before bidding/buying.  Always.

[digital*ghost]

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@falling-horse wrote:

I don't see the point of this whole Discussion Board. Supposedly it's for sharing our experiences with buying, selling etc. If you can't name the seller in a legitimate complaint

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Well, there are lots of experiences one can have on ebay, not all of them bad, and/or not all of them involving a shonky seller. Thus, the discussion boards are here to provide members with an avenue to do things like resolve eBay-related problems, or simply discuss eBay-related issues that are of interest...for example, why we even have discussion boards. 

There isn't anything another member can 'do' to a seller someone comes here to complain about - if you want to 'name and shame' a seller to eBay, then you need to report them to eBay.

[harley_babes_hoard]

Because it's only your opinion and the seller is not here to defend him/herself.

Thank goodness it's not allowed, It would just be open slather and you could ruin anyone's reputation you felt like ruining if you were that way inclined.

[sprinklespowerpuff]

A while back a seller was named on here for supposedly having done the dirty on this particular buyer. Dished it up about how bad the seller was only to realise after the seller's rep had been slandered that she had got it all terribly wrong and had gone on and on about the WRONG seller. Wasn't the one she had named here at all. SO, that is a VERY good reason why naming the seller isn't allowed.

[phorum_junkie*]

It would also be very easy for sellers to say anything they wanted about a rival seller just to try and improve their own sales and put their rival out of business.

If it is a genuine complaint then there are ways of giving enough information so experienced posters can find the item and seller being discussed

[annies_fancy_dress]

It's wrong.

Look at how many instances of on-line bullying occur when people hide behind computer anonymity!

And some people are just whack jobs anyway.

It's too easy for 'bad' to come out of 'open slather'

[essel_emporium]

You could always start your own version of this forum; one where you (yes, I mean you personally) can set the rules. And if you wanted to name and shame so be it.  Its remarkably easy to register a domain name, buy some space from a hosting provider, and there is a variety of open source forum software just waiting to be installed, and hey presto, a new forum is on the www where you set the rules.  There are modest costs and possibly a time commitment to maintain it but if you feel strongly enough go for it. (I've often contemplated it but it was mainly the commitment that's held me back.)  I'd log in and see what gets posted. You could be doing the world a service.

[k1ooo-slr-sales]

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@essel_emporium wrote:

You could always start your own version of this forum; one where you (yes, I mean you personally) can set the rules. And if you wanted to name and shame so be it.  Its remarkably easy to register a domain name, buy some space from a hosting provider, and there is a variety of open source forum software just waiting to be installed, and hey presto, a new forum is on the www where you set the rules.  There are modest costs and possibly a time commitment to maintain it but if you feel strongly enough go for it. (I've often contemplated it but it was mainly the commitment that's held me back.)  I'd log in and see what gets posted. You could be doing the world a service.

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and, as the person responsible for content posted on such forum you would be the person who is liable if anyone who is shamed takes legal action for being defamed.  Imagine if a bigtime eBay seller is shamed and they take legal action because of the damage to their reputation.  If they have access to top legal representation you could lose your house, car, future earnings etc as compensation for the damage to their reputation.  Additionally, anyone considering setting up their own 'name-and-shame' forum should seek legal advice regarding libel, defamation and slander laws and penalties/compensations payable.

[k1ooo-slr-sales]

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@k1ooo-slr-sales wrote:
and, as the person responsible for content posted on such forum you would be the person who is liable . . . .

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which is why these forums are moderated and member ID's are removed from posts . . . . . . eBay are not prepared to have legal action taken against them for the content posted by members.