on 31-08-2023 08:19 PM
Unsure where to turn for help with this one.
I have a main eBay account that I have had for almost 20 years now. Nothing special, mostly buying but some selling. I have 100% feedback and never any issue with my sales.
Created a 2nd eBay account to start selling virtual items from a game my son plays as I saw others selling the same on eBay. Did my research and found eBay allows more than 1 account and actually encourages it if selling items different to your main account. Also search that the items I wanted to sell were allowed and found that the items I wanted to sell could be sold on eBay with no issues.
Create new account, use my real details, verify my ID and bank (all details used are the same as my main account)
Create my listings make 23 sales (sell 55 items) and receive only positive feedback. Have a feedback rating of 15 (more but had return buyers)
I thought all was going well until I received a notification saying my account had been permanently suspended. Email below
We wanted to let you know that your eBay account has been permanently suspended because of activity that we believe was putting the eBay community at risk. We understand that this must be frustrating, but this decision was not made lightly and it’s important that we keep our marketplace safe for everyone. Learn more about how and why accounts can be suspended.
Here’s what you need to know
If you have any questions or concerns, or think we’ve made a mistake, please get in touch. We’re here to help.
Confused, I contacted support as suggested only to be told they cannot tell me why I was suspended. I request to speak with a supervisor and am told one will call me in 24hrs. I waited 24hrs and received no call. Contact support again and explain my situation and ask to speak with a supervisor only to have the operator hang up on me.
I do a quick search and find this appears to be normal practice that they just hang up on you, call again get another person kind of happy to help until they read my file and they go cold stone. I ask to speak with a supervisor and am told one would get back to me in 48hrs.
Knowing this is a tactic they have used on me before I agree and proceed to make contact via email only to get an instant response, email below
Thanks for contacting us about the suspension notification we sent you.
We wanted to let you know that your eBay account has been permanently suspended because of activity that we believe was putting the eBay community at risk. We understand that this must be frustrating, but this decision was not made lightly and it’s important that we keep our marketplace safe for everyone. Learn more about how and why accounts can be suspended.
You will no longer be able to use your account to buy or sell items and any new accounts you set up may also be suspended.
If you have any questions or concerns, or think we’ve made a mistake, please get in touch. We’re here to help.
Regards,
eBay
I have tried 2 further times with email only to get the same instant response. Appears they have just black listed me.
Now I sold only a small number of items (total $450) and have a payout owing to me of about $330. All items sold were delivered and no one lodged any complaints. I had it set to take all fees before payout also.
How do I go about obtaining these funds?
My account says "Your payouts are currently on hold because your eBay account is suspended. You'll start getting paid again when your account is reinstated" but since my account is permanently suspended, I am not sure this "reinstated" stage will ever happen.
No one at eBay support will help, I have no idea what it was I did to get suspended nor will anyone even respond to any of my questions, even tho the base of every email the send me says "If you have any questions or concerns, or think we’ve made a mistake, please get in touch. We’re here to help."
Any help with where I should go from here? This experience has really left a very poor taste in my mouth, not the experience I expected from such a company. Unsure if it makes any difference but I am located in Australia
on 01-09-2023 02:42 PM
Did you have the items listed as the policy states.
Electronically delivered items need to be listed in the Everything Else > Information Products category in the classified ad format
Given the re-instatement this could have been the issue. ??
on 01-09-2023 02:47 PM
I did not have them listed as that as I read there is an exception to that policy
Electronically delivered items need to be listed in the Everything Else > Information Products category in the classified ad format
Further to support that is the other long standing sellers with the exact same items for sale, selling the same way as I was.
01-09-2023 02:53 PM - edited 01-09-2023 02:54 PM
OK - so not that then. lol
Edited to add - digital ' Cheers '.
on 01-09-2023 02:59 PM
Yeah. A lot of people pointed to this being the issue. But the policy states otherwise.
on 01-09-2023 06:39 PM
You are still looking at ebays policy... not where to look. as per TOS of the items. are you licenced, authorised or the creator of the items. every time there is a complaint lodged against you your account will be terminated.
on 01-09-2023 06:54 PM
Good to see your other account is back up, at least the FB indicates you are keeping your buyers happy.
Will be interesting to see how long it remains active.
on 01-09-2023 07:13 PM
Doh, while its good to see the account is back up, neither account now has any listings for sale.
Not smooth sailing yet.
on 01-09-2023 07:19 PM
Both accounts have active listings (just checked)
Is a problem I've seen in the past with my account that sometime occurs. Not sure why but it fixes itself.
on 01-09-2023 07:20 PM
Understand stand this. But like to think eBay would at least contact me to confirm this fact prior to a permanent suspension.
Stranger things have happened I guess......
on 01-09-2023 07:47 PM
I think you'll probably find you listed in the wrong category. As mentioned by several members, you MUST list those digital items in the "everything else > information products" category. It says that in the screenshot you posted. The ended listing on this account shows it being listed under "electronics > video games & consoles > video game merchandise".
I don't know the ID of your other account, but if you listed in the same category, you'll probably get booted again. I think I just found your other ID and if it is yours, then you're in the wrong category. You're asking for trouble by relisting those items in that category.
It also says that if the classified format isn't available on the seller's ebay site, the electronically delivered items are not allowed. Is there any reason you relisted in the same category when several people pointed out what category they're meant to be listed in?
Electronically delivered items need to be listed in the Everything Else > Information Products category in the classified ad format