Expert: Rob James - 3/17/2009

Question
I am very frustrated with Ebay policies. I had a listing of a generic spy pen camera completely unbranded, with my own pictures and text. I wonder what kind of copyright documentation Ebay requires from a reporting party when making this judgments. Turns out the company reporting its  "Easy Commerce Global Limited" which doesn't respond when asked to give proof of their copyright material.
Ebay has destroyed my account and there are many other sellers listing the same product. Is there anything you can tell me about this?

Answer
Hello Leah,

I can relate to your frustration with eBay. It seems as though they have really taken a CYA approach to running their business which has put a lot of sellers off.

As for your problem, I've run into situations similar to this where listings were pulled with no real explanation as to why. Just the generic form letter type response. What I would recommend, if you haven't already done so, is to contact their Trust and Safety group and grill them for answers. If you go to the main eBay page and click on the Live Help link at the top, you will be able to chat with a representative. I would suggest not letting up on the conversation until you get the answers you want or get a number for someone that you can speak with in person. Ebay is notorious for standing their ground on an issue so you may have to push them a lot for the answers. It's really sad that it is that way too. Especially since the sellers are what keeps them in business.

I hope you get the information you need and they rectify the situation for you. If they don't I would suggest perhaps another venue for your wares that is less "big brother".

Take care,
Rob