Dear eBay Queen: I’ve been Suspended for 7 Days! What Can I Do?

Dear eBay Queen:

I am completely flipping out. I woke up this weekend to a message from eBay about three different listings I have for 7 for Mankind brand jeans. I’ve been selling different brands of jeans for YEARS. I buy jeans new on clearance from stores and pre owned from garage and estate sales. This is how I support my family. I am a single mother of 3, and my ex-husband skipped out on us and after losing my corporate job of 8 years I started selling on eBay. I’ve been selling for 3 years and have 8239 positive feedback, and one negative from the first year I was selling. My DSR scores are all 5 or 4.9. I am (or was) a Top rated Seller.

The eBay email said that my selling privileges would be temporarily restricted for 7 days. They also removed the 3 pairs of jeans. They said that I was in violation of the VERO program. I’m not even sure what that means!

I read the email, and I called eBay customer care, spoke to a customer service person, and asked them to explain this violation to me. They were very kind, and told me that my jeans were deemed “counterfeit” or maybe the rights holder didn’t want me selling those jeans. I cried on the phone, and I just didn’t know what to do. The eBay CS was nice, but I didn’t think they could do anything to help me, so I asked for a manager. I spoke to the manager, who explained to me over and over that it was just 7 days. I let him know that eBay is my only source of income for my family, and what should I do? He didn’t have an answer for that.

This has been an eye opening experience for me. The jeans I have up ARE authentic. I have the receipts from Macy’s where I purchased them. They are REAL!!! What do you think I should do? Take them back to Macy’s? I work so hard on my eBay business. I can’t believe they are taking it away from me! I’ve never had another violation – and they’ve just kicked me to the curb!

I don’t know what to do. Have you had this happen? I’m afraid to do anything. I don’t know if I stop selling on eBay, how I’m going to make any money! I’ve worked so hard, and just like that it has been taken away.

Ellie

Dear Ellie:

I am sorry that happened to you. The Vero system is not kind to anyone. Most likely what has happened is your listings were reported by an individual, the company itself, OR eBay automatically pegged the listings as trademark infringement. They will normally send two notices before they suspend your account.  The good news is that you purchased these jeans at a reputable department store. I would call eBay back immediately, and let them know that you have the receipt from Macy’s for the jeans in question. Ask them how to fax that to them so that they can re-instate your account. I would also ask why they suspended you for 7 days when this was your first violation.

I have had something similar happen to me 10 year ago, for the SAME violation except it was for 3 different items where the rights holder had complained. One was a software violation, another was a motorcycle helmet, and the 3rd was a purse. I fought the violation, and won, but it took me the whole 7 days to do it – (not much of a consolation.) During my 7 day suspension I wrote up more stuff on my listing program, and started my own website.

It’s scary for me to read these kinds of stories, because we are all just a violation away from losing our job.   I have tried to diversify over the years by selling on my own website, Amazon and Etsy.

 xmaspuzzle

Strange eBay item of the week: Item #:281666570050. Christmas in July! I found this puzzle on eBay, and it sold for quite a bit! Vintage 1889 McLoughlin Bros NY Santa Claus The Night Before Christmas Puzzle SOLD: $1400.00.

Cool Stuff on Etsy: Back To School Funky USB Flash Drives

I'm mentally preparing for school to start.. wondering if I really bought ALL the school books back in April or May.. so I why not go look at cool stuff on Etsy instead of making sure I have everything ready for school?

usbdrives1Is this cool? I think it's adorable!

8GB USB Drive in a Glass Bottle Beach Theme  SELLS for $35.21 by Etsy Seller JessicasCat Check it out HERE

usbdrives2Oh my goodness #5 would love this!

Ironman 3 Arc Reactor LED Flash 8GB 2.0 Flash Memory Stick Drive USB Flash Drive SELLS for $24.99 by Etsy Seller  Cloud9Tungsten Check it out HERE

usbdrives3I think this is pretty cool.. but a little pricy

Chanel Lipstick USB 16 GB or 32 GB Flash Drive Black and Gold SELLS for 110.10 by Etsy Seller PointsandPlaces Check it out HERE

usbdrives4I'm wondering how fragile this is.

Steampunk Radio Vacuum Tube USB Flash Drive SELLS for 65.00 by Etsy Seller slotzkin Check it out HERE

 

usbdrives6Nothing says back to school like… Bourbon! 😉

Makers Mark USB Flash Drive 8GB Makers mark Kentucky Bourbon Themed Flash Drive USB  SELLS for 30.00 by Etsy Seller BoozyChristmas  Check it out HERE

usbdrives5This is beautiful!

8GB USB Memory Decorative Keychain SELLS for 33.59 by Etsy Seller Boardaments Check it out HERE

THESE are not USB Drives.. but I love them.

etsywant1

I would love this.. but I don't have a mac…

Macbook Keyboard Stickers Rose Floral Decal  SELLS for 16.00 by etsy seller Kidecals  Check it out HERE

etsywant2I would love to have one of these to give to my friend 🙂

Every Brunette needs a Blonde Best Friend Phone case SELLS for 14.99 by Etsy Seller BFFCase  Check it out HERE 

Etsy + Geekery= Love

Etsy has a category called "Geekery" and I love to browse through it. Here's some of my favorite geeky stuff..

Iron Man 3 Bust Torso Mark XL VII Armor In Stain Glass by Martian Glass Works.  Selling for $2500.00  Check it out HERE 

 QR Code, Geekery, etsy, black and white, knit  blanket

Here's what the seller says about this item: One of a kind! Free shipping! Knit (by a man – not shown) in little squares, then sewn together by hand. A lot of work went into this one.  This blanket is self-describing. The code DOES work! (Try it!) Comes from a smoke free home.

QR Code Blanket by 010011110111001 Selling for $3141.59 Check it out HERE 

 

Here's what the seller says: This antique typewriter has been modified to work as a USB Keyboard for PC, Mac, or even iPad! That's right — its a beautiful and fully functional computer keyboard! The USB Typewriter can type all letters, numerals, and punctuation marks. It also includes shift, space, and return carriage (which is literally activated by the typewriter's return carriage!). Many non-standard keys, such as F1-F12, esc, ctrl, and so on are available with a special toggle key.  The modification is very clean leaves the typewriter looking, feeling, and working like a regular typewriter — and yes, it still writes beautifully on paper. A beatiful, functional, unique addition to your home office.

USB Typewriter A Computer Keyboard and iPad Dock Royal Model 0 1945 Selling for $799.00 by USBTYPEWRITER  Check it out HERE

These crack me up…

Happy Poo and Toilet Paper Best Friend Charms by The Tiny Kangaroo Selling for 8.99 Check it out HERE

 

What the Seller says: You knew there was something missing in your life. A certain creepy and odd something, but you don't know what it is… until now. The old nostalgic My Little Pony you had as a kid, now twisted and morphed into an Alien. You are now able to show your soft, sensitive side with an obvious hardcore-ness, too!

This little guy will be hand-crafted by me. My original version was created in 2006. He will stand about 6.25" tall and about 12" long and would love to be added to your collection of awesomely unusual. This is a one of a kind piece that you won't get anywhere.

Take me home with you! You won't regret the consequences. Shipping is on me and if you'd rather have a different custom, please let me know, otherwise, it'll look pretty much like it does pictured. Please allow for 4 weeks for your creation.

Alien My Little Pony custom OOAK by Mrdeadfish Selling for $375.00 Check it out HERE 

 

Chain Chomp Earrings The original As Seen on G$ AOTS Super Mario Bad Guy Nintendo by Spaztazm  Selling for $8.99 Check it out HERE 

 

Mythbusters Adam and Jamie Peg People by Randomly Generated  Selling for $30.00 check it out HERE

Oh Good Gravy… When Recycling Gets You In Trouble…

I sell stuff on several different venues.. eBay, Amazon, Etsy, and my own e-commerce site.  I received an email from an Etsy customer that horrified me and made me laugh at the same time.

XXXXXX sent you a conversation on October 25, 2012.

CUSTOM listing for XXXX

Suzie,

I hope your family problem improves. I saw the post that appeared on the inside of the paper you used as a mailing label. It sounds as if you and your former son-in-law are having difficulties. 🙁

I wasn't sure what this lady meant…

  1. I'm not having any "family" problems.
  2. I don't have a son-in-law, let alone a former one.
  3. What the heck is she talking about?

Then I realized…. we recycle our copy paper…. and use it for shipping labels. What could have possibly been on the back of the shipping label that would make my customer think I had a "son-in-law" problem? 

Then #1 reminded me we had printed screen shots of the stuff my stalker put on his Facebook page about me. I freaked out.. and then proceeded to go through all the screen shots, trying to figure out why my customer would think he was my son-in-law.  Here's what i came up with…

After reading this you might think I know this guy.. BUT I'VE NEVER MET HIM.. OR SPOKE TO HIM on the PHONE or IN PERSON..

I emailed the customer back, apologized and let them know what had happened.  Fortunately she wasn't offended by his foul language, horrendous spelling and bad grammar.  

From now on we'll be checking to see what we recycle onto the back of our shipping labels. 🙂