Advice given when dealing with competitors who are businesses selling on private accounts

[oceanartsnorthdevon]

Chatting to customer services today about an unrelated question, I broached the subject of why things were quiet in the sales department when asked if they could help with anything else.  I was given all the usual advice, optimize listings etc etc and also keep an eye on competitors, when mentioning it was hard to compete with private sellers who were obviously businesses, selling in the same category and reporting them multiple times to no avail (one who had over 10,000 listings), I was given the advice below which I copied:

"In this case, I request you to open a new account which you can use as a private account. Multiple accounts are possible on eBay and considering such situations are also one of the reasons eBay allow our members to create multiple accounts as we understand that at times or with times, the nature of usage of our members for their account may change"

Am I understanding this correctly?  The way I read it, is if "you can't beat them, join them!" So as a business seller, the advice given when sales drop and you cannot compete with private sellers who are obviously businesses, is to open several private accounts and spread my listings that I sell as a business across multiple private accounts?  I find this rather odd advice? Surely they should be dealing with the problem in hand?

[lucy_farmer]

😲😲😲

blimey.... I knew CS are a shockingly inventive bunch at times (a.k.a. liars) but this really is bonkers....

(I reckon part of the problem with CS is that most of them are based out of the UK, so their knowledge of UK Consumer law is going to be pretty sketchy at the best of times.)

Not being a business,  I've no idea if business sellers get to speak to CS who are in the UK? or put up with the same shambles as the rest of us....?

But that 'answer' is rather difficult to understand, the second half is a right word-salad..... seems to have been written by somebody who doesn't speak much English .. I've no idea what they actually meant.

[therenewalworkshopltd]

It is shocking bad advice and Ebay really needs to do something about.

Whilst it's not impossible, I don't believe that Ebay are teaching staff to tell people this.

What I think has happened, is that there are so many complaints from business sellers, that they have found that this answer mollifies a lot of them.

I would recommend that you report them (Ebay) to Trading standards as by telling business sellers this, Ebay is breaking the law.

Personally, I would be contacting my local MP as well had I been told this by support.

But remember, the more people that do something, the more likely some sort of real action will be taken.

[oceanartsnorthdevon]

This response was was via live chat, I did get the impression I was speaking to someone outside the UK.  As a business seller who uses live chat and email, I am not aware that I get the chance to speak with CS in the UK, always seems to be potluck who I get? Don't know about contact on phone whether you can speak with someone directly in the UK but have heard from others on here that ringing at certain times you have more chance to get to speak to an agent in the UK.

[therenewalworkshopltd]

You can generally get someone in Ireland if you contact in the morning.

It is still potluck as to which call centre you get directed to though.

[oceanartsnorthdevon]

I am glad you interpret this advice as I do as I had to read it several times, as @lucy_farmer quoted, it does read as a bit of a word salad in places, and as you state really poor advice.  As shocking as it is, I doubt anything would be done on any level, a fruitless task, the little man against against a big corporation.

[therenewalworkshopltd]

As shocking as it is, I doubt anything would be done on any level, a fruitless task, the little man against against a big corporation.

Not at all.  The difference between the little man and the corporation, is that there are millions of us.

Which is why I said, the more that report, the more likely something is actually done about this sort of thing.

The general populace has a lot more power than is realised.  Which is exactly why things like unions (example only) etc get things done.

The problem that we have, is that many think as you posted above.  Do something about it, it may not make a difference on it's own, but if enough do, it most certainly will.

[oceanartsnorthdevon]

I am usually quite pro active about fighting a cause, terrible customer service really riles me and only recently have had to make complaints via the ombudsman for several different appalling services for myself and family, have also done in the past over something more serious and personal. I must have my MP on speed dial as I have had to contact him on various local matters over the years and now have another consumer problem in the pipeline, I feel like I should be working for citizens advice! I agree our voices must be heard for things to change and usually I am an advocate for this, but on a personal level I feel like my life is being consumed with making  complaints, usually most of which never seem to get anywhere which is quite disheartening.