Ebay staff are sending me offensive messages. This is causing me great distress. How can I stop them

[graceandco]

I listed 2 suspender belts with bras for sale. As you know, suspender belts are worn on the waist. But Ebay staff repeatedly remove my listings, saying they're offensive and violating their policies. Their messages say that the waist belts are next to the genitals. This is untrue. It feels distressing, humiliating, and insulting. I have phoned ebay twice and complained. But ebay staff still send me these incorrect, insulting, humiliating, embarrassing offensive messages. I have replied to the listing removals. stating the staff words are wrong. But staff keep sending me these messages with deeply offensive words. Suspender belts are worn at the waist. So why are ebay staff sending me these offensive messages and threatening me with violations? This has taken a lot of my time now, and I find it deeply distressing that ebay staff are repeatedly sending me offensive and untrue horrible poisonous messages. How can I stop them?

[graceandco]

below is yet another ebay attack, just happened. See my listing it's 3 corsets, all 3 corsets are worn on the upper body. But ebay have removed these too, and again emailed me that I've violated, and they're worn next to the genitals. That wrong word yet again. It is a repeated lie, and it makes me feel sick. Ebay keep sending that G word, and it is wrong. It so, so, so deeply offensive. Why can other ebay sellers list upper body corsets, and garter belts, but ebay attack me. Ebay are targetting me with this offensive G word over, and over, and over. Please see my listing below, then see what they sent me. I've been an ebay customer for 20 years in January. I'm now reduced to total humiliation. Thank you for your time.

[graceandco]

Ebay are still doing it to me. This time it's corsets that I listed, worn on the upper body. Again, ebay have removed them, said I'm violating, and they're worn next to the genitals. I feel physically sick that ebay keep doing this to me, and sending me that G word. I'm so angry now. I've been an ebay customer for 20 years in January. I feel like taking legal action now. I'm so humiliated. So upset.  I deserve compensation for this appalling insult and humiliation. I am being targeted by ebay who are sending me offensive messages.

[4_bathrooms]

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@graceandco wrote:

Ebay are still doing it to me. This time it's corsets that I listed, worn on the upper body.

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Just one question:

Would you consider a corset to be underwear?

[rainbowtrax]

Genitals isn't an offensive word in itself. It's just a word for parts of the body and not rude. The messages you're receiving are just the standard item removal notices that ebay send to everyone when they remove a listing for a policy violation - and always quote the relevant policy. They're not meant to be offensive or humiliating, just explanatory in quoting the policy which, in this case includes the word genitals.

The real issue is whether or not you are allowed to list used undergarments like corsets or not. There are plenty listed so you would assume that you can but the policy itself isn't specific enough to be sure: Used clothing policy | eBay

The only thing that is sure is that bras are allowed but socks, boxer shorts, knickers, nappies and athletic supporters aren't. Obviously, socks don't touch the genitals either but they're not allowed. Corsets are classed as underwear so it may be that ebay do include them in the ban - in which case they should be removing other used corset listings.

Now, you would think that, as with used cosmetics, the "Used" conditions wouldn't be available for categories of items where it isn't allowed. But this is ebay so can't be guaranteed! What you need is clarification from ebay as to exactly what items are covered by the policy. If corsets are allowed then you need an explanation as to what is flagging your listings compared to those of other sellers so that you can work out a way forward.

dave@ebay marco@ebay are you able get clarification for the OP as to exactly which used items are allowed and which aren't so that they know.

@graceandco it's really not worth your time to try and sue ebay over this as the ability to sell on ebay isn't a legal right so it is their choice as to whether they allow you to or not. They're not breaking any laws by removing your listings from their site. The messages wouldn't be classed as offensive or particularly insulting, just informational.

[4_bathrooms]

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@rainbowtrax wrote:

The real issue is whether or not you are allowed to list used undergarments like corsets or not. There are plenty listed so you would assume that you can but the policy itself isn't specific enough to be sure: Used clothing policy | eBay

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The wording of the policy is:

"Used underwear and socks are not allowed, even if they are clean. Examples include boxer shorts, panties, briefs, nappies, and athletic supporters. Bras are not considered underwear"

The way I read that is used underwear is not allowed at all except for bras. The examples are not a definitive list; if it is an item of used underwear and it is not a bra then it is not allowed. That's my interpretation, anyway.

[bravergrace]

In the listing for 3 used basques, you have several pictures.  One of them includes a small triangular item with straps.  I think this may be the problem.  It looks (to my untrained eye) like a rather skimpy pair of knickers.  Used knickers are not allowed.

Maybe the eBay staff member has looked at this picture and assumed it's showing a pair of used knickers.  I'm not saying they're right - I'm saying they might have THOUGHT this is what your picture shows.  

If so, their mistake is surely understandable.

But, to be on the safe side, you're probably better off not listing any ladies' underwear for at least 6 months.

[therma-tec]

To quote Ricky Gervais  'Just because you're offended, doesn't mean you're right'

Since eBay has removed your listings, trying to list the same / similar items will most likely end up in a permanent ban, they've told you twice and most likely 3rd time's a charm.

[jayfive2001]

So offended that they've not removed any of their listings from ebay and listed new items since this thread was started.