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.

[crash_salvage_repair]

Just ignore them, few days ago i had a 2hr argument with some american agent transferred frm uk to this agent claiming to be frm headoffice , basically  told this agent im not selling to a certain religion of buyer/ buyers located in certain areas of uk and any buyers from a certain country as my sales data shows these cause major financial issues for my business.

Why might you ask, well common sense, went through my cases over last 8 months which caused ebay to charge extra 4% in selling fees due to there high fraudulent cases and  noticed 99% of my issues are caused by them and since  stopped selling to mentioned my cases are near non existent over both of my a/c's. 

Well usual foul agent nonsense threatening saying  have to sell 2 mentioned dont have a choice, i mean why on earth would you sell to someone who is gonna rip you off? its common business sense. Then was given many threats of a/c closure/ restrictions, then after  hungup started to get messages through ebay warning of communication policy warnings/ payments are blocked over a few days around 6 of them/ then every time logged in text messages to verify my a/c. 

well it was total BS as there was no payment block, ebay kept on sending payments LOL then this agent was sending messages trying to scare me as she claimed to be  in the group that i have a worldwide ban to that religion.

I noticed this so called amercian agent frm headoffice cant spell as my name was spelt wrong , and if your at headoffice you defo will know how to spell, so called again to complain about her nonsense advice and   these pathetic tactics to try and scare me for some reason and agent frm Philippines said he will report her and suddenly all these stupid policy messages and pathetic messages to try scare me for some reason suddenly stopped and he also advised this so called payment block was total nonsense.

So it just shows you not only do youb have buyers try rip u off but you also have agents in that particular group trying it as well

I also seeked legal advice and there is law which can force you to do business with anyone you dont wish to, unlike the nonsense this agent was barking out

[bravergrace]

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@crash_salvage_repair wrote:

I also seeked legal advice and there is law which can force you to do business with anyone you dont wish to, unlike the nonsense this agent was barking out

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I think your legal advice what you seeked didn't give you the whole story.  You're probably better off paying an actual UK solicitor for advice, rather than asking AI online.

In general, you can refuse service to someone because you don't like the cut of their jib.  But there are exceptions.  For instance, in the UK it isn't allowed (generally speaking) to refuse someone employment, housing, goods or services on the grounds that "My religion doesn't let me speak to women" or "I never to allow gipsies in my pub" or "I don't let blind people in my cafe, I don't like guide dogs". 

It really is generally illegal to discriminate on the grounds of sex, marital status, disability, age, race (including Romany/traveller/gipsy), sexual orientation, whether someone has children or is disabled, and a number of other similar things.  There are obviously some exceptions (a child can't sue you for refusing to sell them cigarettes or give them a job as a train driver!).

And while it's true that the courts won't normally FORCE you to sell to someone, they can - and do - award substantial damages for illegal discrimination.

[crash_salvage_repair]

"I think your legal advice what you seeked didn't give you the whole story.  You're probably better off paying an actual UK solicitor for advice, rather than asking AI online."

business is member of fsb so legal advice by proper well qualified uk solicitors, so now what your saying if i've evidence that 99% of sales when sold to a certain religion/ type/ country/ area results in them trying to get my items for free and commit fraud, that i have no choice but to keep selling to them and incure losses? and that a business is forced by law to make losses and they dont have no choice?

  Well im waiting for any1 to challenge that, as run a business and if i see a certain area of the business  incurring  losses to the tune of £0000s will make sure business avoids them. I sure the courts will look at the argument when you have factual evidence to back up the avoidance of mentioned, unlike just going on ai/ social media and taking advice of what others say

[sheba-knows-best]

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@crash_salvage_repair wrote:

Just ignore them, few days ago i had a 2hr argument with some american agent transferred frm uk to this agent claiming to be frm headoffice , basically  told this agent im not selling to a certain religion of buyer/ buyers located in certain areas of uk and any buyers from a certain country as my sales data shows these cause major financial issues for my business.

Why might you ask, well common sense, went through my cases over last 8 months which caused ebay to charge extra 4% in selling fees due to there high fraudulent cases and  noticed 99% of my issues are caused by them and since  stopped selling to mentioned my cases are near non existent over both of my a/c's. 

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I do actually see where you're coming from. But can you turn it on its head and - to avoid falling foul of the law (not to mention morality) and rescue your blood pressure - avoid rather than deny those buyers?

So - if I sell very high-end hand bags, high-end little girls dresses, high end one-off event adult frocks or anything in the run up to Christmas - I risk selling to grabby, quick-to-return, quick to claim SNAD, frankly horrendous buyers. So I choose certain kinds of bags that these people don't like, I don't sell posh frocks (for adults or kids) and I try and shut up shop before the Christmas rush.

Is there a certain kind of car that this group of people favours? If so, stop stocking the parts.

[crash_salvage_repair]

ive got legal advice and advice frm the police as well, and if you have actual factual evidence like then you can counter any allegation as to why your actions have changed towards certain types. The bonus with ebay is that they send you a spreadsheet of all the cases which have lead up to the 4% extra charge, so just went through that and noticed a certain religion/ area/ country 99% of the cases came frm, so then over last 6 months stopped selling to them and guess what ive had barely over 5 cases on both of my accounts selling well over 40k worth of parts. 

why should you stop selling certain items as every1 might like the same stuff/ high end clothes etc...  if you encounter certain religion/ area/ country were your getting scam fraudulent returns from then stop selling to them and any1 tries to challenge you for racism/ prejudice against  ppl/ areas countries etc... you have the sales data to backup your actions as no1 goes into business to make losses or give items for free.

Hence why realized that particular ebay agent frm usa same religion in question couldnt take the fact that i have the sales data to backup my actions,  that 99% of my cases are from these certain ppl/ areas of uk and 1 country and she started to send fake warnings/ login verifications/ payment hold emails as as soon as rang back day later complained it was stopped instantly and ebay kept on sendin payouts when she was sending messages LOL 

[crash_salvage_repair]

also my sales in last 6 months include parts to;

australia/ kuwait/ portugal/ mexico/ brazil/ peru/ usa/ french polynesia/ Hong kong/ israel/ france/ columbia/ argentina/ poland/ spain/ germany/ singapore/ indonesia/ china etc.... the list goes on, so if any1 wants to throw accusations like that ebay agent frm usa they will have a hard time provin otherwise, as im not bothered where the buyer is from only there money as im not in business to give items for free

[sheba-knows-best]

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@crash_salvage_repair wrote:

why should you stop selling certain items as every1 might like the same stuff/ high end clothes etc...  if you encounter certain religion/ area/ country were your getting scam fraudulent returns from then stop selling to them and any1 tries to challenge you for racism/ prejudice against  ppl/ areas countries etc... you have the sales data to backup your actions as no1 goes into business to make losses or give items for free.

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The problem is, if -  by stopping selling to them - you mean cancelling orders?

If you start cancelling orders you risk getting a lot of negative feedback which will severely impact your visibility/sales.

[crash_salvage_repair]

im not bothered abt cancelled orders, i dont sell items that many others have then 85% of my items going overseas barely any1 sells the items i do overseas

also i use tricks like "make a offer",  80% of my buyers just pay what i want as they are lucky to find someone who wants to post the item 0000s of miles away to them, the scam buyers will 99% send u a offer, then when that offer comes through ebay sends u there postcode and u do checks on that or on there username and if its a suspect area or suspect username used by scam buyers from the ones u dont sell to reject the offer then block them! 

any1 who asks ? "is it used" BLOCK THEM  this is someone who wants new items for used prices

"do u offer free postage"  BLOCK THEM  ive yet to find a courier whom works for free

" i want it posted next day as normal " BLOCK THEM, they want something for free

"what colour or size or type is it" BLOCK THEM, they cant read or look at your listing

" is it like new! BLOCK THEM, they want pay used prices for new item

" do you accept returns! BLOCK THEM, they will return there damaged item for yours

"can i have other items for free?" BLOCK THEM as they will scam you and steal the item they buy as they want free items

etc... the list goes on ,  have a database of key words/ questions scammers use when they ask you ?'s so soon as 1  comes through I BLOCK THEM! im going by my past experience of selling over £1.5m worth of used parts in 9yrs as a part time business, and then i have substantial buying experience over 25yrs on ebay on my main account so i know alot of other sellers on here and they advise of the scams they get daily,  and then the  spreadsheet ebay sent stating all the buyers whom have caused them to charge extra 4% in fees, over 7 months i lost out over £7000 frm 2 accounts. doesnt include my time or the items. 

[crash_salvage_repair]

another thing, if the buyer is localish or im going that way to pick a car or parts or i suspect them as a scammer, i tell them will deliver the item for free, ive done that a few times on headlights/ bumpers etc... sold for £700+ and guess what the buyer wanted to cancel the transaction so they was planning the steal the parts by sending back there smashed light or a piece of wood/ brick in the box

this trick also catches out scammers or buyers you are suspect of, now i never doubt my gut feeling as if i have a gut feeling abt the buyer i just cancel simple, as cancellin doesnt mean uve lost out on a sale BUT that you've saved yourself money by not sellin to someone who will steal it