Item described as Policy Violation but eBay won’t identify what the violation is

[paulclarke15]

I have created a listing which is TOTALLY IDENTICAL to multiple others I have listed but they stated it went against policy. Their response was an automated email saying that it violates their policy.

I then went onto chat and spoke with two eBay employees and neither one could see anything wrong with my listing.

I have attempted to list the same item (a vinyl record) four times and all have been refused. There are others listing the same record so it cannot be the item being an issue.

I just really want a proper response from eBay to say what is wrong and not an automated cop off.

[rainbowtrax]

What record was it and what was your exact title?

[paulclarke15]

It is the 12” version of Brothers in Rhythm - Such A Good Feeling.

The response I got via email stated that I have gone “against policy for selling outside of eBay”. But nothing in my listing remotely suggests this. I have 100s of records listed in exactly the same format.

It’s just this one they have an issue with.

[john1297576]

This sounds like an AI response,  where any reason is likely to be given.

I do not know if appropriate but only thought that comes to mind is VERO where brand owner can ask for removal. Is that likely to happen with a record?

[red_magpie]

This is clutching at straws, but could it be "I live in a village without a Post Office" that's caused it? 

I suspect that eBay's so-called AI is little more than glorified keyword scanning. It could have programmed to recognise "I live" as an attempt to trade outside of eBay. It hasn't caused any problems with your previous listings, but it's possible the list of trigger phrases has been updated.

You could try changing this to something like "There is no local post office ...."

[paulclarke15]

I have checked and there are multiple copies of this record available from other sellers on eBay…. And mine lists nothing different from all of those.

[paulclarke15]

Thanks for this. But if that is the case then all my other listings 800+ should have been flagged too? I have been selling with this format since I moved to the village 13 years ago!!

[paulclarke15]

When I spoke with an actual eBay person he went through every word and every part of my listing. He could not see any issue with any part of my wording or choices.

I have tried four times now to list this record and each one has come back with the same:  "This auction was ended because of a policy violation."

The emailed response I get when I contest is complete automated nonsense and I just want them to let me know EXACTLY what part has flagged it up as a violation. Looking at other listings for this record I can see that I have not deviated from any of those!!

[john1297576]

Just an idea, rather than using your own wordings, try a listing by another member and use LIST SIMILAR, usually shown on left side under picture. 

If it still rejects then I suggest give it a break for some weeks and try again.

[paulclarke15]

Thank you. I might attempt this when I come back around to it.