Restricted Account

[georjem_78]

My account has been randomly “seller restricted”. I asked eBay why this has happened and I was told they are not allowed to tell me. I’ve been selling on eBay for over a year and a half. I posted 2 items via locker at the same time, this was over a week ago and the tracking never updated since it was dropped. I attempted to contact eBay asking what has happened as I used eBay’s own delivery service and they are ignoring me. Has anyone else encountered some rubbish like this before? I am being refused to know any information about anything, I find it unprofessional and disgusting from such a big company.

[tobiasd4]

At a guess, ebay are suspicious of a private seller with multiples of new items, especially Apple products. 

Read VeRo at bottom of page, Apple are hot on removing suspected fake items.

[jckl1957]

There have been a lot of posts from buyers who have bought expensive new phones which have been dropped off at lockers but then have never appeared to move and have not been delivered.

If this has happened with the two phones you sold, and Ebay has refunded your buyers because you used Simple Delivery, then that could be why they have restricted your selling activities.

Obviously, that is just speculation on my part.  As a responsible seller, did you not wonder what happened to the phones you sold and sent?

There are lots of posts from other sellers whose accounts have been restricted and it is clear that Ebay's policy is not to discuss the restriction with the seller involved, harsh as that may seem to an individual.

[georjem_78]

Ridiculous. What’s the point of selling items if I am only aloud to sell certain ones? I don’t see this information anywhere in there terms. I have receipts and proof of postage. eBay hasn’t asked me for anything. Can I also add they have had a problem with the live chat feature for multiple months which they are aware of and still unfixed making it almost impossible to contact. 

[georjem_78]

No. For a starters, there’s been a known issue with the live chat feature which they haven’t sorted for months making it impossible for me to contact. I was made aware “eBay are handling this” there is nothing I need to do. And also you don’t get a choice whether to choose simple delivery. You are forced and when something goes wrong the seller is expected to pick up the pieces. I have receipts of the items I sold, proof I have dropped the items off. After reading terms and conditions regarding simple delivery, it seems eBay have already taken liability for this (they admitted they are liable on twitter to me). I’ll happily take this further as eBay are completely in the wrong here. Such a shame there is hidden restriction about what you can and can’t sell. As soon as this issue is resolved I’ll be completely deleting my account as eBay is no longer trustworthy to me.

[jckl1957]

It is straightforward to get a callback if live chat isn't working.

Use the link below:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/eua?id=5275&mkevt=1&mkpid

Just out of interest, did either of your buyers receive the phones you sold them?

[georjem_78]

No, I posted them both at the exact same time at the exact same location. I haven’t got time to speak on the phone and I shouldn’t have to do an alternative option. eBay is updating their app, adding new features, but a serious bug like this which has been happening for months hasn’t been solved it’s a complete utter joke. I have messaged on twitter numerous times, asked to raise a formal complaint and I have been literally ignored. I’m currently waiting for an outcome which I have no clue how long I’ll be waiting, when my items will be delivered if they even do get delivered, or even an explanation as to what has happened and what to do next. I have literally been advised to do nothing as eBay are handling it. They have completely failed me and eBay seem to have an AI algorithm which suspends accounts. I find this extremely stupid as an AI can clearly make mistakes and eBay refuse to manually look at it. I hope you can understand my frustration. I have no idea what to do next. I don’t think it’s fair I have to lose out on funds and 2 items because of a mistake eBay made. If I could use my own delivery service this would not of happened hence why I am happy to take this to a small claims court.

[61stephenuk]

Have you contacted Royal Mail to see if they have any updates on the tracking?

Sometimes they can see more on their internal system than shown on the tracking page

[jckl1957]

You can only use the service previously known as 'small claims court' if you have suffered a measurable financial loss.

I don't really see the difference between speaking to somebody on the phone or using a live chat facility.

You have been given a way to contact Ebay.

If you want to discuss your restriction further, you should contact Ebay although as I have already stated:

'There are lots of posts from other sellers whose accounts have been restricted and it is clear that Ebay's policy is not to discuss the restriction with the seller involved, harsh as that may seem to an individual.'

[georjem_78]

I will of suffered a “measurable financial loss”. I will be out of pocket 2 items and out of pocket funds. As I said, I don’t have time to sit on the phone when I’m at my office already dealing with calls. This bug should be fixed, eBay is a massive company it’s silly. Also I never said I wanted to discuss the restriction, it already states they are unable to provide me any information to this. I stated I want a full explanation as to what has happened with the items I posted as I haven’t been told anything apart from to not do anything. Please don’t bother replying if you can’t be bothered to read what I put. 

[georjem_78]

No, eBay specifically told me numerous times they are handling it and there’s is nothing I need to do. I have followed all of eBay’s instructions from listing the item, to posting it off. This is what situation I am in after following eBay’s exact instructions.

[61stephenuk]

Ok, have the buyers opened cases for item not received?If so then eBay will refund them if the phones are lost and you will keep the payment as simple delivery was used and you should have a receipt from RM when you dropped the items off.

[georjem_78]

Yes, the buyers have opened cases. I do have a receipt however eBay hasn’t asked me for this and I don’t know how I’d upload this to them.

[61stephenuk]

You don't have to do anything,eBay will handle the cases and refund if they agree the items have not been delivered,you will not pay the refund and kep the proceeds of your sales.

[georjem_78]

This wasn’t the case. eBay issued a full refund to the buyer as there wasn’t valid delivery proof. This is absolutely disgusting from eBay. I have lost an item and funds. They didn’t ask me for any proof or anything.

[tressygirl]

Did you use Simple Delivery for these transactions?  If you did,  and the items were lost in the post, if buyer opens a case for item, not received eBay do refund the buyer but from their ' purse'.  You get to keep the original payment for those items,  as long as they were under the value of £750 each item,  and as said,  you used  Simple Delivery labels and process.

Have you checked your eBay account to see if the payout has been released back to you / still there?

@georjem_78 

[georjem_78]

Yes I used eBay’s simple delivery. And eBay refunded the buyer and took the funds. And yes you are correct about the simple delivery. I read the terms and conditions and they are certainly liable. I find it disgusting how eBay has done this and got away with it. I’m just waiting on the appeal and if the resolution isn’t fair, I’ll be taking it further as I followed all their policies and terms and they aren’t upholding their end of them.

[tressygirl]

So, eBay refunded,  and they used your funds? 

Is the payment for those items not with you anymore?

@georjem_78 

[georjem_78]

Yes, unfortunately eBay refunded the buyer and used my funds. The reason was because I didn’t provide enough proof of delivery however this is what I find disturbing. eBay was handling it all, they made a mistake and I’m left to pick up the pieces. I’ve sent multiple emails and haven’t received anything back for 2 days now. I have no idea what to do.