eBay

jdskinner123 · ‎27-10-2025

I recently set up a new account to sell specific items in the collectibles / model railway category (no nothing I thought would be prohibited) and the first sales went well with positive feedback (not from all as I know not everyone leaves feedback, but no neutral or negatives) but with my second week of sales after 1 day the listings were removed and the account suspended. I spoke to Ebay support and the account was reinstated and so I listed the items again but after 2 days the account has been suspended again. I have now just spoken to Ebay support again and while I appreciate that they were not able to give specifics on the listings to avoid people being able to circumvent the rules, they have confirmed the new account would stay suspended. The only hint I received was that I should check the wording of the listings carefully before listing again on my existing account. I really can't see any problems with what I listed (we are talking about used model trains and wagons) and so worried about trying to relist on my existing account and inadvertently causing my existing account to be suspended.

Just to note, I set up the new account to try and keep my small volume (5-10 a week) of selling models and toys separate from my account that I use for day to day purchases and other occasional sales of unwanted items. This is a private account, not a business account.

So after some advice really. Is there maybe a list of banned words that I can check as my only thought is that I may have accidently used a word or phrase that might mean something else either in another language (although that seems unlikely) or maybe have a meaning in modern use that I (as an 'older' person) may have not realised and accidently used. Not sure where to go from here. I am worried that my existing account could also get suspended if I try and relist the items on there.

Thanks for any help or pointers.

*vyolla* · ‎27-10-2025

The usual issue here in this scenario is that the seller has put a link to a third party website in their listing description, or some wording that looks like an offer to sell outside of eBay.

Without knowing what you put in your description it's impossible to tell. I guess you could post the block of text from the description of one of the problematic listings here and we may be able to spot the reason.

gnosemalf · ‎27-10-2025

This may or may not help but I had a similar problem trying to list a guitar effects unit which included an iPad (which fitted inside it) on Gumtree. I tried listing it quite a few times and it kept getting de-listed no matter how I edited it. I thought that if I carried on, I might just break some spamming algorithm or something.

I tried asking customer service but got no response at all. Eventually, and seriously as a last resort because if I had any hair, I'd have been pulling it out, I asked ChatGPT - I uploaded the text of my original ad and it told me that for whatever reason, including iPads in a bundle was prohibited. I simply omitted the mention of the iPad and said that everything in the photo was included and the listing was accepted.

jdskinner123 · ‎27-10-2025

Thanks. There were no links which I know is generally not allowed. I did copy the text when I relisted, just in case it happened again, so this is one of the listings which to me seems ok but would be happy to know if anyone sees something that I don't. The first bit (the actual description) varied by items, but the postage and note about using my own pictures was the same in all listings. The first row was the title as well as being used in the first line of the details.

Graham Farish 1805 N Gauge Class 5 Steam Loco 4-6-0 BR Black Livery 44911

This is a nice condition Graham Farish class 5 steam locomotive as seen in the pictures, in BR black livery. No issues cosmetically and a good runner.

This is not boxed but will be well packaged for shipping.

Check for my other auctions all starting at low prices.

Postage is via Ebay's Simple Delivery programme using Royal Mail. I will combine postage if you win more than one auction. UK shipping only. PLEASE WAIT UNTIL ALL AUCTIONS HAVE FINISHED FOR COMBINED SHIPPING. I may not be able to provide refunds for postage if auctions are paid separately.

I try and describe my auctions as best as I can with pictures of the actual items, but if there are any issues with your items on delivery please do let me know straight away before leaving feedback and I will do my best to rectify any issues."

lucy_farmer · ‎27-10-2025

All I can think of is that the A.I. system thinks the numbers of the locos are your telephone number!

And as such, an invitation to contact and buy off ebay....

theelench · ‎27-10-2025

Admittedly a long shot but could "I may not be able to provide refunds of postage if auctions are paid separately" be raising red flags ?

I looked at some other sellers Graham Farish items and that sentence seems to be the only difference that I could see.

jdskinner123 · ‎27-10-2025

Thanks - I have used that phrase for some time on my other account, but it is a good point and I will try and think of a phrase that makes a similar point without being too explicit.

jdskinner123 · ‎27-10-2025

I would hope that the AI bots would recognise that is not a phone number or am I hoping for too much.

Overall, lots of good ideas - it would be so much easier if Ebay would at least tell me what phrase is the problem and I could change it rather than just saying you must meet our unpublished and hard to figure out policy on what is and is not allowed.

I guess I can't speculate too much or I might find my other account is suspended too!