Zero sales after changing listings to 'Send with the Global Shipping Programme'

[fricdawf]

Hi guys.

I'm not sure what has happened here. Last week, I turned on 'Send with the Global Shipping Programme' on all my listings, thinking that opening up to a wider audience would increase sales. The result is that I've gone from a consistent  1-2 sales per day to zero sales whatsoever over a period of 8 days. I've checked on somebody else's PC and my listings are visible as normal. Something has definitely gone wrong - does anyone have any ideas what can have happened?

[claire_leonhart]

Hi, they can still see my listings, but I had to turn it off, maybe price are too high now by them, and so people are put off the sales, plus it wanted to use UPS and such, which I don't use, I always sent by a local UK service and nobody ever complained. I made peace with myself that in the current way of deals with deliveries by Ebay I won't make anymore sales even abroad, so I am thinking another place where to do it like before. Price are too high with them and so uncompetitive, plus you have to put the packaging in the item price which is higher now, and the fact I cannot choose the right amount for offers, put away sales by them now completely, buyers are not silly, they notice the spike in price. Try to put it off again and have a check about how things are going, this is the busy time before Xmas, you can have a good understanding of what works and what not.

[fricdawf]

Thank you for your response.

I've discovered what actually happened. Today, eBay sent me an email stating the following:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

One or more of your listings have been hidden for not following our Search manipulation policy. We understand that this must be frustrating. But don’t worry — we’re here to help!

What happened

Manipulating search results to gain unfair visibility of a listing is not allowed.

Please understand that you used the keywords "(G.I. Joe" in the title or description of the listing. Keywords are often used for the purpose of diverting members to a listing, which is not permitted. Also, usage of different keywords in the title results in a poor search experience. Keywords can be defined as brand names, celebrity names, designer names, specific products, or other much searched words, which are unrelated with the actual item for sale. You can relist your item by removing the unrelated keywords from your listing.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

As you can imagine, I am rather annoyed by this. Firstly, eBay took 8 days to inform me of this 'infraction' which has cost me that amount of time in sales. Secondly, it would appear that this is just AI Bull*bleep* as the listing keyword was perfectly legitimate.

Another eBay customer that has had a bad experience with a company that appears to be swirling down the drain due to unmitigated greed and stupidity. eBay used to be great. What happened?

[claire_leonhart]

I do understand. It is becoming quite picky on listing, it is saying one of mine is not legit for branded items I just suspended because they are insisting and it is not worth the hassle to be fair. Items are legitimate since they came from the official store. And even after all that or private sellers are leaving in many at once or search is broken because it still direct me on other items. 

[sajid123-3]

Hi, the Global Shipping Programme normally does not reduce sales. Your items are still visible, so this is probably just a temporary drop in traffic or normal search re-indexing after you changed your settings. Please check your impressions in Seller Hub and make sure all item details are complete. Sales usually return once search settles again.

— Sajid Javed (Empowerers)
eBay Seller Support & Listing Consultant

[cobwebcottage]

'The gun in the photos is not included. This sale is for one magazine only.'

This may be your reason why. The main photo shows a different item to the product being sold.

[ett1954]

 ' ... the listing keyword was perfectly legitimate.' - I suspect that search manipulation may be the least of your worries; if indeed this is the actual reason your listings have been hidden.

Both 'GI Joe' and 'Action Man' are registered names - are you licensed or registered with the rights owners to use these names?  If not then you run the risk of being reported through the VERO scheme; if in fact you have not already been reported; which would explain why many of your listings have been removed.

You are manufacturing accessories for these figures and therefore trading off the back of these registered names.  The rights owners are American and they will usually enforce their rights rigorously.  You need to be aware you could receive correspondence through US lawyers claiming damages - this has often been reported on these forums with the recipients of these claims being put under undue stress.  I would advise you to take all reference to these names from your listings.

I will also mention, before someone else chimes in, that by manufacturing these accessories you are trading and should be correctly registered as a business seller to comply with the Consumer Rights Act - 2015 with regards to online selling.

[plpmr]

Well two thigs -

Tiny light scabbard @ £6.02 – to Eire Global charges of £14.71. Thanks but no thanks.

Also looking at your listings you are a business seller trading as a private seller.