New policy means buyers can no longer collect in person!

[anniebody]

Ebay have repeatedly rejected my latest personal sale on the basis it no longer complies with the new policy.

I understand eBay are now forcing the buyer to pay exhorbitant prices instead of the seller, in the vain hope people get fooled by their claim selling is free, but what I can't understand is why they no longer allow large or heavy goods to be collected in person!

Just what is wrong with this?

"After you have paid, I shall send you my full address via the eBay messaging system. When you arrive be sure to have the eBay app installed with the QR code for the sale. After viewing, if you decide you don't want the goods, I shall arrange a full refund via eBay which you can witness."

I believe it complies with the requirements of the UK Consumer Rights Act but, apparently it breaches the new code for buyers and blocks the listing!

Can anyone offer  a valid reason (apart from greed) why this would be?

[jonatjonatjonat]

Have you tried listing without that text? Its possible eBay think you are trying to encourage an off eBay sale due to some of the terms in the statement.

[anniebody]

Then why would a buyer purchase from me when they cannot try an item before taking it away and have no reassurance about obtaining a refund?

eBay had no problem before the new policy last year when I sold lots of items with similar text.

What I clearly state fully complies with eBay's selling policies. I think the problem is that they use a stupid AI that is not at all intelligent and then use a reviewer too stupid to understand written English!

I also think they are driven by greed once they have found a way to financially penalise buyers in favour of false claims about free selling. If I provide a written guarantee of a product and a refund if not satisfied they cannot justify forcing the buyer to pay for a service that is not required!

Would you  purchase when you are charged for doing so? I wouldn't. Nobody else charges for this long established UK legal requirement so why should eBay?

[jonatjonatjonat]

They do have a reassurance because it’s eBay policy.you simply don’t need to repeat it in your description. It’s not necessary.

whether you stated it before is neither here nor there, they don’t like something in that statement now.

im fairly sure that if you remove the text you’ll be able to list your item.

[sml192]

It is probably the mention of providing your address through the eBay messaging system that is triggering the problem.  Ebay will automatically provide your address to the buyer when they pay.

Also, the buyer doesn't necessarily have to have the eBay app installed.  They just need to bring the collection code which you can then enter manually.

Finally, the Consumer Rights Act does not apply when purchasing from a private seller. 

[anniebody]

Thanks for the positive responses.

I know from previous experience with collected items that buyers are unsure, or completely unaware, of the process. That's why I feel it is important to let would be buyers know how to go about obtaining their goods, as they blame the seller when things go wrong and you get negative feedback.

eBay should automatically provide buyers with a copy of the 'what happens now' process, but they don't.

eBay should automatically add the collection process to listed items for collection but they don't.

[anniebody]

As a follow up, eBay have the listing blocked, but won't automatically update that block when you edit it!

Instead, you have to create an entirely new listing, then have the blocked one forever listed in your selling, as eBay do  not allow any way to remove it!

It appears they ONLY care about wording and about providing a working system nor seller satisfaction!

[anniebody]

Can someone tell me what exactly breached eBay selling policy, because they won't:

Vango Inflatable Airbeam 4 Person Tent in original carry bag. Priced for quick sale at less than half price of new.
Capri 400XL with front overhang to prevent rain ingress when opening: a feature lacking in many tents!
Only used for three weeks pre-covid so in excellent condition.
Worsening back problem means no more camping!
Fabsil treated from new for extra rain protection.
Airbeam uses pneumatic tubes as the frame, not tent poles, which means it is a doddle to erect in minutes.

With additional original bagged Porch Door for extra storm protection (never used).
With additional original bagged Vango internal carpet for a more homely feel.
With additional original bagged Vango Footprint groundsheet to lay under tent and minimise mud when repacking.

See website:
https://www.vangoarchive.co.uk/gb/tents/airbeam/2017/capri-400xl-air-2017
https://www.vangoarchive.co.uk/gb/tents/tent-additions/2017/capri-400xl-porch-door-2017
https://www.vango.co.uk/cp005-230x210cm-universal-carpet

As the items are too large to post, collection only from Milton Keynes please.
On the day of collection, I suggest we erect it together so you can see how easy it is, and check it over.
If you then decide you don't want it, I'll refund in full.

Please make yourself aware of eBay's policy and procedure regarding collection in person.

Any questions, please ask.

[anniebody]

I think I might have solved it!

Ebay now charge buyers for insurance whether they want it or not!

That means by giving a buyer your own assurance of a refund means these greedy can't justify ripping off buyers anymore!"

Any thoughts?

[hele-dixo]

Hi anniebody, I belive the problem is the link to the external website. I was selling an amplifier a few weeks ago and it happened to me. Like you I invited buyers to try the amp and initially thought this was the problem as eBay don't tell you what the issue is! I had no problem revising the listing but it didn't update and when I phoned the help desk I was told  it could take up to a maximum of 48

hours. After phoning the help desk it did update pretty quickly.

[61stephenuk]

Definitely the links wouldn't be approved,no links to any site other than eBay pages are generally allowed.

"To protect our members, listings or products can’t contain links that direct customers to a site other than eBay, even if the link is not clickable."

[anniebody]

It can't be the links though, as last year I sold all my golf equipment, some 10 individual items in all, and all had links.

I have always used links wherever possible as it provides would be buyers with independent reviews and additional information, such as manufacturer's website data.

Surely, it is best practice to allow would be buyers information about what you are selling.

So if links are the problem then eBay should advise sellers what is acceptable and what is not, and also advise changes to policy.

[anniebody]

As follow up, it is possible for eBay to monitor these posts and edit what they consider inappropriate content ( from the heart!) and let you know what they have changed and why they have done so but not do the same when selling. So you are not able to criticise eBay even when wholly appropriate.  We'll be burning Amazon books next!

[61stephenuk]

That was last year though, things change

eBay constantly changes and updates its terms,the current policy for links in listings is here https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/policies/listing-policies/links-policy?id=4248 

You can see that at the moment links in listings are not allowed with a few exceptions,links to manufacturers site not being one .

[anniebody]

I received an email from eBay support confirming that any website address is now an infringement.

The link they provided to amend the listing failed, as does editing the entry. I finished up removing all text in my listing and still it remained blocked by eBay. It appears that you have to create a new listing and accept you can never remove the listings they have blocked in your selling section. Needs work!

Not very good and not very helpful.