EBay AI Causing Issues

[despeculator]

Ebay's automatic system has just incorrectly accused me of trying to sell outside, which is untrue

The system is supposed to allow you to revise whatever error that has caused the automatic AI to make the false accusation - mistakes happen - however the system doesn't allow that because it throws a hissy fit and automatically ends the listing. So whilst revision would normally be possible, indeed EBAy states that what you should do, you can't.
So I tried talking to 'customer services' in the philippines or which ever country they use where English is a 2nd language. The lady didn't care, couldn't understand what the issue is and I will never be able to access my listing so have to start again! I'm rapidly getting to the point where if I find another supplier I'd move. It used to be if you rang ebay, they bent over backwards to help, not any more, they just want the money.

[style_wise]

It is difficult for other Sellers to give advice without knowing exactly what you said to the Buyer. Or do you already understand where you went wrong with messaging?

eBay still bend over backwards to help. Personally I find everyone to be very helpful regardless of country. Yes, sometimes you have to be a bit patient to get a technical point across. But if you prefer to speak to Ireland, try asking for a callback in the morning. They open at 8am on weekdays. Here is the quickest way to get eBay to call you:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/eua?id=5275

[jonatjonatjonat]

At a guess - a link was included within the description. If thats the case then yes, ebay would pick this up as attempting to take the customer off ebay (they can't check what the links are - its just a near blanket ban on external links - a few exceptions are allowed).

But it is a guess.

[marco@ebay]

Hi despeculator, thanks for your post.

If you think this was wrong, or there was a mistake, we would send you an email about this topic. I understand you already contacted us, but if you want, on that email, there is a contact us option just in case you think this was a mistake, so you can appeal the decision in question. I'm sure the agent will assist you accordingly.

Thank you,

Marco

[despeculator]

Thank you for replying - I gave in and accepted it was impossible to continue with the listing.

The issue is:

Ebay's AI identifies a possible issue - ok, this can happen

It incorrectly makes an accusation - this isn't acceptable imho - it is one thign to say 'there may be an issue' but another to state it is x and x be incorrect

But then, at this point, your system states it can be rectified
In this case an existing listing (previously fine) had some additional information added AI said wasn't ok
Again this can happen
Your system then says you can review and revise the listing
This is where the real issue is
Because the listing is automatically ended it cannot be revised, nor be copied to be restarted
What should've happened it I go to the listing, correct the anomaly AI picked up and it restarts
That is what your system intends but it isn't functioning correctly
Contacting customer service or emailing isn't something I'd bother with after my experience yesterday
The lady had zero interest in me or the fact your system was offering something it then denied ie there was a fault
If you are able to remedy this so a listing can be revised if an issue arises then it would be appreciated

[despeculator]

Maybe I haven't made this clear

Issues will arise from tiem to time, errors or misunderstandings occur
The system is supposed to allow the seller to revise the listing and correct it
However because it ends the listing and locks it, what ebay intends and actually what happens are different

IMHO there is an issue with their system as the seller is best off just starting from scratch if faced with this
EBay yesterday had zero interest if theri system was or was not operating correctly
How do faults get identified if that is the internal attitude?

[despeculator]

Maybe I haven't made this clear, there was no buyer

Issues will arise from tiem to time, errors or misunderstandings occur
The system is supposed to allow the seller to revise the listing and correct it
However because it ends the listing and locks it, what ebay intends and actually what happens are different

IMHO there is an issue with their system as the seller is best off just starting from scratch if faced with this
EBay yesterday had zero interest if theri system was or was not operating correctly
How do faults get identified if that is the internal attitude?

[emeraz11]

I am having a different issue with ebay's AI in that it is randomely delisting items as being 'Counterfeit' when they are not and there's absolutely nothing I can do to get around it (6 times inthe last 2 weeks).

With the first 2, I contacted the brands directly, sent them exactly the same images that were used on ebay and asked if there was anything at all in the image that would indicate they were, or could be counterfeit. The answer in both cases was they see no issue. So, I copied both sets of emails, sent in appeals and received messages back from ebay saying the items will stay de-listed as they 'believe' them to be counterfeit (belief does not equal fact!). 

There is absolutely no indication of why they believe it to be so - and demanding I obtain a 'certificate of authentication' from the brand before they will do anything.

The irony is, that all items were under £12 in value (hardly a great payday for potential counterfeiters!!!), none of the items are high volume products in the general market, none are 'pretending to be something that they are not', I had single items for sale only (so wasn't trying to flog hundreds!), and it is not worth the cost of sending the items to the brand's marketing for a certificate when there is absolutely nothing to indicate that ebay's AI is detecting something that the brands themselves are not.

I am only a private seller and see thousands of clear counterfeits for sale via business sellers all the time, as well as multiple blatant policy contraventions, yet the listings stay up. I can't wrap my head around how, if AI is functioning as it should be, it should be targeting the obvious contraventions.

I am currently transferring some items over to alternate platforms and investigating other ways of selling as there is no arguing with robots - artificial or otherwise.

I'm done

[leighbayuk]

I just encountered this issue with one of my listings. It seems this was because I included an external link, in my case, to GitHub for system requirements, setup information and drivers for the computer hardware I am selling. I thought that would be useful thing to include for potential buyers.

It took me a while to work out that this was the issue as the email from eBay simply accuses me of breaching policy by offering to buy or sell outside of eBay. If the email simply stated that the reason was the inclusion of an external link, then I would have immediately understood the issue. The false accusation of a long-standing member is not appreciated. eBay's AI must be pretty dumb if it cannot understand the context and provided more accurate feedback to the user.

[8a8el17]

My listing was removed due to contravening the emissions policy.  The item does nothing of the sort.  The eBay category it was in exactly describes the item but after 3 long chats and an appeal with the agents swearing blind that the policy was impacted, I gave up.  As you say, no arguing with a robot or its servants.  In addition, I asked if they had run it past a human and they said Yes.  Unlikely as most people know what a simple tuning chip does, as do car insurance companies who have lots of options to add these types of devices to your policy.