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Ebay venting

A Harris

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Please excuse the rant:

I just spent an hour on the phone with ebay trust and safety. They ended three auctions this afternoon, one of which was disappeared AFTER the item had been sold. The auction title: NWT $1295 RALPH LAUREN POLO SPORTCOAT BY CANALI 38 40

According to trust and safety, this is keyword spamming. Their keyword spamming policy:

"Keyword spamming is the practice of placing inappropriate words in searchable text to draw attention to Web content. To ensure that members' searches produce relevant results, sellers are not permitted to put brand names or other inappropriate keywords in a listing title or description for the purpose of attracting members to a listing. Sellers can only include a brand name under certain limited conditions.

For example, sellers can include a brand name in a listing title only if the item being offered for sale was produced or manufactured by the company that uses the name."

and:

"Keyword spamming occurs when members place brand names or other inappropriate keywords in a title or description for the purpose of gaining attention or diverting members to a listing. Keyword spamming in listings is not permitted on eBay. The searchable text sellers place in listings must be directly relevant to the item being sold."

In this case, the coats I was selling were tailored by Canali for the Polo line. On explaining this I was told at first that they were ended because the wording "tailored in Italy by Canali" did not make it clear that Canali was the manufacturer! After challenging that, they said that in cases where one company is a subsidiary of another (they cited Abercrombie and some other company) only one brand name is allowed to be used. I agreed with them on that policy, citing the rampant Tom James/Oxxford misrepresentation sellers often use, but explained that this case has nothing to do with subsidiaries, that Canali is a subcontracter, which is clearly relevant according to their own policy "For example, sellers can include a brand name in a listing title , only if the item being offered for sale was produced or manufactured by the company that uses the name." I was then informed that I was still in violation because even though Canali made the coat, only one brand name was allowed in the title. I asked them to point me to the section of ebay policy stating that. I was then informed that they couldn't do so, that it was not in the policy listed on the site, but was instead part of some sort of private unlisted policy, not to be found on the site, but which was still binding. And that contrary to what listed policy seems to indicate, that only the brand name that appears on the label is allowed in the title. In one last attempt I cited instances where a coat bears both the name of the designer AND the manufacturer on the label. But no, that is in violation of their 'policy' too, even then only one name is allowed in the title.
cloud.gif


If they worked this hard to harass sellers who actually keyword spam, I bet my sales would go up 10%.

Rant over.
 

NoVaguy

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I thought Polo used Corneliani, not Canali.
 

chobochobo

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The corduroy one is very nice indeedy. Pity it's too large, though the shoulders seem to fit.
 

Omegablogger

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They should listen because "NWT $1295 RALPH LAUREN POLO SPORTCOAT BY CANALI 38 40" is as perfect a listing title as you are likely to find. A well designed title, putting search aside, should tell the user what they are likely to find before they click, that one is near perfect...assuming it's accurate.
 

tahitiantreat

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I absolutely loathe keyword spamming.

I absolutely adore trusted sellers such as yourself who include as much relevant information as possible about a product.

Ebay is barking up the wrong tree, I think.
 

A Harris

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Re. the Corneliani vs Canali issue - they switched to Canali some time back. Quality is essentially the same.
 

rnoldh

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Unfortunately, someone must have complained about your listing.

I have seen this previously. If someone makes a complaint, then Ebay will do something.

If there is no complaint, Ebay rarely if ever will do anything about a violation.

As I'm sure you are aware, Ebay really doesn't care about violations but just wants to cover their ass.

Here's a current "Tom James Oxxford" suit listing:

TOM JAMES OXXFORD Corporate Image ~ 48L

Here
 

A Harris

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I used to think that too. But once, after one of these arguments with ebay reps over this specific policy (I have had many of them) I tested that theory by reporting a number of items for blatant keyword spamming, to ebay trust and safety. NONE were removed. Apparently in their eyes I am a recalcitrant keyword spammer, who deserves special attention for the safety of the ebay community.
 

Zegnamtl

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Ironic they did this to you today, I found a listing "Façonnable (Kiton quality) which strikes me as discreet keyword spamming.

Sounds like the buffoon on the phone can't think for himself.

Could you relist and say : Manufactured by Canali for Ralph Lauren in place of just by...
it may be clearer to the fogheads.
 

Hard2Fit

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Originally Posted by A Harris
Re. the Corneliani vs Canali issue - they switched to Canali some time back. Quality is essentially the same.

Just curious but did they switch back or are they currently made by Canali?
 

distinctive

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Originally Posted by WesternBlot
ebay/paypal is in need of competition. im surprised no one has come up with an alternative auction site that deals with clothing/shoes/accessories.

that 'unstated policy' is bull$hit.


Many auctions have tried to compete with eBay, but cannot stand up to them. It does seem like a monopoly...easily knocking out such "competition" as yahoo auctions (which no longer exists). It's a love-hate thing with me...mostly hate.
 

amerikajinda

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Originally Posted by distinctive
Many auctions have tried to compete with eBay, but cannot stand up to them. It does seem like a monopoly...easily knocking out such "competition" as yahoo auctions (which no longer exists).
Not sure how they did it, but Yahoo Auctions is #1 in Japan... (http://auctions.yahoo.co.jp)
 

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