eBay not taking action against a spamming seller!

[walkingupwards]

So there this LTD company, they registered 3 different accounts with eBay and they're using the 3 accounts to spam search results with identical listings. They're literally stealing sales from everyone using the 3 accounts. The shocking thing to me is that their listings are super identical (i.e: same titles, same description, same pictures, same price).

In one category they are leaving no room for competition because their identical listings are all over the place. They're sucking up to 40% of the revenue of that category with their accounts.

eBay doesn't really seem to be wanting to take any action against that though!



I am not here to complain or something, just wanted to share this story of how eBay seem so desperate for sales they're turning a blind eye to spamming of search results (something they would have not allowed in the past)

[slokor]

Never known ebay to be 'desperate' for sales.
Have your tried to report this situation to ebay?

[Play]

I cannot imagine your complaints getting you very far. eBay's primary concern is ensuring their customers / buyers are happy.

They don't give much priority in dealing with complaints made by sellers about other sellers.

Given the scenario, it's not even an issue you can raise as a buyer.

So looking at it from all angles I'd just say move on to another category if one seller is dominating the space, and do exactly what his doing and dominate that other category

[phaz0rz]

^^Agreed with above. Sounds like you should learn from their marketing strategy OP.

[JamesNorth101]

Originally Posted by walkingupwards

So there this LTD company, they registered 3 different accounts with eBay and they're using the 3 accounts to spam search results with identical listings. They're literally stealing sales from everyone using the 3 accounts. The shocking thing to me is that their listings are super identical (i.e: same titles, same description, same pictures, same price).

In one category they are leaving no room for competition because their identical listings are all over the place. They're sucking up to 40% of the revenue of that category with their accounts.

eBay doesn't really seem to be wanting to take any action against that though!



I am not here to complain or something, just wanted to share this story of how eBay seem so desperate for sales they're turning a blind eye to spamming of search results (something they would have not allowed in the past)

Exactly the same thing that a lot of people do using several stealth accounts

Its a good way to dominate a market and make a lot of sales

[dallis]

So why can't you do the same thing - using a bit more caution and care, of course?

Squeeze them out in turn.

[walkingupwards]

Originally Posted by dallis

So why can't you do the same thing - using a bit more caution and care, of course?

Squeeze them out in turn.

I don't want to try my luck with eBay. I suspect they're not taking action because the seller doing that has more than 100k in feedbacks.

[phaz0rz]

Exactly. And they'll turn a blind eye for you too once you start making them enough money.

[rsot]

Originally Posted by walkingupwards

I don't want to try my luck with eBay. I suspect they're not taking action because the seller doing that has more than 100k in feedbacks.

Only relying on one account?

[walkingupwards]

Originally Posted by rsot

Only relying on one account?

Well, I had never been suspended. So I have my main account and another spare one, but I mainly sell on the first one only. I can't do stealth because I will hit the limit of 2500 € quickly and then Paypal wants to see some ID. So creating stealth accounts is kinda useless in my situation because I can't get creative and supply ⊗⊗⊗⊗ IDs to Paypal.

Stealth seems to be much easier in the US. In Germany you need the following to create a business account with eBay:

1. Valid address (They will later ask for a stamped document from your local authority which confirms that you indeed live at that address).

2. Valid VAT number.

3. Once you sell 2500 €, Paypal will freeze the account until you provide them with your ID and a copy of your business registration at the city.



So in theory I could set up as many stealths as I want, but a lot of documents should be forged to do that (i.e: official stamps and signatures). So it might very well work with eBay and Paypal, but if things go south and luck plays against me, I will be in hot water for a lot of forgery

[dallis]

So establish 50 accounts and sell 2499 on each one. Then move on and start over again when the limit resets the next year.

40 accounts at 2499 is just under 100K. that's a lot of sales.

The next year add another 40-50, then you've got 100 accounts.

I have a lot of accounts and I use them this way. I sell each month until I hit the 50 free listings, and maybe a listing sale, then that's it for the month. None of them ever come close to needing docs.

[cafonabob1]

Why don't you make 50 stealth accounts and buy 50 products from them and open 50 cases and leave 50 negative feedbacks? Then dispute all 50 and get your money back.

It is business. Gloves off. Crush them

[johnwick1]

Originally Posted by walkingupwards

So there this LTD company, they registered 3 different accounts with eBay and they're using the 3 accounts to spam search results with identical listings. They're literally stealing sales from everyone using the 3 accounts. The shocking thing to me is that their listings are super identical (i.e: same titles, same description, same pictures, same price).

In one category they are leaving no room for competition because their identical listings are all over the place. They're sucking up to 40% of the revenue of that category with their accounts.

eBay doesn't really seem to be wanting to take any action against that though!


I am not here to complain or something, just wanted to share this story of how eBay seem so desperate for sales they're turning a blind eye to spamming of search results (something they would have not allowed in the past)

This is one of the main reasons for getting involved in EbayStealth OP. You can do exactly what they are doing.