Ebay in Cahoots With My Competitors

[onceuponatime]

I spent 5 years on Ebay getting over 5,000 positive feedbacks from over 7,000 orders shipped. Less than 5 negs in all that time from competitors and two children who purchased. The competitors didn't like that I provided more photos, information, marketing etc than they did and a few lowlives banded together to complain to ebay, post on message boards accusing me of shill bidders, photo tampering, scamming etc. They also wrote to winning bidders and broke every ebay rule with impunity. Didn't matter to them or ebay that those with the product in hand were delighted and said so via feedback. I shipped timely and promptly. Time and time again I had to provide my info and talk to the baboons in the trust and safety department. Time and time again anyone that bought from me consistently was "investigated" as a shill bidder.

As luck would have it, OR, by collusion with the competitors, an international scammer used a loophole in paypal to scam me out of almost $2,000 because paypal couldn't confirm past the SF international tracking a firm delivery within 45 days ----and paypal refunded the money. The scammer had my merchandise and the money and ebay and paypal would do NOTHING even when after 90 days I was able to prove it WAS DELIVERED within 5 days. They said "too late" and allowed the 12 "item not rec'd" complaints by the scammer to impact on my performance and suspended me. They pulled my auctions and charged me the fees. I was out over $4,000 between fees and the scam and SUSPENDED for doing nothing wrong but be better than the competitors who had an ear at the dunghole called trust and safety (clerks with a 4th grade education).

End result, a suspension telling me that even if I paid the fees, because of "performance" I might not be let back on ebay.

They then suspended my MOTHERS account and my roommates account as "linked" accounts, and, they suspended an account of a neighbor across the street JUST BECAUSE SHE LIVES NEAR ME and sells similar stuff. We all proved that we have different names, bank accounts, phone numbers etc TO NO AVAIL.

Subsequently, I "leased" a friends account who was subsequently suspended as a "linked" account although I was using an IP blocker which supposedly blocks the IP address and the internal IP address of the computer.

How can that be?

Now, I'm in a quandry as to how they can find out about another account even though the merchandise sold is TOTALLY DIFFERENT. They've done this twice already.

I'm about to order the Stealth Book. Yet, I wonder if there is new software that somehow can capture an IP or a "packet" has been inserted on this computer to tag any account that might emenate from this source.

Any thoughts anyone...or am I a dead duck because of competitors greed, ebays non caring attitude and paypal's decision that they are GOD?

[GreenBean]

Welcome to the forum once'

Many of us here can identify with your story. Right now you are likely on overload with everything. The accounts being suspended because of linkage are typical ebay stunts.
Sadly that account you leased was doomed to fail: the software that is available is detected by ebay.... now that does not mean everything is doom & gloom. The forum specializes in ebay/paypal & there are lots of tricks.

This is my recommendation. Make a cup of coffee, read the forum: see if you can start to see ways to get back on ebay. Go to the subforum about IP addresses & tracking, that's the opening for you. Most certainly consider having the Stealth Book. That becomes your new bible.

When you have had a read & say you have questions about your IP, post there. Tell us what you use & we can walk you thro' changing.
If you have any questions feel free to pm me as well

[bluemoon999]

To get out of the passive and victim position, you will need two S.S. weapons: Stealth + Strategy. Stealth will definitely get your back to eBay & Paypal. As for the competitors & some evils, there are certain strategies to handle these things. That's a different big topic. You can ask people around here either by posts or PMs.

[onceuponatime]

Thank you so very much for your quick reply. I am on overload with this situation because it's been my "income" for the last few years.

I use the "gotrustedsecure" tunnel v2 which is supposedly blocking not only my IP address (and even shows the public ip address in the box when in use) but supposedly blocking my computer id IP. It costs $5.99 a month.

I've looked at the IP address and tracking section and yes, I DO clean the cookies and the history every time prior to signing on...but still it seems to find me within a week or so.

As I said, I'm going to look further at stealth guide.

One quick question, is there anything other than blocking my IP that I can do right now as I'm using a friends account (on my computer) and don't want her to be suspended.

<sigh>...I hate this dishonesty towards ebay but I've NEVER done a darn thing wrong and have been an exemplary ebayer.

The competitors have an ear at trust and safety. Has anyone else encountered similar?

[GreenBean]

Competitors mixing it with T&S? they have BBQ together. Yep, the tales I could tell you are nasty.
But as bluemoon said, you enter a new phase now. You can beat ebay.

As for gotrusted secure, As a rule of thumb I do not advocate the usage of such programs unless you have an advanced degree in IT. I can detect you are using a proxy: you can bet your bottom dollar ebay does as well

[bluemoon999]

Thank you so very much for your quick reply. I am on overload with this situation because it's been my "income" for the last few years.

* Take a few days to learn and practice stealth would benefit you many years from now on. There is an old saying - No Pain No Gain. Just calm down first then look forward

I use the "gotrustedsecure" tunnel v2 which is supposedly blocking not only my IP address (and even shows the public ip address in the box when in use) but supposedly blocking my computer id IP. It costs $5.99 a month.

* After you read book, you can cancel this $5.99 service. With stealth, you do not need to block any IP. Show your IPs to them

<sigh>...I hate this dishonesty towards ebay but I've NEVER done a darn thing wrong and have been an exemplary ebayer.

* eBay is a black market, people sell both good and bad things, in another word, you can meet all kinds people up there. Holding a gun for self-protection does not equal to 'you are a bad guy'.

The competitors have an ear at trust and safety. Has anyone else encountered similar?

* These are the tricky things you are going to learn more from this forum. Read more threads, post specific questions, PM people for details.

[onceuponatime]

Thank you for your help. They JUST killed my friends paypal account TODAY because of what they say is a "link". I've ordered the Stealth Book just now and I hope it comes quickly because I'm extremely upset for myself and my friend. How in the world can they link our accounts as we have different addresses and info and I created (without Stealth) phone number and po box. I have this IP blocker as well and clean cookies all the time. I'm truly at my wits end here.

[lakeman]

Have you and your friend ever logged onto the others ones computer? If you have that will cause the link.

[TigerLord]

I'm terribly sorry for what has happened to you, I can relate, and even understand you must be angry. You have found the right place to get back to selling on eBay - and I venture you will find tips along the way for some payback. If you are like me and can appreciate tears and revenge, it's a dish best served cold for reasons that you will discover. Some will say revenge is petty, but I don't really care, scammers and abusers of the system must pay. However, your first priority is to get back to selling, pronto!

First, you'll need the eBay guide. The current guide has a lot of outdated info, so you will need to read the forums as well to be updated (and a new version will be released soon, to which you will have access for free as well). It's a good idea to get familiar with the system. Once you can answer all of these questions, you are halfway there:
- What does eBay track?
- Which method can I use to subvert all those tracking methods?
- How am I going to cash out?
- How will I make myself available to eBay's calls?
- Which address will I use?

When setting up stealth accounts at first you will be nervous and find the process perhaps a bit nerve-racking and unsecured. That's why you need to make many, and have backups, in case some of them fail, and it is likely some will be limited eventually.

Eventually you'll have a mental list of checkboxes to fill with a proper order of things to do to cover all your tracks. There are important things you need to do here:
- Keep a detailed spreadsheet of all your accounts. Track the MAC address you used for each (if applicable), the IP, if you used a VPN which provider was it, etc.
- Research the service providers you will use to get VCC, phone numbers, etc. Some are cheaper than others, you can save by looking a little and not subscribing to the first provider google provides.
- Be consistent. Have all the information figured out BEFORE you start the Paypal and eBay subscribing process. Use googlemap to find streets and addresses. Have the phone number ready and working. Have your VCC and bank account ready. THEN, only then, subscribe to Paypal, then eBay, and verify them both.
- Keep a phone number active on the accounts you use at least (no need to do it for accounts you're letting age) for the first 30-60 days. New accounts are open to more scrutiny.
- Might be a good idea to have a workaround to any potential SSN limitation you might have. There are certain alternatives. You'll need to search the forums a bit, but the info is here, well hidden. Whenever you are hit with a SSN limitation, you'll be able to get the account back within hours with good preparation and organization.

Don't burn any steps, mistakes are rarely forgiven in eBay's lalaland. We, however, are very forgiving and we'll do our best to help you get back on track!

Best of luck to you!

[GreenBean]

Bravo,TigerLord. I salute a fellow warrior

Laissez les bontemps rouler!

[onceuponatime]

Tigerlord and the rest...THANK YOU.

I've been reading the stealth ebook and it sounds brilliant. However, I do have a few questions which I'm hoping you "veterans" can help me with.

1. The last time that I used my friends ebay/paypal account, paypal asked for a PHOTO ID to verify, i.e., a drivers lisc which we faxed them. How do you get around that?

2. They (paypal) also asked for a utility bill etc as verification in the first week. How do you get around that?

I realized on my own about the bank account, credit card (debit card) etc and that is why I got a new cell phone, opened a bank account and PO Box for them when we opened the account. But, I don't see getting around providing a photo ID (new thing they do) and a utility bill in that persons name if you create a name.

How has anyone else gotten around this. I'm talking about paypal not ebay. And, one last question, if you sweep the paypal funds to the bank account, will your bank accept it if in another name. You can't get the paypal debit card now for 60 days after you start.

By the way, I called my ISP Cable company and although they state their IP is DYNAMIC, it's only because they "contract" with someone for a few months at a time, and, when the "lease" runs out the IP changes. So, what it really means is that the IP is STATIC during the time of the lease but DYNAMIC when the lease expires. Since I hate dial up, so do I go with AOL to access Firefox or do I stick with my IP blocker company which is not in my state.

As you can see, I'm READING IT ALL...and trying to absorb.

Thank you ALL for your input. You're great.

[GreenBean]

once'
when the request comes for the documents, you supply them after special preparations Not a problem to do at all. PM me if you want more details.

As for the IP blocker, I mentioned B4 it is a very bad idea. Now there is a specific section here about IPs. ( I think you may have posted there?)
That's the place to ask in detail about what to do. Once you get the basics explained and why we do what we do, you'll be fine

[Stealth Man]

Forget about international shipping. Thats where your problem started. If you continue doing it you will still be open to the exact same scam. New accounts are targeted way more than experienced savvy. But hey, its your 4000 dollars at risk.

[veggiegymrat]

once, regarding the IP info, the easiest thing for you to do is get a wireless router and change the MAC address for each account. That will renew your IP address-doesn't matter what your ISP says as long as they verified with you that it's dynamic. There is a WONDERFUL step by step post on the forums regarding changing IP addresses with a wireless router. I have a linksys and it's very easy and takes 30 seconds each switch.