What are the odds this account is toast?

[vettefever17]

I am currently worried about an account I have had since 2018. The issue arises because the account dropped to "below standard." It hit 3/507 closed without seller resolution and 3/507 transaction defect.

The issue was 2 cases of items not received because the postal service lost them during the holidays. Those appeals were denied months ago. But recently, I had a buyer request a return that I approved the next day. He shipped the item. Fast forward roughly 15 days, and the postal service still has the item and has not returned it to me. The buyer forces a case, and it gets delayed until after the 4th of July, then to July 10th. I can no longer refund the buyer even when the package does come. It arrives after the holiday, and eBay sides with the buyer and finds me at fault.

So, how soon will this account be banned in today's enforcement? I appealed the defect because I honestly could not refund the buyer, and I did not have my item back. Hopefully, I do not get a village idiot that reviews the case, but I am leaning towards this account being destroyed.

[phaz0rz]

Unless the account is regularly having money problems, I don't think they're going to can you over this.


Seriously though, assuming they don't ban the account.. you should really step up your game. Figured you'd be way past the point of forcing eBay to resolve cases for you.

[murdered_by_ebay]

instead of breaking your head over a possible suspension just fix it by selling penny items

[rsot]

Originally Posted by murdered_by_ebay

instead of breaking your head over a possible suspension just fix it by selling penny items

Second this - pump up the metrics. Do you have backup accounts to transition big sales too in the meantime?

[mrsalexia]

I think you can only appeal defects within 60 or 90 days if its outside the timeframe they wont do anything

[agent006140]

But you did get the item back??

[phaz0rz]

Originally Posted by murdered_by_ebay

instead of breaking your head over a possible suspension just fix it by selling penny items

Only problem with this is that those sales would count towards next month's metrics.. so the account still has to sit below standard for a full month.

[vettefever17]

I had to go through two service agents for them to understand I was not at fault for the refund. The defect was removed.

What is frustrating during this process is that the first agent couldn't even comprehend English.

At the end of the day, I've realized I just have to take a loss on an item when it's stuck in shipping and dealing with eBay's timelines. My other two defects were from the holidays, with shipping delays, despite the customer later getting the item. After 30-60 days, your tracking number evaporates, so you can't appeal the defect; you just eat it.

[rsot]

At least partial success...lot of effort though and that's rough with the first agent

[Nimble]

They don't ban for going below standard, they just charge higher transaction fees. Your listings will also drop down in their search algorithm so its a hard climb back up. For future just take a hit to avoid going below standard.

[Enid Nathaniei]

Sounds like a frustrating situation, but one bad case usually won’t instantly kill a long-standing account—hopefully eBay considers the circumstances and removes the defect.

[solefoodbk]

Actually just had my account below standard and got them to manually update it, which I think was abnormal.

Best recommendation long term is find something you break even on, make a small profit, or if can handle a small loss. Reputation I’ve always held very important. Which you get easy 100s monthly if your items sell. However, you are able to also dilute sales with quick sale items. I sell something I make about $3-$4 on, unless multiple purchased shipping eats the profits.

Point being, being able to dilute your sales gets you guaranteed good metrics, Top Rated, and most importantly your based on 3 months not 12. It sounds like you’re in 12 months range.

Selling low profit items does increase my workload for not as much gain vs other things I sell but I view it now as the backbone for longevity.

And your account, likely at higher risk if additional INRC ensure you avoid them at all costs. IMO it’s the algo that changes and can possibly flag you for things you wouldn’t under normal conditions. Appears to be true for all marketplaces imo. It makes sense to as well because your just a number to them, and the algo doesn’t care about true context just rating, cases, and risk.

Primarily risk…

[phaz0rz]

Yeah, for sure. Primarily risk.

[rsot]

Originally Posted by Enid Nathaniei

Sounds like a frustrating situation, but one bad case usually won’t instantly kill a long-standing account—hopefully eBay considers the circumstances and removes the defect.

Can only hope so without understand the details of the account operation

[kirkland]

The account is fine for the long term, but toast for the short term. Below standard accounts never get any sales. Just let it sit for a year and use your other accounts, and come back when the defects have cycled out. You'll be TRS when you return (at least if you were prior to the defects) and you can start selling at a fairly regular rate. Have had this number on a number of accounts

[solefoodbk]

I watch a bunch of accounts who perform horribly and I know they must have 10%+ return rates, sub 99% feedback, really nasty reviews.

But they persist. I’m not sure but I think eBay relaxed their policies with the exception of high INRC.

If you have that plus below standard you heavily increase odds of a manual review. Because they perceive the risk of you not shipping and pocketing the money.

[kirkland]

Originally Posted by solefoodbk

I watch a bunch of accounts who perform horribly and I know they must have 10%+ return rates, sub 99% feedback, really nasty reviews.

But they persist. I’m not sure but I think eBay relaxed their policies with the exception of high INRC.

If you have that plus below standard you heavily increase odds of a manual review. Because they perceive the risk of you not shipping and pocketing the money.

Pretty sure I have a # of accounts that fit that criteria and they are all TRS accounts. With higher return rates ebay might impose a higher FVF but thats it, the feedback doesnt really affect anything

[vettefever17]

I am waiting till the 20th for a hard reset. The account is back to TRS, but the algo has it as below standard for search views.

Fun update: a delayed message gave me roughly 3 months to correct it, or action may be taken before the issue was taken care of. So, there is the line in the sand if any of you encounter this issue. Would they ban the account? You be the judge... It's eBay; they may toast it. I'm willing to bet it is based on the agent that you get.

[solefoodbk]

Originally Posted by vettefever17

I am waiting till the 20th for a hard reset. The account is back to TRS, but the algo has it as below standard for search views.

Fun update: a delayed message gave me roughly 3 months to correct it, or action may be taken before the issue was taken care of. So, there is the line in the sand if any of you encounter this issue. Would they ban the account? You be the judge... It's eBay; they may toast it. I'm willing to bet it is based on the agent that you get.

If you’re TRS for x amount of time (I don’t remember it) you get extended time to fix it, but only applies to certain metrics. Defects and late shipment don’t count.

My account was below standard and I got them to reset it. Which for me, was so key. I got a huge boost in sales this month so far, if I hadn’t fixed it, I’d be making a fraction of this.

I just think when accounts get these flags, it’s the algos that are the problem. It happens on Poshmark also. Get 2+ returns in a month and you’re likely to get listing removals, more problems etc.

And to the other point, I agree feedback doesn’t matter but if you’re hit with a MC011 chances of appealing lessen greatly. The accounts that get away with 98%-99% at scale usually have their own website and do 3k+ sales a month.