Restricted - 1000+ Fb Power Seller

[Bobby Dazzla]

Hi All,

I am hoping you can help me as I have been recently suspended MC008 code.

I will fill you in on some background details that may help out.

The account that was suspended is nearly 10 years old and over the years I have had minimal issues with the odd VERO issue but nothing major.

Then all of a sudden 2 account I have been using have been restricted but with no real reason why, just the general email in regards to protecting the community and to appeal follow the link in eBay etc.

I called up EB last week and spoke to some guy in the US I am guessing and looked into it and said it was because of a link to an account that was suspended 3 years ago???

Now from my research it would appear that the account will not be coming back to life?
The main account restricted still has all auctions and listings live but once ended they are not auto starting again as I assumed.

I have read the book and know what steps to take in setting up new accounts but the problem and it is a massive problem is that my Brother and I have been selling decent volumes on this account and all 100% legit NON risky very items and averaging $10-15k per month.
We had planned to take the EB business full time later this year and has setup a business name, registered for GST etc and now this massive set back.

My worry is that we have so much stock on the way from China that with new accounts it will take for ever to raise selling limits etc.

We have both have PP accounts and also 1 business PP account that are still being used and have so over the years on other accounts. This accounts are still working 100% but are they now useless as it is not easy to setup a business account as we had to provide plenty of docs to them.

I also have one other Eb account that is unaffected but do you guys think this will be taken down soon?

Sorry for the long post and I Thank anyone for their assistance in advance

[rsot]

Welcome to the forums. All the best as you read around and contribute.

I also have one other Eb account that is unaffected but do you guys think this will be taken down soon?

Is it LINKED? I mean same info or shared cookies or...? If so, while not 100% certain, there is a CHANCE that it will go down.

[Halada]

Dear Bobby,

Sorry this happened to you. I am going through a similar predicament, but with Amazon. I was averaging 20k/month in sale and was suddenly suspended. Getting back on Amazon is incredibly more difficult, so count your blessings you only have to deal with eBay.

If your principal account is closed (one that used your real name, etc.) you will now have to deal with eBay using stealth accounts.

As you said, the issue will be selling limits, so you will be forced to sell using multiple accounts for a while. It sounds worse than it actually is.

I would get the following to get back on track quickly:
-Open a VoIP.ms account so you can easily add DID (phone numbers) for phone verifications
-Get 2 or 3 VPN accounts (OpenVPN preferred) from different providers that have servers in more countries than just the US (I use StrongVPN ($$$), SwitchVPN ($) and ExpressVPN ($$))
-Download VMware Player to create virtual machines to ensure total separation of cookies and tracking information
-Though it was never confirmed eBay tracks MAC addresses like Amazon do, it doesn't hurt to change your router's MAC address at least once.
-Call your bank as soon as possible and ask to open 2 or 3 new bank accounts. If they ask why, I tell them it's to better manage my money by separating my income.

This is your initial setup. After that, you can create 2-3 accounts and start selling slowly. You really must use patience and go slow. I know you'll take a huge revenue hit and we tend to panic when we get such messages, but you need to be smart about this.
If you panic and go to fast, you'll slip and make mistakes. It'll cost you more in the long run.

Make a proper Excel sheet that lists ALL account info, including VCC used, which VPN account you use, which virtual machine you use for that account, secret questions, etc.
I usually keep that excel sheet on a cloud based service (like dropbox) and password protect the file, so I can access it from anywhere should I need to fetch the information quickly.

At this point, you need to accept your plans of going full time next year will be pushed back, and that you won't be able to do it the simply and easy way. Many of us came back from having our main account banned or suspended and we are still here, years later, earning a very comfortable living because of eBay and Amazon.

If we can help, ask!

[they_screwed_me_too]

can i ask an obvious question ? how can you do $10-15k per month and only have 1000 feedback in ten years ?

[baloch]

can i ask an obvious question ? how can you do $10-15k per month and only have 1000 feedback in ten years ?

I think he means recently. Over the years he probably did a few sells here and there.

Sorry for the long post and I Thank anyone for their assistance in advance

No problem. Everybody gets hit hard sometimes but it is better to reflect make changes and start anew.
It seems you already know how to create new accounts and start fresh.

The inventory that you will be receiving will not be cleared quickly through ebay so You will need to find other methods to selling them offline such as selling to small shops or selling in bulk to classifieds.

Good Luck

[Bobby Dazzla]

Thanks very much for the replies guys.

rsot - Yes they will be linked for sure as I was not operating stealth as I had not moved into the grey area for years.
I will sell on that account and just keep in my mind it will not be long before it gets taken down.

Halada - Thanks for the info! I think at this point I have realized that this is the process that will need to happen and most certainly a pain but not other choice really.
I will start on the new identity's asap.

They screwed me too - Yes for many years had only bought and sold a few items, only over the last 6 months had we ramped things right up and were just about to push to the next level where we would have been looking at approx 10k per week in sales.

Baloch - You are right about the inventory it will take longer to clear but I guess this is also a good business lesson in not putting all your eggs in one basket.

Some questions for you guys -

My Paypal is working find with no limitations etc. I will mention I have had a couple of EB accounts suspended many years ago and this had no effect on my Paypal.
Are my Paypal accounts as good as useless now? Including the 2 personal and 1 business?
I know I can work around the eBay side with multiple accounts but I see Paypal as the biggest worry especially when they are the holding house for the cash.

Is it worth buying the pre setup accounts? Has anyone done this in Aus? Or this this purely a time saver?
If I could buy pre setup selling accounts with minimal limits I would most certainty do that.

Are there any high volume sellers from Australia here that can chime in with some more detailed banking/paypal info?

Thanks in advance.

[UnderBites08]

Originally Posted by Halada

Dear Bobby,

Sorry this happened to you. I am going through a similar predicament, but with Amazon. I was averaging 20k/month in sale and was suddenly suspended. Getting back on Amazon is incredibly more difficult, so count your blessings you only have to deal with eBay.

If your principal account is closed (one that used your real name, etc.) you will now have to deal with eBay using stealth accounts.

As you said, the issue will be selling limits, so you will be forced to sell using multiple accounts for a while. It sounds worse than it actually is.

I would get the following to get back on track quickly:
-Open a VoIP.ms account so you can easily add DID (phone numbers) for phone verifications
-Get 2 or 3 VPN accounts (OpenVPN preferred) from different providers that have servers in more countries than just the US (I use StrongVPN ($$$), SwitchVPN ($) and ExpressVPN ($$))
-Download VMware Player to create virtual machines to ensure total separation of cookies and tracking information
-Though it was never confirmed eBay tracks MAC addresses like Amazon do, it doesn't hurt to change your router's MAC address at least once.
-Call your bank as soon as possible and ask to open 2 or 3 new bank accounts. If they ask why, I tell them it's to better manage my money by separating my income.

This is your initial setup. After that, you can create 2-3 accounts and start selling slowly. You really must use patience and go slow. I know you'll take a huge revenue hit and we tend to panic when we get such messages, but you need to be smart about this.
If you panic and go to fast, you'll slip and make mistakes. It'll cost you more in the long run.

Make a proper Excel sheet that lists ALL account info, including VCC used, which VPN account you use, which virtual machine you use for that account, secret questions, etc.
I usually keep that excel sheet on a cloud based service (like dropbox) and password protect the file, so I can access it from anywhere should I need to fetch the information quickly.

At this point, you need to accept your plans of going full time next year will be pushed back, and that you won't be able to do it the simply and easy way. Many of us came back from having our main account banned or suspended and we are still here, years later, earning a very comfortable living because of eBay and Amazon.

If we can help, ask!

Vpn's have been known to give a lot of problems. Try to avoid them at all costs.

[Gamefreak]

you can try to buy a high volume account. There are stores on ebay being sold for few grand might worth to make the investment with those type of sales.

[Halada]

Originally Posted by UnderBites08

Vpn's have been known to give a lot of problems. Try to avoid them at all costs.

I have used VPNs for years without issue.

So long they're Static IP (most OpenVPN packages are) and match the geolocation of the address I provided, there is no reason to fear issues. VPN allows me to have accounts with addresses all over Canada or the US, even though I am in West Canada. I believe you're mixing up proxies and VPNs... they're not the same at all.

If you don't use VPNs, you're limited to your local ISPs and their IP ranges. IP provides a lot more than geolocation: it also provides host and ISP names.

eBay, PP and Amazon are not stupid. If they see 8 accounts in the same city with the same hosts selling almost the same items, they'll be on to you even if the IP addresses are slightly different. On the other hand, if they see sellers in Vacouver, Halifax, Toronto and New York City, and the IPs and phone numbers match the addresses provided, you are much less likely to get caught.

Been working for me fine.

[GreenBean]

As advice directed to a Australian user the recommendation of a VPN is pointless.

It constitues poor advice. You appear to have no knowledge of the ISP situation here.

[Halada]

VPN really have nothing to do with your ISP unless you live in China, and even then.

Why exactly is it bad advice?

[GreenBean]

I used no such term.

Re-read the post.

[Halada]

You said "You appear to have no knowledge of the ISP situation here", so I took this to mean your choice of ISP somehow prevented you from using VPNs.

He could setup accounts in Canada and use a VPN to get a Canadian IP, the rest is easy, and simply specify ship from location is Australia. This was the example I had in mind. My brother has been doing it for three years.

It can widen the horizons, or it can be a good temporary fix while resetting local operations up slowly.

[GreenBean]

So now you are telling a stealth newcomer to set up overseas accounts using VPNs until he gets going in Australia?

You get better.

Sorry that's poor advice again

Still the OP can pick his own way to lose accounts

[Bobby Dazzla]

Thanks guys.

Do any of you have experience with Optus or Telstra tethering? I had a look on ip Burger and it seemed it changed my IP each time I turned 3G on and off but can anyone confirm?

In regards to Paypal is there any way around the $1000 limiting?

And is it a given Paypal will limit my account due to the link or is it more advised just do not link an old Paypal to a new ebay count to stop further suspensions?

[GreenBean]

Both of them have dynamic IPs.

Say you start again, and I dont know your specfics, pick the ISP not used on any accounts.
So if you are currently with BigPond then use Optus.

$1000 is the anti-money laudering limit.
Silly choice would be multiple accounts.
Realistic/sensible choice is creating accounts and meet the requirements.
If you are going to be a business there are certain factors involved.

A old paypal can ever be used on ebay again. Danger is linking

No OZ accounts are sold here by anyone.

[Bobby Dazzla]

Ok Guys just touching base in regards to my situation.

I have setup one new account in the Mrs name which she has no issues with, this should keep verification for Paypal etc all nice and easy.

I am on top of the separate user accounts, change IP every time I log into the new user account.

I am confident that I will be able to use this account with no issues but it is also not 100% stealth as it's a legitimate persons details.

My question is I obviously would like to create a few backup Eb and PP account in others names.

Now If I setup a new Paypal account and verify it straight away with the bank deposit method will they still limit this account at $1000 or where ever their blanket threshold is?

I searched for the forums and seen a post that mentioning that verifying will stop the limiting but the post was from 2007 so not sure if that still applies.

If they will limit then is it just a case of producing some docs? Although a rather grey area have any other Aussies successfully done this?

Also just to note I have various new bank accounts setup too so all good in that department.

Thanks in advance.

[SUVE]

I have setup one new account in the Mrs name which she has no issues with, this should keep verification for Paypal etc all nice and easy.

NOT a very good idea.- research more.

My question is I obviously would like to create a few backup Eb and PP account in others names.

NOT a good strategy using others *REAL* name's for what in effect are intended to be stealth operation of EB/PP A/C so far as you are concerned.

Now If I setup a new Paypal account and verify it straight away with the bank deposit method will they still limit this account at $1000 or where ever their blanket threshold is?

I do NOT know what the sending/receiving limits are for an Australian PP A/C (though GB has helpfully stated that $1000 is (anti-money laundering) limit & hence I *assume* to be the limit on the PP A/C but the PP A/C 'limited' feature can kick into effect for verified/confirmed PP A/C at any juncture.You also need to bear in mind that $1000 also risks a payment 'holds' on the PP A/C in addition to the PP limitations risk & $1000 limit.

I searched for the forums and seen a post that mentioning that verifying will stop the limiting but the post was from 2007 so not sure if that still applies.

This bit tells me you have some way to go in understanding the stealth process & procedures - there are major gaps in your comprehension of basic stealth operation. There are other routes GB mentioned as up above as well in relation to your question (s).

Good luck.

[Bobby Dazzla]

SUVE Thanks for the reply.

Just to clarify a few things.

My Mrs is not my wife just my partner so there is absolutely 0 cross linking in the situation.
Please explain to me why having it in the partners name is so bad?

If you could can you please outline the major gaps in my operation??

I have no listed everything I have done in regards to stealth operation but stated the tasks I have done so other members do not query these things.

I feel I have the eBay side under wraps just had a few queries on the Paypal side.
I am a high volume seller of generic products so operating with a $1000 limit is not going to work.
I understand things take time but If I can find the correct information now it will help me down the track.

Thanks.

[Bobby Dazzla]

Also when I said other names for backup accounts these will obviously not be "real" names.

[SUVE]

You've said:

I have setup one new account in the Mrs name which she has no issues with, this should keep verification for Paypal etc all nice and easy.I am confident that I will be able to use this account with no issues but it is also not 100% stealth as it's a legitimate persons details.

So you are using a legitimate persons details for your own use.....not a good idea to risk PP/EB blocking their details at some point down the line.

Also when I said other names for backup accounts these will obviously not be "real" names.

So why not employ this policy ('these will obviously not be "real" names') from the outset for that first account at the top then ???

I strongly recommend you use the search function on the board - the answers you are looking for are there -

[seanws30]

i see you are using the MRS's name, but you say she isnt your wife. do you 2 live together? if so, if you registered an account using her name, but YOUR address, you will be linked and go down in flames.

i may have missed where you covered the address portion but im ill and my brain isnt working at full capacity atm.