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Deciphering the Rules on eBay UK

by Suzanne on August 19th, 2008

I received this email from a US seller who sells items on eBay UK.

“Tell your readers to be careful listing items on the eBay UK. This week my listing for (an over the counter medicine) was ended as it is a prohibited prescription item on eBay UK. I didn’t realize that because about 25 other US sellers offer it, too. I am confused as to why so many other sellers can offer it and their listings aren’t removed. If you have ever read the eBay UK help section on Prohibited and Restricted Items, you will agree that the verbiage is rather vague and cryptic. So, I emailed eBay UK to get to the bottom of the issue. Here is their response:

‘Please note that our prohibited items policies cover tens of thousands of products and auctions are listed continuously. By the time we remove a prohibited item, a new prohibited item is listed. Therefore, at any given time, you may see prohibited items listed on eBay, but it does not mean they are allowed. You may ask eBay UK before you list an item. However, as a rule of thumb, if the drug comes in large quantities, it’s almost always pharmacy licensed in the UK and not allowed to be sold on eBay UK.’

In other words, the members have to police each other. But there is a little more to it. Competition is brutal on eBay UK. Rather than lowering their price to beat their competitors, some sellers play dirty and examine other sellers’ listings with a microscope to find something petty to report. Unfortunate that some sellers cannot exist on their own merits, they must attack other sellers in order to stay in business. Warn your readers that if they get involved on eBay UK, they will be in for a territorial fight. Don’t ever assume that because a seller has an item listed that is is allowed. The ones who have been there know what is not allowed, and they get a rush out of reporting the new sellers.

As for me, I will continue to mind my business and run my store as best I can. I don’t have time to be the eBay police, and frankly, have better things to do than to sit around reporting violations all day. I’d rather be listing new items, doing more research, and serving the customers who want to buy from me.

Thanks for your blog, so many good ideas!”

V.A. Taylor, eBay Power Seller

[Image Source: Flickr]

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POSTED IN: Uncategorized, eBay Commentary