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tictictic_OnEbay
(enthusiast)
10/07/07 07:09 PM
I-V-O-R-Y  

I tried to list an antique carved dragon tonight and got an error. Something about using a bad word or violating an eBay policy. I had noted in the description that the dragon's eyes may be ivory (they most likely are ivory, but I didn't say for sure). So I changed the word to i vory (with the space). EBay wasn't fooled. Got the same error. So I changed it to "a substance like elephant tusk" and the listing went through (I wonder if I can get away with revising it back to ivory). I wish I knew what sort of variations on the word would have been ok -- i v o r y? eyevory? Of course, they wouldn't come up in searches.

So we are not allowed to use the word IVORY at all??? Ivory is also a color, for pete's sake!

Right now, there are 24,054 auctions with ivory in the title and 83,949 with it in the description (5264 are in the Antiques category).

Has anyone else run into this listing prohibition? Do you think eBay randomly looks for certain verboten words in submitted Lots? I thought you could list eBay-illegal things, and then just keep your fingers crossed that no one reported you. A few years ago, I listed a book by Hitler (a really good copy, in German, with interesting extras) and got shut down. I still have that damn book. Recently, I discovered the exact same book (in German, without the extras!) on eBay, and it sold for over $200.00. How come some people can get away with breaking the rules?

Sue



AquilaStamps
(enthusiast)
10/07/07 09:02 PM
Re: I-V-O-R-Y new [re: tictictic_OnEbay]  

Sue:
There are some mysteries of eBay that aren't for us mortals to figure out. . I had something similar happen to me a few weeks ago. I listed a set of stamps from Sweden that originally were sold by the post office and a portion went to charity. I used the stamp collector term Semi-Postal in the description and also used the word charity. Well eBay shut down the auction and sent me a message telling me I would not be allowed to post on eBay if I continued collecting for Charity without registering with them. After several emails back and forth to eBay they finally understood that I wasn't collecting for charity. However, they told me to use a different word in the future as they could shut down another auction where the word "charity" appeared. So I'm not sure about I V O R Y. I know that it is not legal in some cases to deal in ivory without a license and it is possible that those who have listed have a license. And how in the world does one describe an off white Ivory colored item? Geeze. As far as the Hitler book goes I'm not sure why you had problems other than on the eBay Germany site. As I understand it eBay items related to Hitler are not allowed there. However, I have listed stamps that have the word Hitler in the description and those auctions were not taken down. I didn't put the word in quotes or in all caps or anything just typed it normally. So maybe it is the luck of the draw of how the auction is or isn't viewed by the eBay spider. I would try listing the book again and see what happens. You might want to email them and give reference to the auction that sold with the book and explain your situation and see what they say.

Good luck

Garry



tictictic_OnEbay
(enthusiast)
10/07/07 10:10 PM
Re: I-V-O-R-Y new [re: AquilaStamps]  

Well, I was able to revise the auction and go back to the word IVORY, but I had to eliminate the international shipping. Apparently, we can sell ivory to our countrymen, but not to our foreign neighbors. Odd.

When they shut down the Hitler book, the email said it was because it was entirely in the German language. Now after tonight, I bet the real reason was what you said about the German site. I probably had it listed for worldwide shipping. I'll try it again with US shipping only. Thanks for the tips Garry.

Sue



tictictic_OnEbay
(enthusiast)
10/07/07 10:38 PM
Re: I-V-O-R-Y new [re: AquilaStamps]  

By the way, that's hilarious about their reaction to the word charity. But so ridiculous that you had to defend it and take time to do so. They try to take judgment out of everything, like all the zero-tolerance rules. Make a policy, stick to it doggedly, stop thinking, none of that dangerous decision-making. A very bad trend.

Sue



AquilaStamps
(enthusiast)
10/07/07 10:39 PM
Re: I-V-O-R-Y new [re: tictictic_OnEbay]  

Sue:
No problem glad I was able to offer some help. I bet that if you select countries for shipping and exclude Germany it may list for you without any problem. I'm sure US and Asia and South America etc would work - I think you can select parts of Europe also. Hope it works out OK for you - it sounds as if you have a good book available to sell. Need to keep fingers crossed that listing it without Germany works.

Garry



AquilaStamps
(enthusiast)
10/07/07 10:45 PM
Re: I-V-O-R-Y new [re: tictictic_OnEbay]  

Sue:

It took several emails to get them to understand that I wasn't scamming with a fake charity. Also an opening bid of 5.00 really wasn't going to get me set up on the gravy train for life.

I think what you said is right and it is getting worse in some areas. It may very well be the reaction of a corporation that has gotten away from itself. eBay has grown in leaps and bounds and with each leap it seems to have lost some of the care and concern for the seller. Their policies have been made in reaction to an event rather than to prevent an event. I hope that makes sense. What I have seen over the years is a general decline in understanding on the part of eBay. I can only hope that if we hold on long enough they will be able to return to policy that allows for interpretation rather than blindly following it word for word without thinking.



bluepennylady
(Pooh-Bah)
10/08/07 09:24 AM
Re: I-V-O-R-Y new [re: tictictic_OnEbay]  

Sue,

My I take off for a few days and everything under the sun happens.

I discovered knives cannot be listed if you offer International shipping as well. Once domestic only shipping is offered. Goes right through.



Judy/blue

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http://stores.ebay.com/bluepennylady?refid=store

tictictic_OnEbay
(enthusiast)
10/08/07 10:03 AM
Re: I-V-O-R-Y new [re: bluepennylady]  

Well, I guess it's some sort of import-export issue that eBay has little control over. If you ever have time on your hands, go to the USPS online rate calculator and select countries at random. Continue to the rates page, then click to view the "Rate charts and complete information for......." Some countries' prohibitions are funny and at the same time ominous ("Extravagant clothes and other articles contrary to Albanians’ taste"), and others are just puzzling (India reserves the right to charge duties on "almanacs in sheets or in cards....as well as waste paper and old newspaper for packing....").

Sue



bluepennylady
(Pooh-Bah)
10/08/07 11:27 AM
Re: I-V-O-R-Y new [re: tictictic_OnEbay]  

Sue,

Now that is odd indeed. Clothing contrary to taste! Whose taste I wonder.

Boy I am glad I live in America!



Judy/blue

Visit my eBay store!
http://stores.ebay.com/bluepennylady?refid=store

tictictic_OnEbay
(enthusiast)
10/12/07 04:27 PM
Re: I-V-O-R-Y (Nazi item update) new [re: tictictic_OnEbay]  

Well, I got the little monster's book listed. Loads of visits in just 10 hours, so I have high hopes. It's listed as shipping to "The Americas", so I guess as long as Europe isn't on the ship-to list, there's no problem.

Sue



bluepennylady
(Pooh-Bah)
10/12/07 07:05 PM
Re: I-V-O-R-Y (Nazi item update) new [re: tictictic_OnEbay]  

Sue,

Now where did you find the "no ship to" countries at the USPS again?


Judy/blue

Visit my eBay store!
http://stores.ebay.com/bluepennylady?refid=store

tictictic_OnEbay
(enthusiast)
10/12/07 07:20 PM
Re: I-V-O-R-Y (Nazi item update) new [re: bluepennylady]  

You mean that list of countries suspended from Click-N-Ship? I didn't find it at USPS. It was in an email they sent in reply to my inquiry (if you Google on something like suspended "click n ship" countries, the list shows up on a couple non-USPS sites). As far as I know, the list is not published on the USPS site. I've gotten a little more info in the last couple days. I've been told there was a "police action" involving fraud allegations a few weeks ago, and these countries were suspended from Click-N-Ship services only (so you can't get the 5% discount for online labels). You can still ship to them, and if you want to buy postage online, USPS suggests Endicia or PCPostage.

Here's the list:

Russia, Ukraine, Nigeria, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan Kampuchea (Cambodia), Kampuchea, Latvia, Turkmenistan, Moldova, Armenia, Belarus, Lithuania, Benin, Serbia-Montenegro, Ghana, and South-West Africa.

As yet, no one has explained exactly what kind of fraud has been perpetrated by people who receive Click-N-Ship labels in these countries. My Latvian buyer received his package and left nice Feedback, so everything is honky-dory.

Sue



bluepennylady
(Pooh-Bah)
10/12/07 07:45 PM
Re: I-V-O-R-Y (Nazi item update) new [re: tictictic_OnEbay]  

Sue,

Well no wonder I couldn't find the info at the USPS site. But you know, it really should be something they provide.

hey that is good news your buyer got his package.

Thanks for taking the time to post all those countries!!

Judy/blue

Visit my eBay store!
http://stores.ebay.com/bluepennylady?refid=store

AquilaStamps
(addict)
10/12/07 08:39 PM
Re: I-V-O-R-Y (Nazi item update) new [re: tictictic_OnEbay]  

Sue:

Good for you. Sounds as if there is lots of interest already. Hope that it goes through the roof for you. Keeping fingeres crossed here for you. Go get 'em - there's more than one way to sell on eBay

Garry



Ned
(member)
12/05/07 07:57 AM
Re: I-V-O-R-Y (Nazi item update) new [re: AquilaStamps]  

Here's another eBay oddness: I listed a US military packing case, possibly intended to be used as a field office. It's just a box, folks, not a weapon or insignia. Listing went OK, but then I couldn't see my own listing in my browser. I was logged onto eBay through eBay.com, and am US-based.

After dealing with eBay support (grumble, grumble), I discovered that since I had listed German and French as acceptable languages in my browser, eBay would not show listings that violated French or German law. I know it sounds odd, but as soon as I deleted the other languages from my browser preferences and restarted, I could see my listing.

If eBay has to choose between being hauled into court by a government on the one hand and upsetting you on the other, you know which one they have to choose.

Nonetheless, it's a PITA for anyone who is multilingual (or at least can stumble through a website in another language). The more languages you're willing to cope with, the more restrictions eBay will place on what you can see.

Ned




bluepennylady
(Pooh-Bah)
12/05/07 08:33 AM
Re: I-V-O-R-Y (Nazi item update) new [re: Ned]  

Ned,

You have got to be kidding. Just because you have more than one language pack on your browser?? Now that is completely odd..... I am glad you got it figured out. And thanks for taking the time to post what you found out.

That was a pain for you. But your experience will be real helpful for the rest of us....



Judy/blue

Visit my eBay store!
http://stores.ebay.com/bluepennylady?refid=store
Visit our website too!
http://www.pennyworthsales.com

AquilaStamps
(addict)
12/12/07 05:39 AM
Re: I-V-O-R-Y (Nazi item update) new [re: Ned]  

Ned:
That is a twilight zone experience. I agree with your assessment - eBay often seems to choose the least obvious method. It appears that it is better for them to choose the option that will upset the seller.

Have you considered using Firefox for checking your eBay lots that "don't show" so you do not have to take off the language preferences. I have a barebones FireFox installation on another 'puter that I use when I'm having problems doing something in IE. It often helps solve the problem.

Thanks for the info.

Garry



Ned
(member)
12/12/07 06:33 AM
Re: I-V-O-R-Y (Nazi item update) new [re: AquilaStamps]  

Garry--

I use Firefox and only Firefox unless forced by an incompetent website to use IE. I've also got Opera and IE7 just to see how things look. And Firefox and Konqueror on Linux.

Incidentally, the Firefox IETab add-on, which allows Firefox to display a particular page using IE, is very convenient. You can shift browser engines on the fly if a new site doesn't look right, or mark a particular site so that FF always displays it using the IE engine. Pretty cool.

The idea of a vanilla browser to check websites is a good one.

Merry Christmas,
Ned







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