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tictictic_OnEbay
(enthusiast)
01/06/08 07:35 PM
Mature Audiences errors new  

I have this stag film from the '40s or '50s. Probably pretty tame by today's standards, but I have viewed only the first few yards with a magnifying glass and a lightbox. When I listed it recently in Videos, it got four fast bids (based, I suppose, on its title which is suggestive but uses no profanity), then eBay pulled it saying it violated their category policy (I sent them a treatise on how it shouldn't be relegated to Mature Audiences, especially since all I show is the film reel).

Anyway, I tried to list it in MA tonight but got a series of errors. On the first attempt without changing anything but the category, AW offered to display the error, but when I clicked to view it, I got nothing. I tried again and got another error saying Paypal is no longer available for this item (can't offer Paypal, apparently). I omitted the Paypal option and got another error: "The item cannot be listed or modified. The title and/or description may contain improper words, or the listing or seller may be in violation of eBay policy." I then deleted the old auction ID and tried again without the Paypal option checked but got the same error. And I got it again when I tried it with only US shipping checked.

Is eBay able to block me from listing anything in the MA category? I'm beginning to wonder if they are rejecting this listing because I said I hadn't view the film -- don't know how nasty it might actually be. But the computer wouldn't know that, especially since I deleted the original ID.

So does anyone know why I can't list this item?

Thanks, Sue



bluepennylady
(Pooh-Bah)
01/06/08 07:45 PM
Re: Mature Audiences errors new [re: tictictic_OnEbay]  

Sue,

Have you changed Listing templates lately? If so, go back and double check the payment options offered as some of the listing templates have "Billpoint" and "Billpoint" must be deleted.

Paypal cannot be used to pay for an Mature Audience product. And Mature Audience items are anything that cannot be purchased by a minor (18 and under). You also cannot offer International shipping for mature Audience listings. So if you have any International shipping, you will have to remove those.

You might change the auction title line a tad and see if the listing will go through.

Does that help?

Judy/blue

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tictictic_OnEbay
(enthusiast)
01/06/08 08:51 PM
Re: Mature Audiences errors new [re: bluepennylady]  

In reply to:

Have you changed Listing templates lately? If so, go back and double check the payment options offered as some of the listing templates have "Billpoint" and "Billpoint" must be deleted.


I'm just using one of my own, ordinary templates (no HTML). I've never used Billpoint.


In reply to:

Paypal cannot be used ....cannot offer International shipping for mature Audience listings.


I already removed both those things but still got errors.


In reply to:

You might change the auction title line a tad and see if the listing will go through.


I think I'll do some experimenting with the title. I can always revise it later to make it more like original.

Thanks, Sue



bluepennylady
(Pooh-Bah)
01/06/08 09:04 PM
Re: Mature Audiences errors new [re: tictictic_OnEbay]  

Sue,

hummm, there has to be something or you wouldn't keep getting error messages. It would be so good if eBay would just tell you precisely what the problem is instead of the generic message.

I'll give it some more thought and see if this pea brain of mine can think of anything else.

Let me know if revising the Auction Title line helps.


Judy/blue

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tictictic_OnEbay
(enthusiast)
01/06/08 09:06 PM
Re: Mature Audiences errors new [re: tictictic_OnEbay]  

Success! All I did this time was change the title just a little (didn't omit any words; added Title: and then wrote the same title). Also removed the words "don't know how hard core it is" and replaced them with ".....how X-rated it is," and this time no errors. Who knows???

I also wonder if a seller gets locked out for a period of time if you attempt repeatedly to list something that raises a red flag on their computers, same as you might if you tried to log in using guessed-at passwords at some sites. Maybe all I had to do was wait an hour or something.

Sue



tictictic_OnEbay
(enthusiast)
01/06/08 09:21 PM
Re: Mature Audiences errors new [re: bluepennylady]  

In reply to:

It would be so good if eBay would just tell you precisely what the problem is instead of the generic message.


So true! This is an interesting topic. Ebay as moral standard-bearer. What a joke! You never know if your auction got scrutinized because someone complained, or if some young, eBay block captain was "doing their job."

When they pulled the first auction, I ran a search and found an auction for a book about the history of stag films. Showed only the cover. One could assume the interior of the book would have photos of naked people engaged in sex acts. My film showed only the reel (book cover) and you might assume the "interior" of the film showed people in the same activities. The title of my movie uses two words that are ordinary nouns -- one is synonymous with dampness, the other with rigidity. Neither word by itself would raise an eyebrow, but together, the words are very suggestive. So eBay's action was based on very subjective criteria and could be seen as singling me out. It's a wonder they don't get sued more often.

Sue



bluepennylady
(Pooh-Bah)
01/06/08 09:39 PM
Re: Mature Audiences errors new [re: tictictic_OnEbay]  

Sue,

That is excellent news! Glad that worked!



Judy/blue

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bluepennylady
(Pooh-Bah)
01/07/08 06:43 AM
Re: Mature Audiences errors new [re: tictictic_OnEbay]  

Sue,

Just this past week I made an inquiry to Trust and Safety concerning a disposable medical item. It can be obtained without a prescription most anywhere. but I wanted to check and be sure it would be okay to list it.

The response from Trust and Safety,,,they cannot tell me if it is restricted or prohibited until after it is listed. Even though I sent all the information. Another seller has one listed which I sent a link to the auction. The auction is still up and running.

But I found it really strange that the people who pull auctions cannot tell me prior to listing if the items is acceptable or not. and I emailed back and probably said more than I should have. I could be in trouble before it is even listed now



Judy/blue

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Ned
(member)
01/07/08 07:43 AM
Re: Mature Audiences errors new [re: bluepennylady]  

"The response from Trust and Safety,,,they cannot tell me if it is restricted or prohibited until after it is listed."

What this tells me is that 1) "Trust and Safety" (or at least the ones who answer emails) are not the people who actually pull the auctions, and 2) the rules are (undefined, murky, made up as they go along, matter of taste, capricious -- take your choice).

Happy New Year, everyone.

Ned




bluepennylady
(Pooh-Bah)
01/07/08 07:52 AM
Re: Mature Audiences errors new [re: Ned]  

Ned,

That is the same conclusion I came to and welll, I sort of said something along those lines when I replied back to their email.

When I called the Power Seller help line, Trust and Safety is who they said was responsible for making that decision. They provided contact information. Along with a Trust and safety can assist you. "Assisting" was the last thing they did.



Judy/blue

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


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