Why does eBay make it difficult to be an honest seller??

AskRaq

I couldn't find the previous thread by someone who got their listing cancelled for using the term "like" (as in proof like I think?) in the title.

I just got a listing (with bids) cancelled... and the similar listings I have cannot have the title changed because they have bids.

Now, here's my point - I'm selling an novelty type product: an AT GW $1 coin... (I know, quit rolling your eyes) but I tried to be clear in the title by putting "-Not ERROR" so that I don't end up with someone bidding right off the bat before fully reading the listing.

My other problem is that if I leave that info out of the title, viewers are either going to think I'm a scammer, or they might bid in ignorance.

I have no way of contacting the bidders in the cancelled auction when I relist, because there is no longer any record of the auction.
Really quite aggravating...

According to eBay, you cannot use these words in the auction title, as they are considered 'keyword spamming'?!:
- Like
- Style
- Not
- Inspired by
- Similar to
- Better than
- As worn by
- The brand name followed by a question mark -- for example, "Chanel?"

TomB

You probably were reported for keyword spamming since the title of your auction contained the term "error" when it was not applicable to the auction.

Zoins

I don't know about "-Not ERROR" with the - but I can see how "Not ERROR" would be considered keyword spamming.

Is telling people your GW$ isn't an error really a public service?

lathmach

Simple solution.
Stop AT'ing the GW Dollars.

Ray

pharmer

Maybe they consider "honest" to be saying what something is, not what it isn't?

AskRaq

<< <i>Is telling people your GW$ isn't an error really a public service? >>



Well, considering how quickly the first two "flew off the shelf" before I changed the listings, Yes.
See previous thread: Buy It Now problems...

Zoins

Does your auction title or description give potential bidders any reason to think the coin is an error?

ziggy29

I can see how that would be seen as keyword spamming. I could also see how that might not have been your intent.

You could bold face it in the description and in a huge font say "THIS IS NOT AN ERROR COIN," and that's cool. It's just putting it in the subject line that's a no-no.

basestealer

I listed a bunch of "NOT ERROR WASHINGTON DOLLARS", ebay knew about the listings and didn't touch them, even after the rule change when they banned all use of "error" when describing the upside down edge lettering. I also AT'd the Washington dollars. You sound like my twin!

AskRaq

<< <i>Does your auction title or description give potential bidders any reason to think the coin is an error? >>



I didn't think so... but I soon found out different when I had to convince a buyer (with 5 emails) to keep his money.

Russ

<< <i>You probably were reported for keyword spamming since the title of your auction contained the term "error" >>



And rightly so.

Russ, NCNE

ttown

I guess they don't like ya It's their sandbox and they'll do what they want.

AskRaq

I just find it strange that it was pulled for the use of "NOT".... in the 'not error' (as per eBay) when it wouldn't be pulled if I just put "ERROR?" and acted all ignorant??

ttown

maybe you should try non-error?

Zoins

<< <i>I just find it strange that it was pulled for the use of "NOT".... in the 'not error' (as per eBay) when it wouldn't be pulled if I just put "ERROR?" and acted all ignorant?? >>

"Not" is considered an accessory to keyword spamming because it allows the seller to use a word in the title, "error" in this case, that doesn't apply to the item.

If someone is doing a search on "error" do you really think they want they search results full of items that say "not error"?

AskRaq

<< <i>maybe you should try non-error? >>



Thank you ttown, I appreciate a suggestion that should have been obvious (but wasn't).

Russ

<< <i>I just find it strange that it was pulled for the use of "NOT".... in the 'not error' (as per eBay) when it wouldn't be pulled if I just put "ERROR?" and acted all ignorant?? >>



eBay added that because the word "not" doesn't prevent bidders who happen to be searching on hot key words - like "error" for example - from landing on your auction. Regardless of intent, it is keyword spamming.

Russ, NCNE

mrpotatoheadd

I'd think you'd be better off using the limited amount of space in the title to describe what the item you're selling is instead of what it's not.

LALASD4

I think they just delete auctions at random or someone don't like you and reported you, you could have the same wording on different auctions and they would cancel one but not the other.

Zoins

What is the description for your ATed GW$?

If you said "Artificially Toned" do you think people would still think it's an error coin?

fc

ugh, why support this seller? it sounds to me he/she is messing with
coins by coloring them and trying to make a profit.

just what the coin hobby does not need.

gender? i guess i assume everyone is male until proven otherwise?
i did not read anywhere the poster is female.. maybe i am misunderstanding.

i just do not like the idea of coloring coins for profit..
soon it will be stripping them back to white and around and
around we go until we have few original pieces left...

pharmer

<< <i>ugh, why support this seller? it sounds to me he is messing with
coins by coloring them and trying to make a profit.

just what the coin hobby does not need. >>



I think you have the gender wrong?

AskRaq

<< <i>If you said "Artificially Toned" do you think people would still think it's an error coin? >>



Most people - no.
But, in a 55 character title (including spaces) "artificially toned" is 18 characters, "not error" is only 9... And, as was stated, the point is to describe what the item IS and to Draw Attention to your listing among the thousands out there.

AlixTCat

That was keyword spamming, plain and simple. Saying "-not any word here" is keyword spamming. "-not Chanel," "-not ERROR," or anything with "not" or "-not" in front of it. By including a word that plain and simple does not describe the item for sale is keyword spamming.

Just put "Artificially Toned George Washington Dollar" and you'll be just fine. Whether intentional or not, you were bringing people who were looking for error coins to your auction by including "error" in the title. Putting a "-" in front of not does nothing to negate people finding your auction while searching for "error."

Jonathan

Cladiator

Why'd you AT the coin?