Question
http://www2.ebay.com/aw/core/200602....06-02-03144326
Hi… This is "Name removed" again, Senior Policy Manager for eBay.
Recently we've seen an increase in reports from the Community about false or inaccurate information included in the item location field of the item page. To address this concern, we're implementing a new Item Location Misrepresentation policy which will be effective as of February 3, 2006.
The item location field on the item page is designed to inform buyers about where the item for sale is located. As eBay's global marketplace continues to grow, it's increasingly important for buyers to know where an item is located, so they can estimate the likely shipping costs and delivery times.
What is not allowed
For example, a problem listing might display something contradictory like "Hong Kong, United Kingdom" or "Worldwide, United States" in the item location field. Another type of listing problem would be an item location field that displays "USA" but the item description text says the item is actually shipping from some other country.
What is allowed
An appropriate use of the item location field would be, "Beijing, China" or "Sydney, Australia." Sellers may also continue to use more creative item locations such as "These United States" or "My mother’s attic."
Inaccurate item location representation can lead to higher shipping costs and longer shipping times than buyers expect. These are negative experiences that can ultimately undermine trust in the marketplace.
To learn more about the policy and view examples of what is and isn't permitted, please visit the Item Location Misrepresentation policy page.
Sincerely,
Name removed
Senior Policy Manager, eBay Trust and Safety
Answer
http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/...geName=CMDV:AB
Sellers must accurately represent the location from which their item will be shipped in the item location field. False, inaccurate or misleading information about the shipping location of an item is not allowed on eBay.
Violations of this policy may result in a range of actions including:
Listing cancellation
Forfeit of eBay fees on cancelled listings
Listing cancellation
Limits on account privileges
Loss of PowerSeller status
Account suspension
Answer
Ebay talk;
http://forums.ebay.com/db2/thread.js...1390 84213417
No reort button on the policy page, Conflict of using creative location.
Answer
Well, I know that a few of the biggest sellers on eBay like to misuse this field, I wonder which of these they will be met with?
Listing cancellation
Forfeit of eBay fees on cancelled listings
Listing cancellation
Limits on account privileges
Loss of PowerSeller status
Account suspension
Answer
What is not allowed
For example, a problem listing might display something contradictory like "Hong Kong, United Kingdom" or "Worldwide, United States" in the item location field. Another type of listing problem would be an item location field that displays "USA" but the item description text says the item is actually shipping from some other country.
What is allowed
An appropriate use of the item location field would be, "Beijing, China" or "Sydney, Australia." Sellers may also continue to use more creative item locations such as "These United States" or "My mother’s attic."
So someone who uses the location field to indicate that they ship "worldwide" from the United Sates is misrepresenting their location and misleading buyers into paying more shipping, etc, but someone who says "My Mother's Attic" is simply being creative and is acceptable. I don't know what the Ebay policy makers are on, but I suspect that laws would be broken if they tried to sell it on Ebay.
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As for "Hong Kong, United Kingdom", Ebay itself created that problem. If a seller in Hong Kong actually used the Hong Kong field to list on the British or Australian (etc) sites in the local currencies, the locals would not see it because of the default settings which only showed listing located in your own country, even when the foreign seller specifically targetted the users of that site (and paid full fees to do so). The only way a foreign auction was seen was to list it as being from the country, but clearly state in the location field and description that the item was being shipped from (say) Hong Kong. I know that Ebay UK took steps to fix this a year or two ago, but I do not know when the other sites did similar. Items listed from the Netherlands and New Zealand ARE now seen on the default settings of the Australian site but I have never seen an announcement about the change. Needless to say Ebay has decided to shift the blame to scumbag foreigners who felt that if they were paying listing fees, their auctions should actually be visible to buyers.
Harumph, Kevin (whose mother does NOT live in a drop shippers warehouse in Beijing )
Answer
Another FREAKING grey area that allows some auctions to be suspended, while others aren't. "My mother's attic" ISN'T confusing when a customer is trying to calculate shipping costs?
Look at the top eBay seller and you'll see "Titanium Powerseller" as their item location, as well as 3 other accounts selling the same electronics who are also atop the list of eBay sellers. Will this be perceived as a misrepresentation, or being creative? Do I even have to ask?
Answer
How very strange. And what does it matter? Either shipping is stated in the description or they have the calculator or they say nada. If they say nada what good does it do to know where they are? The only time I can think of it would matter is if they say in the description something like buyer to pay exact shipping, no handling or other charges. And how many people with "cute" locations say that? My guess is none. People who work at ebay are just strange. They wouldn't last where I work. Maryanne
Answer
I don't see what will change because of this, other than blatant contradiction. But then again, would that be "creative"????
It seems like a loophole that just about anyone can skirt around...
Cheers
Answer
It seems like a loophole that just about anyone can skirt around...
Anyone that eBay chooses to turn a blind eye to.