Question
Ok. Granted this was a relist and I forgot to remove the reference to the Matrix movie website. My fault. I also realize that "Matrix" and "Neo" are words coined by a movie studio. I do understand this, really I do.
However, what I need to do is sell items. Crazy, I know. Unrealistic, I know. But that's what I want to do. Can it be done?
What I need is some ideas on how to legally title this auction which will enable me to actually sell the pattern. I've written to eBay, but all I get is a canned answer to see the policy stated here yada, yada, yada.
Auctions with titles including "LOTR" have also received the same treatment. I would understand "Lord of the Rings", but why "LOTR"??
Provided below is another procedurial warning email. I'm getting fairly nervous these things may be piling up somewhere. I'd really like to avoid going over whatever "bad" amount total there is ....
Dear extremely frustrated seller {sic},
We appreciate that you chose eBay to list the following item:
Sew MATRIX NEO Long Duster Jacket MORPHEUS Coat PATTERN
Item #8147562081
This auction listing has already ended. However, the listing was in violation of eBay's policies. We would like to take this opportunity to let you know what part of your listing is not allowed.
Your listing contains the following information:
MATRIX NEO
We realize you may not be aware of this policy, but using such terms in this way is considered "Search Manipulation," which is not permitted by eBay.
Search Manipulation is any practice that results in searches on eBay returning irrelevant listings or that otherwise inhibits a user’s ability to accurately locate specific items.
Specifically, your listing inappropriately referenced another company's brand in the listing title. Our Search Manipulation policy prohibits the inclusion of any brand names or company logos in listings other than the specific brand name used by the company that manufactured or produced the item listed. Since your listing description does not indicate that the item listed is manufactured or licensed by the company referenced, the brand may not be included in the listing title.
Search manipulation is unfair to members who may be searching for a specific item and receive inaccurate search results. Users often are confused and frustrated by such tactics. Certain uses of brand names may also constitute trademark infringement and could expose sellers to legal liability.
This notice is based solely upon review of the aforementioned listing. We encourage you to review all of your listings to ensure they are in full compliance with our guidelines. If found to be in violation of one or more of our guidelines, your current listings will be subject to further disciplinary action, including the cancellation of your listings.
To review our Search Manipulation guidelines in full, please see the following link:
http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/...-keywords.html
For a better understanding of our listing guidelines and how they affect the way you list your items, please visit the following page:
http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/listing-ov.html
Future listings that demonstrate a pattern of violations may result in the termination of all of your listings, and repeated occurrences may jeopardize your eBay account status. We sincerely value you as a member of our trading community and look forward to a continued successful relationship. To ensure this relationship, we must respectfully ask that you abide by our guidelines and User Agreement in the future.
We thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Regards,
Customer Support (Trust and Safety Department)
eBay Inc
Answer
What is it? Long black trench coat?
I wonder if anyone has the VERO rights to COLUMBINE KILLER.
Answer
This auction listing has already ended. However, the listing was in violation of eBay's policies.
They pulled it from the data base even though it was finshed?
Can you link to the auction that you relisted it from (or any other that was the same) ?
IF I understand the item correctly, I could understand and accept if it was found to violate VERO of whoever holds the rights to the Matrix series, as (and please correct me if I am wrong) it was a Pattern to make an item based on the film, but was not a licensed product. If so, as a VeRO violation the auction closure would be valid. However as far as I can see, in recent times Ebay seems to have taken the additional step of using the Key Word Spamming policy, to eliminate possible VeRO infringements.
If the item is based on the coat of Neo from The Matrix (I have not seen the movies, so forgive me if I am clumsy and Neo is not the Character) and the rights holder has not complained, then the description is directly relevant to the listing and it should not have been closed down.
I don't know the answers though - I think it is going to be a tough Christmas period for making sales, for anybody who is not selling straight standard "retail" items.
Kevin
Answer
Originally Posted by corrdogg
What is it? Long black trench coat?
I wonder if anyone has the VERO rights to COLUMBINE KILLER.
yes, long black coat.
Good one on the vero thought. Grim & sarcastic, but topical.
Answer
Originally Posted by Kevin_T
They pulled it from the data base even though it was finshed?
Oh yes indeed. I suspect this is more activity from a stalker I picked up in Sept. I laid low in Oct & only listed a very few items after having 250+ auctions pulled. That mistake was having a link to a currency converter service for International bidders. Nevermind that the link was directly related to my auction.
Originally Posted by Kevin_T
Can you link to the auction that you relisted it from (or any other that was the same) ?
Doesn't apply - this auction was a relist of same that did not sell back in Sept. I posted it after selling one through last week.
Originally Posted by Kevin_T
IF I understand the item correctly, I could understand and accept if it was found to violate VERO of whoever holds the rights to the Matrix series, as (and please correct me if I am wrong) it was a Pattern to make an item based on the film, but was not a licensed product. If so, as a VeRO violation the auction closure would be valid. However as far as I can see, in recent times Ebay seems to have taken the additional step of using the Key Word Spamming policy, to eliminate possible VeRO infringements.
It was not a VeRO closure. The pattern itself makes no reference in print to the movie.
Originally Posted by Kevin_T
If the item is based on the coat of Neo from The Matrix (I have not seen the movies, so forgive me if I am clumsy and Neo is not the Character) and the rights holder has not complained, then the description is directly relevant to the listing and it should not have been closed down.
You have it exactly right here, the pattern is used to sew a costume so the user can look like the character from the movie.
What is a seller to do? Where does this end? The most popular costumes are those that allow users to portray their favorite characters!!
Answer
".....after having 250+ auctions pulled. That mistake was having a link to a currency converter service for International bidders. ......"
"Where does this end?"
Where indeed?
Sorry, I really can't come up with any suggestion for your original question, unless "change careers" is an option. (The saddest thing is that I am NOT being sarcastic - I suspect that I will do the same about February unless things dramatically change for the better).
Kevin
Answer
Thanks Kevin. I have already (after the Sept experience) decided it's time to leave the pattern business. What used to be a stellar business has too much competition with prices I can no longer match and stay profitable. I've found my buyers are less and less the sewing and costume people and becoming more problem folks with myriad excuses.
I still have an inventory of 6,800+ items I need to sell.
Perhaps I will take the plunge and try the big O. They seem to have settled a bit. I guess it can't hurt any more than eBay does!!
Maybe for the rest of my stock I should just title them "Women's pattern #1", #2, #3 and so on - "Men's pattern #1" ...
Answer
List it as "reloaded neo classical matrix trench coat"
Make no mention of the character or movie. Be sure to use lower case on all the words so that they are descriptive. Mention that this is a pattern that you have sold before and that you have reloaded it. The coat is formed by sewing a very strong matrix of seams and that it is in the neo classical style.
And if that fails I would go with COLUMBINE KILLER TRENCH COAT.
Answer
Originally Posted by corrdogg
List it as "reloaded neo classical matrix trench coat"
Make no mention of the character or movie. Be sure to use lower case on all the words so that they are descriptive. Mention that this is a pattern that you have sold before and that you have reloaded it. The coat is formed by sewing a very strong matrix of seams and that it is in the neo classical style.
And if that fails I would go with COLUMBINE KILLER TRENCH COAT.
Bhahhahha hahahahahahah heeeeeho hahahahah ::choke::
It sounds reasonable, but I somehow doubt the cust dis-service folks at wiErdBay would see the fine distinctions or understand the alternate definitions of used words.
I was thinking "Movie character long black trench coat pattern". Does anyone think that would even get hits? I'm just too close to the situation to be objective.
Using Columbine I think would invoke the "can't profit from stuff killers used" {sic} rule - even if I wanted to take that route. Not that I think you seriously want me to use that as a title. Honestly and all sarcasm aside, I'd throw the 11 patterns I have left in the trash before I would benefit from kids imitating the Columbine guys. Even I have my standards.
Answer
Sounds like the competition is turning you in. If you check closed auctions on "Matrix coat pattern," you'll find plenty of such auctions that completed without being pulled.