Question
http://www2.ebay.com:80/aw/marketing...04-09-02173905
Links Policy Clarifications
Date: 09/02/04 Time: 05:53:18 PM PDT
With the introduction of a number of eBay Stores enhancements over the past few months, including Custom Headers and Custom Pages, we are adding a new section to the eBay Links Policy to help sellers better understand what links are permitted within their eBay Store. Please note the following changes that are effective today:
Links within eBay Stores
The links that sellers may include on their eBay Store home page or other Store Custom Pages are listed below:
Links to your email address that enable potential buyers to ask questions via email about items in your store.
Links to your on-eBay pages and items.
Up to 10 links to other sellers’ eBay Store pages, as long as you have the permission of those other sellers.
Links to off-eBay pages that provide information about your store or service; however, the pages may not advertise any specific off-eBay items or contain any links to pages that offer items off-eBay.
We will also no longer allow new eBay Store names to be a URL (i.e. a Web address such as www.yourstorename.com). Existing Store sellers who have a URL as their store name will be exempt from this change.
Any links other than those listed above are not permitted.
Live Chat links
In addition, a number of members have asked us to clarify our Links policy as it applies to Live Chat technology. The current Links Policy does not permit Live Chat links from the item page; only links from an About Me page are allowed. We have added text to make the policy clearer on this issue.
For the complete policy or for additional information please read our Links Policy and Links Policy related Frequently Asked Questions.
Regards,
eBay
Links Policy page: http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/...geName=CMDV:AB
Blanche
Answer
Aren't Chat Applications allowed in regular auction listings?
Answer
Never mind, I found the answer... still, there's thousands of listings offering immediate help/chat, and a GOOD thing in my opinion, offering quick responses to last minute questions and good customer service...
Answer
"Links to off-eBay pages that provide information about your store or service; however, the pages may not advertise any specific off-eBay items or contain any links to pages that offer items off-eBay."
This seems like a major change. All sorts of useful sites we might link to will contain links to items offered for sale. For example, almost all corporate information sites that we might use for details or background about a product will, somewhere, have a link to unrelated items for sale.
There has been what was called a "two click rule" and now, at best, is a three click rule.
Answer
Yes Ray, eBay has tightened up their Links Policy. They don't want to encourage you to have your own website. EBay wants ALL of the money!
http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abn/y04/m09/i03/s01
eBay Tightens Policy to Deter Off-eBay Transactions
By Ina Steiner
AuctionBytes.com
September 03, 2004
eBay added a new section to its Links Policy to spell out what links are permitted within eBay Stores (http://www2.ebay.com:80/aw/marketing...04-09-02173905). The Links Policy is designed to prevent sellers from directing buyers to transact business outside of the eBay site to avoid paying eBay's commission fees.
The Links Policy restricts the links and contact information a seller can include in eBay.com listings, and eBay announced on Thursday it had added similar restrictions for eBay Stores listings and Store home pages.
The revised policy prohibits linking to other eBay Stores without that Storeowner's permission, and limits that number to ten. It also prohibits sellers from listing phone numbers and other contact information on the Stores home page. "Phone numbers that are not specifically tied to customer support for a particular item have the potential to pull a buyer off the eBay marketplace," the announcement explained. Sellers may continue to list phone numbers in item pages, the About Me page, and Store Custom Pages that are not currently set as the home page of the Store.
Sellers may not include solicitations to join a mailing list that is maintained outside of eBay, but may include such requests on their About Me pages. eBay will no longer allow new eBay Store names to be a URL, read the announcement for all changes to the policy.
Blanche
Answer
From eBay's Links policy:
If a third party credit is "clickable", eBay will permit the credit to link to a page that describes the services or products directly connected with the particular listing or that allow a seller to aggregate their eBay listings. The page may not contain information about other services or products the third party offers unless expressly permitted by eBay.
A (description) search for "Andale" turns up appx. 628,000 matches. One of Andale's text links reads, "Get Andale Auction Tools. Save Time. Multiply Sales." The link leads back to Andale's home page, which advertises several tools for eBay.
Clearly a bust in so many ways. But I suppose eBay has given Andale "express permission." Or maybe not.
Without looking through other third party credits, I'd guess most of them also violate this policy.
Answer
One way to get around ebays rule for not linking to your own webpage is display your email address for your web site. Ie: Jason*E-Salesunlimited*com
Although right now my Url automatically redirects people to my ebay store, in a few months when i have my website up and running, this should work to get people to come to my website instead of ebay.
Answer
I keep thinking of Parrothead88's toll-free telephone number (in very large red numbers) in his ads for shipping supplies. I'd guess a large percentage simply call and order without placing a bid. I know I do.