eBay banned selling for "sharing" account

Tazadoobii

This might be long winded but will try to keep it short.

I have had an ebay account since 2008, accumulating good feedback etc, and decided to start trading in January.

I've been doing well, good turnover, profits good etc.

My eBay fell below standard due to 2 cases that I didn't attend to, but 1 I had, a mistake on eBay's part.

Cool, I had enough listings to ride it out.

Last month eBay removed all my listings, asked me to add tracking numbers for everything (I never knew you had to do this, apparently you do), and close the cases open.

Once I did this, they then contacted my last week, telling me that they've linked my account to brothers based on similar bank information, contact information and seller activity.

As my brothers is restricted forever (for whatever reason), they said that as I have been letting him use his, they will also restrict mine with no chance to dispute. I have NEVER let him list on mine, nor login, buy, or sell. EVER. My number is also unique, along with my email, name etc. I have even changed my address to my new place.

My account is above standard, everything is sorted on there and of 800 positive I have 2 negative (both of which are inaccurate).

I have tried to complain about how they've wrongly linked me to my brothers account but they won't listen. I don't know what else to do? The department dealing with this don't have a direct contact number.

Can someone please offer advice on how to take this forward?

I honestly haven't done anything to warrant this restriction but don't know what else to say to them.

Taz

patman99

Ebay are a Law unto themselves. Once they decide to block an account, they will never cave in and change their minds unless you start Court action against them.

This can be a very costly route to take however.

First off, I would try sending them a signed avidavit stating that you and you alone have had access to your ebay account. Engage a solicitor to send it along with a 'de-restrict the account or else' letter.

theonlywayisup

There's a lot in your OP that needs answering.

But, the obvious one is, does your bother live at/is registered to/uses the address that you have/had registered with eBay.

If he is banned, you will be too.

Tazadoobii

theonlywayisup wrote: »

There's a lot in your OP that needs answering.

But, the obvious one is, does your bother live at/is registered to/uses the address that you have/had registered with eBay.

If he is banned, you will be too.

What needs answering? I will try my best

Well we grew up there, yes, address has been the same. Not sure about his now, but I changed mine to my current address.

Tazadoobii

patman99 wrote: »

Ebay are a Law unto themselves. Once they decide to block an account, they will never cave in and change their minds unless you start Court action against them.

This can be a very costly route to take however.

First off, I would try sending them a signed avidavit stating that you and you alone have had access to your ebay account. Engage a solicitor to send it along with a 'de-restrict the account or else' letter.

Hi thanks for your reply

Are there cases of people doing what you say and having their account reinstated?

Taz

soolin

Tazadoobii wrote: »

What needs answering? I will try my best

Well we grew up there, yes, address has been the same. Not sure about his now, but I changed mine to my current address.

So at one point there was a shared address and possibly a family name as well? It also looks as though you and your brother were selling the same line of items. I'm sorry, but this looks unlikely to be overturned purely because it is not unknown for a person to get banned and then start up again as a brother or other relative using a slightly different name variation , and a different bank account an email, so eBay are rightly suspicious.

Unfortunately your brothers poor account use has directly led to your own ban.

Tazadoobii wrote: »

Hi thanks for your reply

Are there cases of people doing what you say and having their account reinstated?

Taz

I have not seen anyone state they have taken eBay to court and get reinstated, and there have been some very large mega sellers banned who had deep pockets and didn't go down this route. However patman might be aware of successful cases .

Tazadoobii

soolin wrote: »

So at one point there was a shared address and possibly a family name as well? It also looks as though you and your brother were selling the same line of items. I'm sorry, but this looks unlikely to be overturned purely because it is not unknown for a person to get banned and then start up again as a brother or other relative using a slightly different name variation , and a different bank account an email, so eBay are rightly suspicious.

Unfortunately your brothers poor account use has directly led to your own ban.



I have not seen anyone state they have taken eBay to court and get reinstated, and there have been some very large mega sellers banned who had deep pockets and didn't go down this route. However patman might be aware of successful cases .

I was selling a completely different type of product. There will have been no overlap - I can guarantee that.

Surely they use IP addresses to check things like this? They'd easily be able to see from that what the reality is.

theonlywayisup

Tazadoobii wrote: »

What needs answering? I will try my best


Well we grew up there, yes, address has been the same. Not sure about his now, but I changed mine to my current address.

Did you change before or after your ban?

Tazadoobii wrote: »

My eBay fell below standard due to 2 cases that I didn't attend to, but 1 I had, a mistake on eBay's part.

You don't fall below standard for 2 cases. I'm not quite sure what you mean by "1 I had, a mistake on eBay's part'.

Tazadoobii wrote: »

Cool, I had enough listings to ride it out.

Two cases won't put you below standard. What were you 'riding out'.

Tazadoobii wrote: »

Last month eBay removed all my listings, asked me to add tracking numbers for everything (I never knew you had to do this, apparently you do), and close the cases open.

Sounds like you had some issues. What were the cases and why were they open, how many closed in the buyers favour? Are you including these in the two that took you "below standard"?

You can see how not a lot of your post adds up/makes sense.

Tazadoobii wrote: »

Once I did this, they then contacted my last week, telling me that they've linked my account to brothers based on similar bank information, contact information and seller activity.

Taz

Have they asked you to unlink your accounts or prove you are not connected to your brother - if they haven't, have you sought to provide this?

Tazadoobii

theonlywayisup wrote: »

Did you change before or after your ban?



You don't fall below standard for 2 cases. I'm not quite sure what you mean by "1 I had, a mistake on eBay's part'.



Two cases won't put you below standard. What were you 'riding out'.



Sounds like you had some issues. What were the cases and why were they open, how many closed in the buyers favour? Are you including these in the two that took you "below standard"?

You can see how not a lot of your post adds up/makes sense.



Have they asked you to unlink your accounts or prove you are not connected to your brother - if they haven't, have you sought to provide this?

It doesn't need to "add up". eBay's criteria for banning me has been allowing someone else use my account - which I haven't. That's it. The first restriction was unrelated to the second.

No they haven't asked for any proof, they say they won't accept any dispute.

theonlywayisup

You miss the point.

However, it's moot. If ebay say they won't accept you disputing the allegation then it's up to them. It's their site.

Tazadoobii

theonlywayisup wrote: »

You miss the point.

However, it's moot. If ebay say they won't accept you disputing the allegation then it's up to them. It's their site.

You're right, but given their position, they shouldn't be arbitrarily banning people without evidence.

My bank wouldn't reject an application because my name is similar to someone else's. The passport office wouldn't mistake me for my brother.