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Restricting new users from bidding
Last Post Nov 12, 2009 7:53 AM by: michelles_sister
Replies: 17
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platinumwigs1
Posts: 6

Restricting new users from bidding

Nov 5, 2009 8:25 AM
Although eBay doesn't allow sellers to restrict new users with no feedback from bidding, is it against eBay policy to put a statement on your listing that says something like, "your account must be at least 90 days old and you must have at least a 5 feedback before bidding/purchasing"? And should the buyers purchase or bid, can the seller have the transaction canceled so that the buyers cannot leave feedback on the transaction? It seems that we have the most problems with new ebay users.
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osp1973
Posts: 581
(1 of 17)

Re: Restricting new users from bidding

Nov 5, 2009 9:33 AM
No, it's not against policy, and you can technically refuse a bid by any user that does not comply with your Terms of service.

But, they will still be able to leave feedback; and it won't be removeable on those grounds.
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redbud_farm
Posts: 13,040
(2 of 17)

Re: Restricting new users from bidding

Nov 5, 2009 12:19 PM
if a bidder bids knowing they aren't going to comply with your tos then they are an unwelcome bidder. you file that complaint which may lead to them being susspended. any fb they left would be removed if things go as they should.

but i'd not count on it as eBay doesn't always do what they say they will.

so put what you want in your tos and hope it works to your advantage.

We may walk a different path , but may be headed to the same place. So walk with me awhile when our paths cross. let's ease each other's load.
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platinumwigs1
Posts: 6
(3 of 17)

Re: Restricting new users from bidding

Nov 6, 2009 4:53 PM
Thanks for the info. eBay is really making it difficult for sellers to conduct business.
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snowfeather*designs
Posts: 11,989
(4 of 17)

Re: Restricting new users from bidding

Nov 7, 2009 11:44 AM
So were you a bad user when YOU had low feedback?

Go ahead, put restrictions in your listings. I won't bid on them. Neither will a lot of people.

How would you feel if you went to a mall and a merchant said to you "you're not allowed to shop here without 20 references from other stores in the mall"? Wouldn't that be pretty darned stupid? That's exactly what you want to do.

People who have 1000 good feedback for buying were good buyers when they had zero feedback. Assuming all new buyers are bad is just WRONG!
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mrsyardman
Posts: 935
(5 of 17)

Re: Restricting new users from bidding

Nov 7, 2009 5:46 PM
eBay recognizes that there is a potential problem with new bidders.

The "buyer activity limits" page used to say this:

Based on eBay’s research, more than 50% of Unpaid Items come from new users with a Feedback score of less than 5.

Now it says:

buyer activity limits are one way that we reduce the chance of unpaid items. Buyer activity limits are based on statistical information, and they are put in place to protect everyone. . . .

How can I remove these limits?
We'll remove buyer activity limits once we see that the buyer's purchases are legitimate and are being completed successfully. One way we see this is through Feedback. If you're a new buyer, you may see your limit removed as your Feedback score increases.

The revised text makes it sound like eBay is actively protecting the sellers instead of just acknowledging that a problem may exist, but reading the boards doesn't seem to support that theory.

Link
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jusplayen
Posts: 108
(6 of 17)

Re: Restricting new users from bidding

Nov 8, 2009 12:12 PM
OP, Another thing I have seen some sellers use is a statement about people with new accounts and low feedback is to set a limit and if they are below that limit ask them to email you before bidding. You can verify they are serious and have given correct information to ebay and most scammers won't take the time to email you. But since it's a fact that new accounts and low Feedback are where most of your problem transactions come from and with no seller protection frm eBay you must do what you can to survive. Anyone who finds fault with that is just stupid any way.
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mrsyardman
Posts: 935
(7 of 17)

Re: Restricting new users from bidding

Nov 8, 2009 6:46 PM
You can state your bidding requirements, but there is no way to actually stop a low or zero feedback bidder from bidding. They can bid at the last minute, making it impossible to cancel before the auction ends.
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tev_022908
Posts: 1,349
(8 of 17)

Re: Restricting new users from bidding

Nov 9, 2009 1:57 AM
is it against eBay policy to put a statement on your listing that says something like, "your account must be at least 90 days old and you must have at least a 5 feedback before bidding/purchasing"?

According to this, IT is.

New Selling Practices policy: A new Selling Practices policy will define clear standards for accuracy and professionalism in listings and listing descriptions, and for all stages of a transaction. Adhering to the new policy will be required for eBay Top-rated seller status in October and for all other sellers in early 2010. In short:

comments that undermine confidence in eBay sellers or misrepresent a seller vs. buyer's responsibility in a transaction will not be allowed in listings.

From here...
Link

;) Still won't stop the gun on the grassy knoll tho'.
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mrsyardman
Posts: 935
(9 of 17)

Re: Restricting new users from bidding

Nov 9, 2009 6:04 AM
comments that undermine confidence in eBay sellers or misrepresent a seller vs. buyer's responsibility in a transaction will not be allowed in listings.

tev, you see this as prohibiting buyer requirements -- please explain.
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tev_022908
Posts: 1,349
(10 of 17)

Re: Restricting new users from bidding

Nov 9, 2009 2:40 PM
I don't think I see IT as prohibiting buyer requirements. Sellers do have preferences they can set. Not saying there shouldn't be more, but IT (the statement below) doesn't exude overwhelming confidence in the seller or the site for matter. One could even say IT undermines confidence.
I believe this statement would cast a bad light on most ebay sellers that use/used IT, right?

"your account must be at least 90 days old and you must have at least a 5 feedback before bidding/purchasing"

If you had a choice...
all things being equal between two items with two sellers.
Except this statement was in 1 of the descriptions. I bet you, as probably I and most others, would buy from the one without the statement.

;)
Still won't stop the gun on the grassy knoll tho'.
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mrsyardman
Posts: 935
(11 of 17)

Re: Restricting new users from bidding

Nov 10, 2009 3:45 PM
Naaaah, I'd just think they'd been burned a few times and didn't care to have it happen again. Maybe I'd send them some aloe vera. . .
;)
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humanelaw
Posts: 2
(12 of 17)

Re: Restricting new users from bidding

Nov 11, 2009 12:04 PM
I personally don't think it is fair to restrict buyers based on their feedback number. If we did that, none of us would have a feedback score. The real issue is Ebay's policy of dealing with people who don't pay. I'm by no means a big-time seller, but I've been burnt 2 out of 10 times. I've always paid for everything I've purchased within hours of winning. It's inconceivable to me that 20% of my items went without payment. What is Ebay's policy? Wait a week, file an unpaid item complaint, wait another week, close the case, relist the item! Nothing shows up on their account to alert other sellers, no negative feedback, just the magic, invisible strike. They just go merrily on their way looking like a responsible member of the community. Ebay this policy is just plain wrong! X-(
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metrobake
Posts: 43
(13 of 17)

Re: Restricting new users from bidding

Nov 11, 2009 4:01 PM
burnt 2 out of 10 times

What were the feedback scored of the buyers?
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humanelaw
Posts: 2
(14 of 17)

Re: Restricting new users from bidding

Nov 11, 2009 4:43 PM
metrobake wrote:
burnt 2 out of 10 times

What were the feedback scored of the buyers?

There was no option to leave negative feed back as far as I could see. I just went back and tagged him as a non-paying bidder. but it still had to show as positive. The second one I'm still waiting to hear back from, complaint was lodged 2 days ago. X-( Oh, and by the way, the 1st non-payer had a positive feed back score of 8, and the other a score of 22. Neither one had any negative feedback.
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