UPDATE: 8/13/12
From ebay FB - just now!
· · 29 minutes ago
eBayHi Lisa, as part of our latest Seller Release we announced the closing of some categories. Every year we restructure, close, and edit our categories to improve the shopping experience onsite. The Metaphysical category is going to be closedat the end of the month, and items from that category will not be allowed to be listed onsite. More details can be found here: http://pages.ebay.com/sellerinformation/news/fallupdat e2012/categoryupdates.html? ssPageName= categoryupdatesABPost ~terri
UPDATE:
this is to just give a synopsis of what eBay reps are telling people so far.
It is CERTAIN that any INTANGIBLE item that is not mailed is OUT. No direct cast spells, body bindings of spirits (conjures), readings of ANY type-psychic, tarot, aura, angel, etc..., distance energy work and healing, Reiki, rituals for any purpose, candle rituals, prayers, etc... ANYTHING NOT MAILED.
It seems what is in question is whether the term 'intangible' is being applied to energies (magick casting,spells, spirit bindings, blessings, energy empowerment's) placed on or already upon jewelry or other items making them become worth more than the actual intrinsic value of the item.
It has been stated by several eBay CS reps that this 'intangible' factor will NOT BE ALLOWED either.
Other eBay CS reps say anything in the metaphysical>paranormal>jewelry or metaphysical>paranormal>other is OK but there is conflicting info about whether this means adding spells and spirits to these pieces is OK.
Some CS reps say certain 'keywords' must not be used--'spirit', 'spell', 'enchantment', 'haunted', 'psychic', 'reading', 'potion', are some being mentioned. Some CS reps feel taking these words out of the title alone is sufficient others say they must not be used in the listing at ALL.
So what is needed now is a final clarification on the points above. We know the two categories of 'metaphysical-paranormal-jewelry' and 'metaphysical-paranormal-other' are remaining for now (but some hint not for long) BUT how we can use these categories is in question.
WE NEED CLARIFICATION BEFORE THE DEADLINE.
Each listing eBay might remove can be considered a policy violation and too many policy violations lead to suspension or limiting of even our compliant listings and our ID's.
I just got some clarification, talked to ebay again for the third time. No items with words in title or description that say, ghost, spirit, soul, spell is still allowed, for now as long as you are selling a item. It can be attached to the item, and be sold. But if a spirit is attached to a doll, it cannot be sold, and you cannot list it as haunted. No bottles that contain spirts or potions, etc. Out out my store, they looked at it, I can keep maybe 25 %. If they are revisied. Honestly, at this point I may just move it all. I am not sure fixing things will work. The rep just told me, that ebay is trying to have a new image, they DONT want to be a Flea Market anymore. Those were his exact words. It is clear, they don;t want us there at all.
ReplyDeleteLilith--just to clarify, you CAN sell an item like jewelry with spells and spirits just not use those words? The exception being haunted dolls?
Deletewith spells, no spirits the system will pick up the word spirit.
DeleteThis message is from JanetKarmel---
ReplyDeleteHello Again,
I was on the phone with the CEO, there will only be listings allowed as classified ads.
They can say anything, spells and so on, however if we want to list our stuff in the Everything else category, we can not specify anything as Magic or otherwise.
I have deleted my eBay store and I will not be posting my items as classified ads. I have a personal website hauntedshoppe.com/HauntedShoppe.html
I would be happy to post some of your items on the site for you and anyone who would like to.
My personal E-Mail is ******** please feel free to contact me anytime.
- janetkarmel
I dont even know how classified adds work, how does anyone even see them?
DeleteI just checked out classifed adds, wow! thats my first thought. For one thing how would anyone find us? Unless they clicked on classifeds? Then one add costs almost 10.00 great for high priced items, or if you sold the same one over and over. But, I don't like my phone number being placed out there like that! There is no feedback, and no buyer protection how would the buyers know to trust us?
ReplyDeleteI have listed on classifies just to try them out. nothing zip zero nada.
ReplyDeleteand forgot to mention classified ads are free but it is required you enter your zipcode so IF someone looks for you it shows local only; or the closest I'm assuming. Like I live in Texas when I listed the closed place to me was Austin so that only peeps in Austin looking for Reiki could find me - hypothetically cuz no one found me.
ReplyDeleteWe need to get their new "policy" in writing so we at least have something solid to show if they start taking down listings that have been told would be ok.
ReplyDeleteI'm working on getting email addresses of every person at eBay I can from CEO down. Any help is appreciated. I have many from Paypal too since they say chargebacks are an issue. I also will have MANY phone numbers.
ReplyDeleteMy idea is to mass inundate them with emails and calls. So we need to organize and get EVERYONE we know to do this. ANYONE with accounts or not. Just flood them with an email.
I am working on an email to use and welcome help and suggestions.
I'm thinking about talking about most of our great feedback and suggesting some type of compromise so many of us can stay.
Some one commented about sellers who offer cookies but get around the food ban by selling the container and giving the cookies as a gift. Perhaps we can do something like that even.
Perhaps if we all stay united we could start our own Auction site. We would have to hire a pro to set it up with all the security and proper safe-guards. We all have a lot of customers so that would be instant traffic. This is a funny story, but I heard about people selling "used panties" on ebay, and obviously this practice got put on the banned list, so they started their own website called www.ebanned.net which sells these adult fetish items which were banned on ebay. We could do something similar with our Magick...
ReplyDeleteRe Meta Seller's efforts. Thank you for taking the initiative on this. I still haven't called eBay as I have the flu and am waiting till I have my act together more. If anyone made a list of QUESTIONS to ask I'd appreciate having that info. I don't want to miss any important questions when I call.
ReplyDeletedoes anyone know if the word haunted is allowed?
ReplyDeleteWhat we need to do is make a list of every eBay alternative that we can dump tons of metaphysical items up on for free. Not just one, but every one that allows us to list a lot of items for free. And then we need to combined with everyone, list at least 1000 items, minimum. Best to try for 5000 or more. We need to do this for multiple sites so no one can shut us down.
ReplyDeleteThere are plenty of other auction sites out there. There are NOT plenty of other auction sites out there with CUSTOMERS. I've tried posting items many places before. There are plenty of items for sale, and NO ONE IS BUYING. It doesn't matter how many places you list your items, if the customers never see them.
ReplyDeleteTHIS is the problem we will be facing. I do think Meta-Market is one possible solution...if it's done properly. No off-the-shelf auction site packages, and PROPER amounts of advertising to get the word out, and it MIGHT work. Do NOT expect the kind of sales you got from Ebay. It will not happen.
I believe Ebay may be deliberately keeping what they are planning vague, so that sellers will not begin telling customers where they can be found when they're banned from ebay. They want to keep things ambiguous so that folks will not use the final week to break their TOS and steal customers. If we KNEW we were going to be kicked out, we would have no reason not to do it.
I agree, its gonna happen. The last call I made the rep told me, ebay is trying to repair its reputation. They no longer want to be known as a "flea market" those were his EXACT words. There was no mention in the list of prohibited items that was paranormal dolls, but the last call I had now they are included. I had them look at my store, and I was told all I could keep was jewelry and beads period.
DeleteI just spoke to Ebay CS and asked very bluntly, "can I still sell psychic readings on Ebay?", he said YES. However, he said I must use the "Everything Else" category and an appropriate sub-category such as "Weird Stuff" or "Other". This may only be temporary and I do not know what key/descriptive words they'll use or not, but I imagine I will try it.
ReplyDeleteI posted an ad in the Classifieds once and got 1 inquiry, but no clear/safe way to do billing and VERY hard to find anyone.
I'm in the process of transitioning to my own site only; www.theworldtree.us, so maybe it's just simply time to move on.
Good luck all!
That is not what I was told, not at all. I been thinking the same thing, I really don't want to go to all the work to edit, if they just get taken down anyway. I was told the system would search words, and pull listings, I already been telling my customers where I will be. Ebay knows it, I asked if I could do it, as long as there was no link in the listings and they said yes. The list of what is being eliminated includes readings...
DeleteHonestly after days of moving and now am editing and still don't know for sure what is gonna happen. For me, instead of editing anymore and maybe wasting more of my time, I think I will stop. I will move EVERYTHING to the other site. Then on the end all my listing and shut down. Maybe by then, someone at ebay may know what we can and cannot do. I do think that if they are gonna pull listing for violations, they should at LEAST tell us what those things are we cannot do. Each time one of us calls we get a different story its as if the right hand has no idea what the left hand is doing! If we are to be banned, they I need to work on my new studio, so I am ready at the end of the month. I will not let sept roll over a pay a 50 store fee to be banned half way through. When and IF we get something from them in writing as to what is and is not allowed, I will edit and list then.
ReplyDeleteI'm not touching a thing unless they tell me that I have to. After all, they already told me I was fine. I have everything up in my webstore, though, and everything saved on Auctiva.
ReplyDeleteI will be calling them again, though. Maybe I'll tell them I'm recording the call, one of these times.
I was told, that about 25% of my items were ok, and those would need to be edited. So, moving is the best thing for me. At least until I see something in writing.
DeleteI will be posting phone numbers to MANY eBay Departments soon and email addresses too. I do have the home phone # of the CEO if he has not changed it. I'm not the one who says they called him but I did find his number. LOL!
ReplyDeleteI would like us to decide a bit what to say before we all start calling and emailing though. A form email we can then personalize but which states our case for remaining in some form.
I will start posting numbers and email addresses soon. I'm waiting on a friend to get me the database with all internal email addresses at eBay.
I did have good luck emailing the CEO several years ago and was impressed with how he handled my problem by having his personal assistant fix the very serious issue.
I also wanted to say-I don't want to leave eBay. I love it here and nothing compares to it. I have a website with all items from eBay plus more. It is slow. Bonanza was a joke for sales, Etsy I've only dabbled with, plus it's reported spirits and certain other items are not allowed. I have looked at other sites over the last couple of years but everything seems to be dead.
ReplyDeleteYou would need to spend so much time marketing yourself that you would have no time for creating any items.
I don;t either, but I don;t think I will have a choice....
DeleteI don't either. I've tried several other places too, and barely had a single hit. It's so frustrating!
DeleteFor those that have emailed me already about joining the new meta-marketplace that we are planning on creating as a JOINT effort thank you my friends. I will reply shortly and tell you how we shall begin the communication process. For others who maybe missed the post and still want in please email me here: thirdeyemaster1@gmail.com and tell me you are interested.
ReplyDeleteIf your wondering and want more info look through the pages and see my past posts concerning are attempt of joining forces and creating a mega-meta-marketplace.
Again this is not a temporary solution as that we must do individually as time is running out but a long term solution to the constraints of these big sites that hold us hostage.
Just imagine the capabilities we can have by creating this marketplace as one. A unified mall of metaphysical sellers. The more that gather the stronger we will be. Currently I have received emails from 12 meta sellers that are interested in joining. Looking forward to having more of us ride this train.
*bows*
Namaste
Methias Chinoa (ThirdEyeCommunications ~ Mrs. Gula)
also find me here: http://www.facebook.com/methias.chinoa
DeleteNOTE: Please see lists of eBay email addresses, fax #'s and phone numbers as well as all official Facebook pages on the Bombard Ebay post!
ReplyDeleteI NEED HELP!
ReplyDeleteI have a list of over 1600 eBay employees and department heads but these names need to be put into the standard email format eBay uses. This is easy but I can not do it all myself. It would take me hours and hours.
We NEED these emails for our mass email campaign to get heard.
So--PLEASE email me at ebaymetaphysical@gmail.com if you are willing to help. If we split the list among us we could be done quickly.
We could buy the list complete with emails and phone number extensions but its 1500.00
UPDATE: Aurora completed the first group of names of eBay dept. heads and out of about 230 possible email addresses over 160 worked!
ReplyDeleteWe still have HUNDREDS of names to go and then we will have a large database of working eBay email addresses to send out our 'protest' emails to. Send enough from enough people and it might make a difference!
https://www.facebook.com/eBay/posts/10151358951453136
ReplyDeleteWaiting for a public answer.
Answer received, publicly, on Facebook--so, this is it. We are out.
ReplyDeleteeBay
Here is the clarification i promised: We are not exiting ALL of Metaphysical categories, and 42 subcategories will remain. Items that have a tangible value (based on a physical object) but also may be used in metaphysical rites and practic
es (jewelry, crystals, incense, candles, books, etc.) are allowed, as long as the value of the item is not significantly based on the metaphysical claims of the listing. Intangible items – things that eBay would not be able to confirm whether the buyer received or items where the value is placed on an intangible factor (someone’s “soul”, spells, potions, hexes, curses, prayers, blessings, psychic and tarot readings, remote healing sessions advice, etc.) aren’t allowed. ~terri
So eBay is going to arbitrarily tell meta sellers ONLY what price is too high for a piece of jewelry or object? Will they do the same with art objects, paintings, antiques? Value is subjective in so many ways.
ReplyDeletePeople list art and antiques EVERY DAY that is priced based on many intangible and subjective factors.
I call BS on eBay!
ReplyDeleteThis again is a discriminatory move against occult ideology and beliefs.
ReplyDeleteThe way a market works is if a price is too high-the item does not sell. Value is subjective to individuals.
ReplyDeleteSo a silver ring listed by a jewelry seller at 200.00 is OK but the SAME ring listed by a metaphysical seller at 200.00 with attached energies is subject to being pulled?
This blog is becoming so large I dont want anything lost in the shuffle so I will add this on every page. When the eBay smoke clears and we have all done what we each decided to do to protect ourselves we are planning on forming a meta site in the forms of eBay for all of us to join and drive traffic to. For everyone that emailed me already I have received them and will introduce everyone in some type of format in the coming future. For the rest that still want in please email me here: thirdeyemaster1@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteIf you still want more info look through the posts on what we are proposing.
Good Luck my friends.
Methias Chinoa - Thirdeyecommunications ~ Mrs. Gula
I am going ahead and hired some of my people to begin the process of building the mega meta marketplace. It will cost several thousand but will be highly advanced and unique. I will foot the bill, that is not a problem. Follow updates on its new facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/MagickMarket
DeleteMagickMarket.com is the name chosen by several of us.
That way in case something happens it can be ready. I will update all those that have emailed me shortly.
IMPORTANT!
ReplyDeleteI have gotten so MANY emails from sellers who have been contacted saying they talked to eBay and their listings are allowed and it's business as usual. PLEASE do not put your business in the hands of a CS rep! What they tell you ultimately means nothing if they don't have the right info-words are just words. Based on the many conflicting reports NOTHING is certain yet. STOP BEING OSTRICHES WITH YOUR HEADS IN THE SAND! If eBay allows spell cast or spirit bound jewelry it will be wonderful but it's looking more and more like it IS out. Come the end of the first week of September you could get so many listings pulled and the resulting policy violations your accounts could be suspended for good. Maybe THIS IS eBay's plan?
http://community.ebay.co.uk/topic/Business-Seller-News/Psychic-Readings-Spells/18000466497?start=24
ReplyDeletePlease read this....I found it in the discussion boards. The posts made from James, Ebay rep of UK, are good ones. And, the final post, is made by President of Ebay. It's at least clarifying of what they expect from us.