Something new at E-Bay?

[t4runner]

I received this e-mail from E-Bay concerning a Snap On tool I was selling. They removed the listing because I didn't have the rights owners permission to use their trade mark. I did have a photo of the Snap On logo in my listing ( a photo of the wrench where it has the logo ) Anyone else ever have this happen? Its a first for me.

This is the pertinent part of the E-Mail
"After reviewing your eBay account, we've taken the following action:
- Listings have been removed. A list of items that were removed can be viewed at the bottom of this message.
- We have credited any associated fees to your account.

Your listing was reviewed after receiving a report from the rights owner that your listing used their trademark without their permission. We urge you to contact the rights owner directly for more information about why they requested the review of your listing and whether you can relist the item."

 

[Skin]

99% of the time this is because of stock photo use, saying the tool has a lifetime warranty, or copy/pasting text directly from their online catalog.

 

[t4runner]

99% of the time this is because of stock photo use or copy/pasting directly from their online catalog.

I used a photo I had taken with my camera.
I also always state in my listings that there is no warranty.

 

[SMKS]

Sometimes it just happens. Relist it and see what happens.

 

[Flatintoone]

I've had it happen before. I was selling a Blue Point adjustable wrench. It said "Snap-On" right on it. They still removed it. My understanding of the problem was that I had used "Snap-On" and "Blue Point" in the subject, and their algorithm marks that as keyword spamming. I sent an email that was never answered. I suppose I could have raised a fuss, but there was no point in that. I reworded the subject so it didn't say "Snap-On", and the wrench sold for a nice profit.

A couple of weeks after that, I listed a couple other adjustable wrenches as 'Crescent-type'. Apparently Crescent has a similar procedure to protect their trademark, and they were also removed.

 

[3baygarage]

Like Skin said, I believe the warranty thing is one reason.
They take down listings just for using the brand name though too. I had some SO tools listed in a week long auction once and they removed the listing just minutes before the auction end.

On another occasion they removed the listing AFTER the item sold! I had to use payment info to get the seller's shipping address.

Petty if you ask me. Sometimes I wonder is it even Snap On doing that does it or is it other sellers flagging adds to weed out competition and make sure their **** sells. Doesn't matter much to me because when I do sell I rarely ever sell anything SO.

 

[JonnyMac]

Thats pretty rich seeing as they knowingly allow the sale of fake goods.
I bought some mechanix wear gloves that were good but fake. Told eBay and they didnt give a ****. They even allowed the seller to continue with the top seller logo or badge thing they have on their profile..

 

[BFBOB]

It isn't fair. I tried selling a Rolex hang tag from a watch my uncle had bought decades ago. Many, many identical tags for sale, but my listing was cancelled. I talked to a rep (!) who said it was because my authentic tag might be used by someone else to try to authenticate a fake watch! Well, WTF about all the others for sale??? I made it my mission for the next week or two to report every listing of Rolex tags. Not a single one was cancelled. "Flagging other sellers' ads" sure didn't work for me.

 

[Conductor562]

The photo of the Snap-On logo is why it was removed.

 

[BradCMSP]

eBay can be screwy. I had a personally owned ADT DVR system for security cameras.

Tried to sell it, they kept removing the listing as it was listed "new-in box" and claimed that since I was not ADT I could not sell it as such.

Well, it was new, it was in the box. Never hooked up, never plugged in. Listed it as used, with the description stating it was new, and why it was listed as such. eBay pulled that three or four times until someone bought it before they could pull it.

 

[Zedexseven]

Welcome to e-bay, unfortunately it's how they operate and certain key brand names are carefully monitored, likely due to previous lawsuit threats, I often sell motorcycle parts, Honda seems to be a big red flag, I've never had any other brand cancelled.

Another one that drives me nuts is when they cancel what they call a duplicate listing, I can understand duplicate items on new parts but I've had different used items at different prices with different pictures cancelled.

 

[t4runner]

Thanks for the information. I guess its hit or miss with E-Bay, it just seemed silly with so many listings that use logos in their adds. I have been selling tools on E-bay for maybe 15 years and this has never happened to me before.

 

[Davefr]

I'm all for DRM and the protection of intellectual property rights by their owners.

However the problem is that the right's owners can complain to Ebay for anything under the guise of DRM and Ebay cowtowers to their request and removes the listing without making sure the violation is legitimate.

The seller never gets a straight answer or the right to appeal if there never was a valid violation.

 

[ken w.]

I've had Blue Point wrenches on Ebay and had my auction pulled. It happens alot.I would relist it and see what happens.

 

[Hootbro]

you are not gonna win or get a straight answer from Ebay. Like other said, just re-list and do not use any proprietary logo photos unless it is on the tool itself.

 

[t4runner]

you are not gonna win or get a straight answer from Ebay. Like other said, just re-list and do not use any proprietary logo photos unless it is on the tool itself.

I have already re-listed it, but again the only logo I used was that which was on the tool it self.