Quick question for any EBAY EXPERTS out there...

15 replies
Is this scenario against ebay TOS?...

1) Ebay "User A" is a seller.

2) His ebay account gets permanently banned + suspended.

3) His "solution" is: find another ebay user ("User B"), and get User B
to let him USE HIS ACCOUNT, PRETENDING TO BE "User B"
as a way of still selling on ebay, even though his "real" original account
was permanently banned + suspended.

If this scenario *IS* against the rules (+ I suspect that it is),
can you give a *LINK* to the specific rule?

Thanks!

-- TW
#account #ebay #suspended
  • Profile picture of the author KenW3
    There is no rule against another eBay seller using his account to sell for other people. The only place new sellers run into serious trouble is if they are representing someone with stolen or defective merchandise, and try that doing drop-shipping from the supplier without knowing the source of the products.

    Any new eBay seller offering the merchandise wouldn't need to 'pretend to be' someone else, as they can sell anything allowed by eBay through their accounts. The eBay Sell For Me program is directly through eBay itself; All links to their previous valet service directory of sellers now is redirected to this link.
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    • Profile picture of the author TimothyW
      Originally Posted by KenW3 View Post

      There is no rule against another eBay seller using his account to sell for other people. The only place new sellers run into serious trouble is if they are representing someone with stolen or defective merchandise, and try that doing drop-shipping from the supplier without knowing the source of the products. If you have been banned from eBay, take a look at Aspkin.com

      Any new eBay seller offering the merchandise wouldn't need to 'pretend to be' someone else, as they can sell anything allowed by eBay through their accounts. The eBay Sell For Me program is directly through eBay itself; All links to their previous valet service directory of sellers now is redirected to this link.
      Just to clarify...

      In my case, *I* am "User B."

      User A is someone I know who WAS suspended + banned because, as I understand it, getting too many neg feedbacks. I'm pretty sure he was not selling anything illegal (I certainly HOPE not!!).

      I do NOT feel comfortable with having someone else pretend to be me -- basically USE my "identity." I was hoping there was some in-place ebay TOS rule I could point to as a reason NOT to let him use my acct.

      -- TW
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      • Profile picture of the author kk075
        Originally Posted by TimothyW View Post

        Just to clarify...

        In my case, *I* am "User B."
        Hey Timothy-

        I'm definitely not an eBay expert but my best friend is, so I have to throw out this little warning. Scam artists will post things on your eBay account, offer you a percentage and then pocket the money...all without sending anyone anything. So the next thing you know, the cops are showing up, you're spending the night in a county jail and it takes months to sort through the process to prove your innocence.

        Now, I don't know if you're talking about a friend or not, but DO NOT do this under any circumstances. There's a reason that person's eBay account was banned and it places 100% of the liability on you. It's not worth it; tell that person to take their items to an eBay reseller and do it that way.

        Sorry if this was already said....I happened to catch it as I was logging out and had to type fast to avoid my wife's wrath. Your photo looked like my pastor though and I wouldn't have slept right if I didn't say anything.
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      • Profile picture of the author DWolfe
        Originally Posted by TimothyW View Post

        Just to clarify...

        In my case, *I* am "User B."

        User A is someone I know who WAS suspended + banned because, as I understand it, getting too many neg feedbacks. I'm pretty sure he was not selling anything illegal (I certainly HOPE not!!).

        I do NOT feel comfortable with having someone else pretend to be me -- basically USE my "identity." I was hoping there was some in-place ebay TOS rule I could point to as a reason NOT to let him use my acct.

        -- TW


        I have read both of your posts and while I sell on E-bay, I would not call my self a expert. However with that said... You say already your not comfortable. That is your sub-conscious telling you not to do it. This time I would listen to this voice. What happens if you begin having problems with your account ? By the time the negative feedback hits, it may take a long time to repair your reputation on E-bay. Ask your self this question. Is it really worth it ?

        At the end of the day if you post a question. Asking if something is right or wrong on this forum. About something you are looking to have answered here, than don't do it. Time to give your friend tough love and learn from life's lessons. Enabling the friend on your site is only going cost you in the end. IMHO
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  • Profile picture of the author KenW3
    If you are 'User B' then I no longer believe your OP is a real question because you are stating that what happened is identity theft and you would take different action than posting a 'scenario' on a forum. Assuming this might be real: If

    Originally Posted by TimothyW

    1) Ebay "User A" is a seller.
    2) His ebay account gets permanently banned + suspended.
    then this has nothing to do with you or your separate seller account. But, as you say

    Originally Posted by TimothyW

    His "solution" is: find another ebay user ("User B"), and get User B to let him USE HIS ACCOUNT, PRETENDING TO BE "User B" as a way of still selling on ebay, even though his "real" original account was permanently banned + suspended.
    and this User B is you?, then nobody is allowed to use your account to sell but you.

    This is exactly like someone being banned on this Warrior Forum, then you allowing this person to post on the Warrior Forum using your user name and Warrior Forum account! Why would you do this?!?

    Originally Posted by TimothyW

    I was hoping there was some in-place ebay TOS rule I could point to as a reason NOT to let him use my acct.
    There is only one person allowed to use an eBay seller account, and that is the account owner. Are you letting him use your account and then are 'not comfortable' this is happening? Do you have any idea just how sick this sounds?

    If what you have said is true and you do not want to be part of a crime and liable for fraud, dial 1-866-322-9105 as soon as you read this and tell eBay someone is using your seller account without your permission. If you do not make this call immediately, you will be just as liable for any fraud as the person who has stolen your account.

    What you are proposing does not have to be in eBay rules because this is illegal. You are stating here that a crime has occurred. Call eBay now and lock your account, then file charges with law enforcement later today to separate yourself from this problem to protect yourself from any future prosecution.
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    • Profile picture of the author TimothyW
      Originally Posted by KenW3 View Post

      If you are 'User B' then I no longer believe your OP is a real question because you are stating that what happened is identity theft and you would take different action than posting a 'scenario' on a forum. Assuming this might be real: If



      then this has nothing to do with you or your separate seller account. But, as you say



      and this User B is you?, then nobody is allowed to use your account to sell but you.

      This is exactly like someone being banned on this Warrior Forum, then you allowing this person to post on the Warrior Forum using your user name and Warrior Forum account! Why would you do this?!?



      There is only one person allowed to use an eBay seller account, and that is the account owner. Are you letting him use your account and then are 'not comfortable' this is happening? Do you have any idea just how sick this sounds?

      If what you have said is true and you do not want to be part of a crime and liable for fraud, dial 1-866-322-9105 as soon as you read this and tell eBay someone is using your seller account without your permission. If you do not make this call immediately, you will be just as liable for any fraud as the person who has stolen your account.

      What you are proposing does not have to be in eBay rules because this is illegal. You are stating here that a crime has occurred. Call eBay now and lock your account, then file charges with law enforcement later today to separate yourself from this problem to protect yourself from any future prosecution.
      Sick?
      A crime?

      Huh?

      This person is a friend. I want to help him out (in general). He was making his living on ebay, and is now in big financial troubles, cuz he lost his means of income -- but I also don't feel right helping him out in this way. So, I am looking for a way to refuse helping him in this way, such as a rule that forbids it.

      ALSO -- you say...

      >>> nobody is allowed to use your account to sell but you. <<<

      and...

      >>> There is only one person allowed to use an eBay seller account, and that is the account owner. <<<

      That's what I would think! -- can you give me a link to that exact ebay rule?

      (note: the other person in this thread says there is no such rule)

      -- TW
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  • Profile picture of the author markbyrne
    I understand your position, Timothy. We're not all made of stone, and need a get-out sometimes.

    My advice is to tell him it constitutes as fraudulent, and your reputation isn't something you want to risk. Then point him here: eBay Suspended? Sell Again With Our Accounts!
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  • Profile picture of the author KenW3
    You did not start this thread by providing full information. I'm sure you know that nobody can help you if you refuse to help yourself. Everything you have written above says you are not happy with someone using your account and pretending to be you, so are looking for some way to stop this.

    I'm sorry you don't see these attempts to help you as useful, but the replies were based on the limited info you provided.

    Originally Posted by TimothyW

    I do NOT feel comfortable with having someone else pretend to be me -- basically USE my "identity."
    You are the person who stated this was identity fraud. Nowhere in your OP did you state you allowed this to happen, so the suggestion you report the problem to protect yourself would have actually been for your benefit (had you not caused this problem originally).

    Originally Posted by TimothyW

    User A is someone I know who WAS suspended + banned because, as I understand it, getting too many neg feedbacks.
    ... so the solution you came up with was to allow this person to do the same product sales under your name using your online reputation, placing your established 15-year-old account at risk. There's a quote about doing the same thing and expecting different results

    I looked at your seller account. You have been a member on eBay since August 17th, 1999 and your account is currently active. You do not have the volume to withstand more than a couple of the new eBay defects, so any problems will cost you the ability to sell through this account. The two negatives already received for these Motorola radio products shows this will be a problem based on the sales volume shown in your account.
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    • Profile picture of the author joseph7384
      Originally Posted by KenW3 View Post

      You did not start this thread by providing full information. I'm sure you know that nobody can help you if you refuse to help yourself. Everything you have written above says you are not happy with someone using your account and pretending to be you, so are looking for some way to stop this.

      I'm sorry you don't see these attempts to help you as useful, but the replies were based on the limited info you provided.



      You are the person who stated this was identity fraud. Nowhere in your OP did you state you allowed this to happen, so the suggestion you report the problem to protect yourself would have actually been for your benefit (had you not caused this problem originally).



      ... so the solution you came up with was to allow this person to do the same product sales under your name using your online reputation, placing your established 15-year-old account at risk. There's a quote about doing the same thing and expecting different results

      I looked at your seller account. You have been a member on eBay since August 17th, 1999 and your account is currently active. You do not have the volume to withstand more than a couple of the new eBay defects, so any problems will cost you the ability to sell through this account. The two negatives already received for these Motorola radio products shows this will be a problem based on the sales volume shown in your account.

      Get a grip and re-read the OP, you are way off the mark here. No crime has been committed, he is simply asking for advice.

      Tim, you need no explanation for your friend if he is a true friend he would not have asked you to jeopardize your account.
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      • Profile picture of the author KenW3
        Originally Posted by joseph7384 View Post

        Get a grip and re-read the OP, you are way off the mark here. No crime has been committed, he is simply asking for advice.
        Perhaps you are correct Based upon the first and third posts, without benefit of subsequent clarification, unfortunately perceived this problem quite differently.
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  • Profile picture of the author Gambino
    Just say "your account was banned. I don't want you using my account. Find someone else's account to use." And change your password. Aren't you both grown men?
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    • Profile picture of the author Steve B
      Tim,

      Can your friend operate with an account in the name of his wife? A married child? Someone else in the family?

      eBay does allow for a person to have more than one account (I checked their terms); however, if your friend tries to start a second account after being banned that most likely won't work.

      I agree with Gambino that if the only option is for you to lend him your account, and you don't want to do that, my response would be . . .

      "Friend, you were suspended and banned because, as I understand it, you received too many negative feedbacks. I value my eBay account and don't want any negative feedbacks. Here are some other options you might try . . ."

      Be open with him and tell him that you value his friendship but can't afford to be associated with any negative eBay feedback on your account.

      Good luck,

      Steve
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      • Profile picture of the author Claire Koch
        I just read you can have 2 accounts thats weird i was reading ebay documentation

        Originally Posted by Steve B View Post

        Tim,

        Can your friend operate with an account in the name of his wife? A married child? Someone else in the family?

        eBay does allow for a person to have more than one account (I checked their terms); however, if your friend tries to start a second account after being banned that most likely won't work.

        I agree with Gambino that if the only option is for you to lend him your account, and you don't want to do that, my response would be . . .

        "Friend, you were suspended and banned because, as I understand it, you received too many negative feedbacks. I value my eBay account and don't want any negative feedbacks. Here are some other options you might try . . ."

        Be open with him and tell him that you value his friendship but can't afford to be associated with any negative eBay feedback on your account.

        Good luck,

        Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author Jorgie
    Hi that is an interesting question. I would suggest you telephone or email Ebay customer services for an accurate answer. Hope this helps. Have a good year.
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