A couple of good changes coming...
Enforcing policy violation consequences and mitigationLast fall we changed our PowerSeller eligibility requirements to include new thresholds [
http://www2.ebay.com/aw/core/200506230938202.html] on policy compliance. As a result, we've removed some sellers who were repeat violators of
ebay's policies from the program. We feel this has enhanced the reputation of the program overall. It's also made the marketplace more safe and fair for the vast majority of good sellers and PowerSellers who play by the rules.
We're also working on more consequences we can apply when sellers violate policies that will help change their problem listing behaviors in a positive way. Until recently,
ebay could only warn or suspend accounts, so we've had to build more options that encourage education and rehabilitation. We'll be adding new consequences in 2006, which include:
Restricting repeat policy violators' ability to list items for a period of time - Depending on how often a seller has violated our policies in a 90-day period, they may be required to complete a 15-minute tutorial, or they could be restricted from listing new items for up to 3 days. We think of these consequences as "speed bumps" that can slow accounts down just long enough for them to be educated on the policy. Then they can get back on track.
Retaining
ebay fees when cancelling a repeat violator's listings for List Practices violations - If a seller repeatedly violates policies in a 90-day period despite previously having taken a tutorial on those policies, we're going to keep their listing and feature fees on subsequent listing cancellations that violate policy. We feel it is important to instill a financial penalty to protect the level playing field when our other efforts to educate and change behavior have failed.
Making it easy to detect policy violationsOne of the most important ways we learn about listings that violate our policies is through reports from other Community members. You've told us that the process for reporting suspicious activity has been too cumbersome. So to make it easier for members to send us these reports, in the spring of 2006, every item page will have a "Report this Item" link at the bottom of the page. This link will bypass the Contact Us flow and take you to a list of possible reasons why a listing needs to be brought to our attention. It will save you valuable time and help us review the listing quickly.
Posted 01/26/2006 10:51 pm
