Another poll do we need a report the seller

[marschenegger]

I find myself still reluctant to give sellers a tool that could be used for malicious purposes, like revenge against other sellers who have done nothing wrong, or just for competition. For instance, someone lists a bunch of identical items to what I'm selling, so I report them to try to get their items removed so I have less competition. Not saying I would do that, but I do notice a competitive streak in some sellers here...

Anyhow, I'm just covering old ground.

Mark

[birdwatcher2008]

I voted yes. I believe TPTB could discern between valid and malicious reporting. And I'm sure there would be a condition that unwarrented reporting could result in account suspension.

[astral276]

I find myself still reluctant to give sellers a tool that could be used for malicious purposes...

The provision of a Report Seller facility gives no greater tool of malice then the existing Report Auction. The individual has no power to remove a seller's listings; only eBid can do that.

All the Report Seller would do is to make clear that it is not a perceived problem with an individual listing but with the activities of the Seller in general.

I would hope that eBid would, and does already, treat malicious reports as a serious matter and penalise the person making such a report.

[hopeful2]

I voted yes ...

[theweaverboy]

I don't list anything that is against the rules, and why somethings are unsavory to some I really don't like the idea of a snitch button.

And I guess it is true that competitors might try something, but if the listing isn't a violation it would be kind of pointless to report it.

If a informer report is found to be malicious what would be the penalty?

[gramma1111]

I don't list anything that is against the rules, and why somethings are unsavory to some I really don't like the idea of a snitch button.

And I guess it is true that competitors might try something, but if the listing isn't a violation it would be kind of pointless to report it.

If a informer report is found to be malicious what would be the penalty?

I wouldn't call it a snitch button, I would classify it to be more of a safety button. For example, the problem the other night was twofold. 1. The seller was selling their items in the wrong category, or I should say hiding it in an unrelated category. 2. The most important, was that at least one of those dvd's appeared to be child porn. Now I will not be involved with any business that does not remove child porn from their site. In the U.S., as you well know, eBid would be shut down in a heartbeat. I really don't want that to happen. eBid did the right thing by shutting them down, and I applaud them for it. Snitch button, I don't think so......Safety button, yes.

[poppa501]

Tough call

It could be badly abused

In any event, reported items need to be scrutinised by a human

Perhaps for certain types of violations that human should just automatically check the sellers other listings

Maybe the number of listings for new/ no feedback sellers should be limited to just a few

Anything can be abused. I feel that a report is just that--a report. I must then assume (I know, I know) that someone will check on the report and take whatever action necessary. If it turns out that someone is abusing the system, then the powers that be should come down on them.

Love to all
Poppa

[marschenegger]

If the administration team was really interested in cleaning up the listings, then I would be partially favourable toward having a report seller button. Unfortunately, I don't get that impression. They have the ultimate power to push the delete button, but they are either not interested or just lack manpower because they can't afford to have dedicated persons for site security. We do all the work, just like with making listings, and because that puts the little person in charge (in effect), I'm not fond of the idea. If the same deranged minds that sell child porn DVDs in the pottery section have equal access to these tools as the honest sellers, bad situations could arise. At the very least, good sellers could get suspended for very minor infractions. For instance, I'm not sure if this is totally accurate, but soliciting offers in your listings is probably against the rules because it gives buyers and sellers the opportunity to sell outside of eBid. And yet there is another poll on this forum board where members are advocating this infraction, and some have even stated they are currently soliciting best offers (haggling). Whether or not it's against the rules, I don't want to see someone go down in flames because they were reported by someone likening themselves to the Auction Police. There are enough of those bozos on feeBay and, in particular, on pogo.c*m where just telling someone to shut up in a chat room will get you suspended.

In summary, I believe that the current administration of eBid would be too reactionary to any and all reports received. I don't believe they would take the time to research a seller's activities before hitting the delete button. Some will say this is a good thing, and the few honest sellers who will be suspended over trifling issues are "collateral damage" in the bigger picture of cleaning up eBid. Maybe that's true, but if you're one of those sellers who gets taken down, I doubt you would call yourself "collateral damage" and say that "at least the system is working".

Just my two cents.
Mark

[birdwatcher2008]

I believe that the current administration of eBid would be too reactionary to any and all reports received. I don't believe they would take the time to research a seller's activities before hitting the delete button.

I disagree. You aren't giving the guys enough credit. They know very well what thier rules are and could use our help finding the bad eggs, so to speak. And the majority of those voting here agree that there is a need for a "report seller" button.

[canuckbid]

I disagree. You aren't giving the guys enough credit. They know very well what thier rules are and could use our help finding the bad eggs, so to speak. And the majority of those voting here agree that there is a need for a "report seller" button.

This is abit off topic but a couple of days ago I noticed a picture of a woman with a sexy garment on the left display column in closing auctions. It blatantly had copywrite protected all over it and it was being displayed by a seller. They have thousands of listings. Not sure if that was an oversight or when people get so many listings they are not monitored good enough even by themselves.