Custom Listings for Specific Buyers (AI issue)
Seeing lots of issues lately with AI so my answer might be “there is no answer, good luck.”
But figured I’d try here.
Tried eBay customer service and the CSR gave me bad advice. They did call me much sooner than my projected time! But yeah she told me something that would work that wouldn’t and was slightly rude.
Been selling since 2006.
Been a top-rated seller since inception circa 2009 (while actively selling).
Issue—>
Listed some trading cards today. Buyer inquired about negotiating even though they were BIN. Entertained them and they then proceeded to ask if I had similar cards not yet listed. Said I did and gave them a list. After a little back and forth and negotiation decided on a deal. Went to create a “custom listing” with a high Best-Offer and then was just going to accept an offer from the buyer at the price we made a deal on.
Listed the trading cards in the correct category. Kept the details very BARE but 100% accurate. Included a single picture of the entire lot. Included each card in the description (with pertinent details like condition). Titled the listing “***Custom*** 7 MTG Card Lot”
Sent the buyer the name of the listing and item number. Very shortly after listing was taken down for “Counterfeit items policy.”
This is when I reached out to eBay customer service. Made a statement and asked the CSR two questions. Said there is absolutely nothing counterfeit here and gave her the circumstances of the listing. Asked 1) is this on my record as a flag/knock against my account and can we please remove it if so. And 2) why is the AI flagging this as counterfeit and how can I create a custom listing.
On March of this year (2 months ago!!) I did something exactly the way as this listing and it was not flagged by AI. Also done this many times in the previous years and no issues.
eBay CSR told me it’s because there was only a single picture. Mentioned that in March of this year I only included a single picture for trading card lot of 12 and no issues. Also find this a bit odd… a requirement for picture quantity? But, ok. Asked her for assurance if I repost the exact same way and with multiple pictures it won’t be flagged by AI. She said yes. …and went on about seemingly irrelevant gibberish (about eBay people checking a listing then AI does… like huh?!?). Pretty sure she was just reading off some script or bloviating as it didn’t even really address my issue of “why” and “how can I do a custom listing.” After I hung up noticed there was an appeal option on the listing so it seems like she definitely could have done something on her side to help get this listing up for the buyer. Anyways… I digress.
After talking to the CSR on the phone, messaged the buyer with an update of the issue and went to do what the CSR advised. …and nope! Guess my other listing is still live though not live so it said “can not create, duplicate listing.” Changed the title to “**Custom** 7 MTG Card Lot *specific buyer” and THEN it worked. Buyer purchased soon after.
However the sale with the second try at the listing is flagged (!!) — while seemingly ok to purchase shipping label and ship. It says “this order has a listing with a policy violation.” It does not say WHAT the policy violation is this time. I plan on printing the label and shipping tomorrow…
So my question(s) is/are—
Is there a new trick to create custom listings when a buyer negotiates or adds items in eBay PMs?
Any idea what caused my first listing to be flagged? I’m not sure it’s actually because of a single picture because the second listing also got flagged (though, again, doesn’t say what policy it specifically violates). And, again, as recently as March I listed a card lot custom listing with a single picture with no issues so either the AI got more aggro in the last two months or maybe my other buyer did grab it before AI flagged… though it wasn’t flagged after the purchase either.
If anyone else has insight or advice here, would be much appreciated. eBay CSR sure didn’t help. Was going to reach back out to eBay IF I run into the same problem again or if I run into an issue when I print and ship the listing with this new “flag” on it.
And booo bad eBay CSRs and current AI implementation 🙁😔.