OT: Ebay Removed My Derek Jeter 1997 Topps Auto Card

[mighty bombjack]

Originally Posted by Runscott

Chris, I'm wondering - since this actually impacts your business, thus your livelihood, even if on a very minute scale - couldn't you take ebay to small claims court? At that point, they would kind of be forced to research the two incidents, would identify the employee who seems to have a personal vendetta against you, and he would probably be fired. Does that seem logical, or am I missing something?

I am not a lawyer, and anyone can file suit for anything in this country, but nobody has the inherent right to use ebay. They are a company selling their service. It seems that ebay would simply say that a user was negatively affecting their business, and then it would be on the plaintiff to prove discrimination, no?

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by mighty bombjack

I am not a lawyer, and anyone can file suit for anything in this country, but nobody has the inherent right to use ebay. They are a company selling their service. It seems that ebay would simply say that a user was negatively affecting their business, and then it would be on the plaintiff to prove discrimination, no?

I don't think companies can enforce their own rules differently against different people. But what I've tried to emphasize is that this is about a single vindictive employee, not the entire company. I think that if the company knew what was going on, they would fire the employee. But maybe not - perhaps they have an entire department of vigilantes who go out and try to drive undesirable sellers batty through random rule enforcement.

[Mr. Zipper]

Originally Posted by Runscott

But what I've tried to emphasize is that this is about a single vindictive employee, not the entire company. I think that if the company knew what was going on, they would fire the employee. But maybe not - perhaps they have an entire department of vigilantes who go out and try to drive undesirable sellers batty through random rule enforcement.

Speculation obviously, but I agree.

I don't think eBay is officially targeting anyone or has a policy to intimidate and harass critics.

But is it possible there are bad elements in the hobby that have their "man on the inside"? Could there be a rogue element within eBay in the pocket of certain sellers?

Over the past 6 months or so, based on the consistent pattern of a) mass-produced bad material no longer being regularly removed as it once was, and b) bad things suddenly happening to critics, it seems clear to me.

[drcy]

...

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Mr. Zipper

Speculation obviously, but I agree.

I don't think eBay is officially targeting anyone or has a policy to intimidate and harass critics.

But is it possible there are bad elements in the hobby that have their "man on the inside"? Could there be a rogue element within eBay in the pocket of certain sellers?

Over the past 6 months or so, based on the consistent pattern of a) mass-produced bad material no longer being regularly removed as it once was, and b) bad things suddenly happening to critics, it seems clear to me.

Your scenario makes sense - I hadn't thought of anything like that.