I don't think I would have minded eBay's removing my AD if they equally applied these policies. But when I responded that I don't understand why or how my AD's are removed in less than 24hrs when I see MANY, MANY other AD's by larger sellers running for days doing the same thing. They A)Ignored my email and B)Didn't remove the other ADs. I even sent them links to the ADs that violate their policies and they still won't pull them. Below is a complete copy of my email. PLEASE write and complain if you believe this is an unfair practice.... THANKS ~ Tom Scata (thetubeguy1954)
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To Whom It May Concern,

I'm quite outraged that you've now pulled my AD to sell my Stromberg-Carlson 15" coaxial speakers for a second time. In order to sell my speakers quickly I browsed through your AD's looking for how your larger sellers worded their ADs. I fiqured I would copy what those who are suceeding do. So after reading many titles and ADs, I posted my first Stromberg-Carlson AD. Imagine my surprise when it was pulled in less that 24hrs for using the word LIKE in title and hence violating the COMPARISON policy. Then after about a month I respost my AD and removed the word LIKE from the title. Yet again in less than 24hrs it's pulled for violating the SEARCH MANIPULATION policy.

Your letter stated " Search Manipulation is any practice that results in searches on eBay returning irrelevant listings or that otherwise inhibits a user's ability to accurately locate specific items. Specifically, your listing inappropriately referenced another company's brand in the listing title. Our Search Manipulation policy prohibits the inclusion of any brand names or company logos in listings other than the specific brand name used by the company that manufactured or produced the item listed. Since your listing description does not indicate that the item listed is manufactured or licensed by the company referenced, the brand may not be included in the listing title."

Now I must protest your removing my AD because as I am only COPYING what I see done day-in and day-out on eBay. Below are all AD's presently running on eBay (on 12/19/04) in the same catagory, Vinatge Speakers, that my AD was in and removed from. Please explain why these AD's can run, while my AD is pulled for doing the very same thing?

radiolee ( 423)
Title = Very Rare Jensen 8" Alnico Driver Like Altec 755A Item number: 5738840455
Link = http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=50597&item=5738840455&rd=1

Notice that this person has 423 feedback responses indicating a lot of activity on ebay. In addition he violates the SEARCH MANIPULATION & COMPARISON policies by using the word LIKE and mentioning Altec while selling a Jensen speaker.

ducatidesmo ( 238)
Title = AER MD3 - No Lowther Fostex Item number: 5738682871
Link = http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=50597&item=5738682871&rd=1

Now this person has 238 feedback responses which also indicating a lot of activity on ebay. In addition he violates the SEARCH MANIPULATION & COMPARISON policies by using the word NO and mentioning Lowther and Fostex while selling an AER speaker.

ilu ( 493)
Title = Stephens Trusonic duplex speaker in Karlson cabinet Item number: 5738592512
Link = http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=50597&item=5738592512&rd=1

This person has 493 feedback responses indicating a lot of activity on ebay. In addition he violates the SEARCH MANIPULATION & COMPARISON policies by stating in his AD "this speaker is COMPARABLE to Western Electric and SIMILAR to Altec 604B, 604E or as such." Yet he is selling a Stephens Trusonic speaker.

gplito ( 175)
Title = ALTEC ELECTROVOICE KLIPSHORN VINTAGE AMERICAN Item number: 5738590338
Link = http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=50597&item=5738590338&rd=1

This person has 175 feedback responses but this is still a lot of activity on ebay. In addition he violates the SEARCH MANIPULATION & COMPARISON policies by mentioning Altec, Electrovoice, and Klipshorn all in the same title.

buck777music ( 54)
Title = vintage Arkay 12" speakers not Altec, Trusonic or EV Item number: 5738400282
Link = http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=50597&item=5738400282&rd=1

This person has only 54 feedback responses. Still he is allowed to violate the SEARCH MANIPULATION & COMPARISON policies by using the words NOT Altec, Trusonic or EV, while selling a Arkay speaker.

what*modern*was ( 3787)
Title = 60's Utah 12" Coaxial Speakers Mint! altec tannoy era
Link = http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=50597&item=5738378864&rd=1

Now this person has a whopping 3787 feedback responses indicating a lot of activity on ebay.A true power-seller. He violates the SEARCH MANIPULATION & COMPARISON policies by using the words Altec and Tannoy, when selling a Utah speaker.

eyesprize ( 968)
Title = Stephens Tru-sonic jbl altec western electric trusonic
Link = http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=50597&item=4511966878&rd=1

This person has 968 feedback responses indicating considerable activity on ebay. In addition he violates the SEARCH MANIPULATION & COMPARISON policies by using the words Stephens Tru-Sonic, JBL, Altec and Western Electricc while selling a Stephens speaker.

drewsappraisals ( 113)
Title = Vintage Eletro-Voice SP-15 Speakers - Like Altec
Link = http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=50597&item=5737649577&rd=1

This person has 113 feedback responses indicating a bit of activity on ebay. In addition he violates the SEARCH MANIPULATION & COMPARISON policies by using the word LIKE and mentioning Altec while selling a ElectroVoice speaker.


I found ALL these violations by doing a quick check of the titles of AD currently running in Vinatge Speakers. I find it very suspect that you astute people who pull my AD in less that 24hrs cannot see or find such flagrant violations of your Search Manipulation and Comparison polices, when it's done by your other larger members. However when someone like me with only 14 feedback responses does the VERY SAME THING, you remove my AD.

Please know that now that I have informed you of these violations, I'll be monitoring to see if these AD's are removed or allowed to continue. I'll be saving copies of this email and all responses that pertain to it and finally I'll be contacting my attorney to see if it's lawful for eBay to apply it's stated policies in such a manner as to enable it's larger sellers an advantage in selling by overlooking violations of eBay's written policy, while hindering the sales of smaller members by enforcing these same policies. Perhaps you've overlooked these violations, which I highly doubt, but now that I've made you aware of them I expect them to be removed with the same promptness you've removed mine. I will also be mentioning and calling attention to these tactics in the Audio online forums.

Sincerely,

Tom Scata (thetubeguy1954)

Single Ended Triode Amps Group
Central Florida Audio Society