Removal of listings by eBay due to below-average service status
Summary: The discussion revolves around the removal of listings on a platform due to an below-average service status. auto-bochum24 and other participants discuss how this decision has affected their experiences and business activities. There are several posts discussing different times of removal and possible impacts on the service.
Hello community, I’d like to start a topic here about “eBay removing listings because of an below-average service status.”
The following happened: I sell used car parts in an eBay Top Shop. Last year I had 9 defects, i.e. 2.69%. I was unable to deliver the sold parts (some parts could no longer be found and two or three had storage damage), and then I slipped into below-average service status, which meant that eBay increased the sales commission from 12% to 18% (6% more for below-average service status). The last defect was on November 16, 2025. At the end of April, eBay started removing my listings, and continues to do so to this day. Of the originally about 2,300 listings at the end of April, 2,231 were removed, 44 remained, and about 30 were sold during that time. eBay removed 98% of the listings from my shop. I am practically excluded from trading. To get into above-average service, I now have to sell 116 items, then I will reach a service status of 2%, but how is that supposed to work with 44 items? Even if 100 additional items are approved next month, it still won’t be manageable. I’d be interested to know whether anyone has had similar experiences and how long it took until sales returned to normal. To illustrate, I’m also posting a screenshot.
sunrise1605
·2 months agoYeah, that’s the downward spiral of Ebay. Because of the sanctions, it’s almost impossible to get out of it again.
What many sellers do in that situation:
Sell fast-moving items, even ones outside their own industry.
Whatever it is, it has to sell quickly so you get lots of transactions that bring your status back up.
People also like to sell vouchers from the big A, €1.20 voucher for €1, €2 for €1.80 etc.
That apparently works pretty well, don’t ask why people buy that stuff.
Of course you have to be quick about it.
Alternatively, always have an ace up your sleeve, like @rest-fest described, at least a 2nd account, fully set up and ready to switch over when things get tight on one.
rest-fest
·2 months agoYou always have to keep an eye on your service status and do the math carefully.
Service status and service statistics have to be considered separately.
A commercial seller should have an alternative, Plan B, in other words one or more commercial backup accounts, as allowed by eBay policy.
You’ve fallen below average in service status.
This can always be avoided and you can always have top ratings. The service status includes
- items shipped too late
- cases closed without seller resolution
You just have to ship everything on time with tracking and resolve every problem yourself!
Don’t cancel any purchases yourself because it’s not there!
If you can no longer find an item or it’s damaged, ship it anyway or something alternative that could fit. Do it on time and with the tracking number entered. Then items shipped too late or not shipped at all are off the table. If the buyer then opens a case because of an item that differs from the description (wrong item), refund quickly and close the case, making it consequence-free for your service status. You resolved the case yourself. Never let eBay decide anything for you. Give the buyer the item = you have no return shipping costs, apologize nicely, offer them something unbeatable. Mistakes can always happen. Sure, red or neutral may follow, but that does not count toward your status. That way you can always have top ratings. Your mistakes just must not get out of hand.
Then there are the service statistics. Here, in my view, there is a somewhat opaque comparison with other members (peer group). A defect for “item not as described” remains with you here.
Too many defects will trigger penalty fees. If you start heading toward red = very high = penalty percentages, pull the ripcord. Use another account and keep selling. After a year, everything is easy again.
This does not violate eBay rules. Only once you have been sanctioned by eBay is a new account or switching to a backup account (like in your case now) no longer possible. So always be careful to stay just under the AI radar.
Alternatively, I recommend working carefully. Always check eBay items exactly, handle them like raw eggs, and look for/avoid the mistakes in your own processes.
auto-bochum24
OP2 months agoThanks for the tips. If I set up a second account, can I transfer all existing ads to the account?
perfect-sally
·2 months agoWith a new account, you’ll probably be limited at first and won’t be able to post as many items online.
And if you find a way or a tool with which such a transfer is possible without any problems, then you can transfer whatever ebay allows.
rest-fest
·2 months ago@auto-bochum24
You already have an account restriction with this account, otherwise not such a number of listings would have been ended. You often can’t simply open a second account to get around suspensions and limits. That would be a violation of the rules (principles).
eBay only allows switching to another, new account if all issues with the previous one have been resolved. I’m afraid you’ll now have to hold out for the year until your defects are gone or find the fast movers recommended by @sunrise1605 and make a lot of sales.
It would also be possible to operate under a new company. Are you a sole proprietor? Then a GbR or something similar would be an option. But that also costs money at first. Deregister the business, register a new one shortly after, then you have a new business and a new VAT ID. Possibly a business location with a new address. That could work too. Let a lawyer advise you if necessary.
I can only give my opinion on this. Only a specialist can say what eBay allows and what is legally possible.
When taking over listings, you won’t be spared a lot of hard work and manual effort.
auto-bochum24
OP2 months agoThank you, very helpful.