Still cashing in on eBay “classified ads”
Posted by admin in Uncategorized on Jan 30th, 2007 | 22 commentsI usually do “short” articles, but this week I’ve got a long INFO packed “special report” for you!
You NEED to read this so print it out if you have to.
To get on the same page as me on this issue you need to have watched the two short videos I made regarding the new eBay “classified ad” selling option. If you’ve already seen these videos there is no need to re-watch them.
Here are the links: LINKSÂ MOVED DUE TO HIGH DEMAND
Due to overwhelming response to these revolutionary videos they have been moved to the “resource page” that is only available as a free bonus to customers that buy my book ‘The Silent Sales Machine Hiding on eBay’. These videos were getting thousands of views daily for free and running up my bandwidth bill!
Those videos represent my complete knowledge of “classified ads” on eBay as of a couple weeks ago. Since I first made these videos I’ve learned a bit more about it, but I still have many of the same conclusions. At first it might sound like I’m complaining here…but I’m not. Hang with me. This may come as a shock to you, but it’s pretty much a known fact to many of us that eBay policies can be difficult to understand sometimes. For those of us that seek to squeeze every drop of value out of our “eBay marketing investment” (that’s what you should call your eBay fees), this dilemma can be challenging.
On top of the difficult language often used in the eBay policies, enforcement is frequently random and inconsistent. I could write an entire article on why that is the case, but for now just accept that fact and let’s move on. You won’t find many people that will argue that point…
In the videos above I called the new eBay “classified ads” one of the GREATEST opportunities on the web right now…and I stand behind that statement despite some recent issues that have come up with some subscribers as well as my own ads that I’ve run.
The BIG issue on the table is this:
When using the eBay “classified ad” format are we allowed to put up ads that contain links to external websites?
If the answer is YES, then the potential is MASSIVE even if YOU DON’T HAVE A WEBSITE (i.e. affiliate marketing). If you don’t understand what I’m talking about in this paragraph go back to the top of this article and watch the video.
It would make sense for eBay to post a policy SOMEWHERE on this issue, but as of today there is no policy on this issue.
Consider the following facts and draw your own conclusions:
-The stated purpose of eBay “classified ads” is to generate leads – NOT to sell an item on eBay. If this confuses you watch the video at the top of this article.
-After I had a lengthy conversation (email) with a “Trust and Safety” representative at eBay he admitted that there is not yet a policy on this issue. He also admitted that they understand that classified ads are, in eBay’s own words, a “lead generation” tool and therefore should be allowed to contain links to outside websites in order to be of maximum value to the sellers (us) that use them.
-After a lengthy conversation with a different eBay “support” rep I was told point blank that links to external websites ARE ALLOWED in classified ads.
-I’ve corresponded with a total of five eBay reps on this issue now. Four of them have told me that “external links” and/or “email subscription forms” are allowed, and only one has told me that there isn’t a policy yet, but they don’t think it’s allowed.
-Of the thousands of readers of this newsletter I’ve heard back from TWO of you that say your classified ads were shut down for containing links to external websites. I also had one of my “classified ads” shut down but the cancellation message made no sense and I had an eBay rep tell me that it was shut down in error.
-Right now HUNDREDS of classified ads are running successfully on eBay WITH links to external websites as well as newsletter sign up forms posted RIGHT IN THE AD. This would clearly be a violation of eBay policy in a traditional auction listing, but since “classified ads” are specifically used as lead generation tools it only makes sense. Many of these ads have been up and running for 20 or 25 days. That’s plenty of time for eBay to “shut them down” if a violation is occurring.
-Real estate “classified ads” have been running on eBay for a VERY long time (years?) and nearly all of them contain links to multiple external websites. Savvy real estate agents are using classified ads as a powerful lead generation tool. Why give eBay a percentage of the sale when you can get a HUGE pool of prospects for the price of a classified ad?
-I’m hearing from many readers of this newsletter reporting SUCCESS with classified ads containing links to external websites. This includes affiliate links, lead generation, membership websites etc. These ads are running for WEEKS without any issue.
-The best I can tell about 95% of all classified ads that contain external links are allowed to run the full 30 days without issue. Since there are only about 1,500 non-real estate classified ads running at any given time it makes sense that eBay could shut them all down EASILY any time they wanted to so they must actually be okay with it.
So why are some classified ads shut down?
My theory:
EBay classified ads are fairly new and still very unfamiliar territory for 99.9% of all eBay users and eBay EMPLOYEES. Also, there are plenty of eBay users that I call “violation seekers” that are VERY familiar with the traditional rules on eBay. When these “violation seeking” surfers see a link to an external website within an eBay listing they immediately report what they think is a VIOLATION (this is a violation in a TRADITIONAL auction listing). Next the eBay representative receiving the reported “violation” has about 5 seconds to make a call and decide if the reported “violation” is truly a violation. If this eBay rep is unfamiliar with the new classified ad format or isn’t paying close attention they immediately shut down the auction.
My Conclusion and suggestion.
Experiment with classified ads! Until eBay gets its act together on this issue and puts out a specific policy I suggest we all GO FOR IT. If you are nervous about protecting your main selling account consider seeking the pre-approval of one of the eBay “live chat” reps before posting your ad. If the first one you talk to doesn’t give you a solid answer or doesn’t know, wait awhile and ask another one. I’ve spoken to two of them and they both agreed that external links are allowed.
Finally…
Tell me your experiences on this issue! You don’t have to tell the world your secrets, but tell us if it’s working for you or not! If you’ve heard from eBay on this issue let us know what they said. We are gathering facts that can help us all!
PLEASE Leave your comments and experiences with classified ads below.
22 Responses to “ “Still cashing in on eBay “classified ads””
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Hi Jim,
Would I be able to see one of your classified ads on ebay. I\’ve ran an ad in the past almost 30 days, got 300 hits and 4 clickthroughs where people opted in. I\’m just not happy with it. Thanks for all your help.
Peter
Hi Jim,
Ever since you sent me the first note about Classified Ads I\’ve been using them. I set up my first one that day and it only expired (30 days) a few days ago.
I\’ve tinkered with various styles and content and my current ones so that you can have a look are at the link below …
(link removed) Admin
I\’ve not had any problems (touch wood) and hope it stays that way. Only problem I had initially was that I was a UK Ebayer so didn\’t realise that I had to login to the USA Ebay site first as the UK site only allows Classified Ads for selling cars !
Let me know what you think if you get time ?
Cheers,
Gary
PPS Thanks also for all your help and tips to date
PPPS Check out my latest Ad and let me know you\’re thoughts on the idea ? Could be a good bet long term ?
Sorry Jim! I got shut down for external links twice!
Hi Jim,
My first classified ad ended yesterday, like you I was blown away and stuck something on there quickly in case eBay changed their minds. I was giving away free software, and I linked directly to the site. I had a few hits but the emails I received were from people thinking I was selling a website instead.
I learned something, either I did a poor job of explaining myself or people are still confused. Many of the businesses for sale auctions link you to a “not a working website†website so you can see what the site will look like. I think that is what they mistook my ad for. It was worth the ten dollars for the test.
I plan to do another shortly but I will use my research tools better and perhaps try an email capture free report, with a link inside the report for clarity.
Sincerely,
Dolores
Hi Jim.
Just a word on this classified ad thing. I have been running 3 or 4 ads consistantly since you first opened my eyes to the format (Thank You) and I have had no problems from eBay. In 2 of my ads, I have my opt in form posted right in the ad and I catch about 5 or 6 subscribers a day; Not bad for (pretty much) free.
The traffic I’m getting to the ads is excellent,(between 400 and 500 for the 30 days) so my website traffic has increased significantly. I have a regular site link in my ads as well, which I’m sure is helping to increase my Google ranking, I went from a PR1 to a PR2 within the past week. I’m sure this isn’t all to do with eBay, but it helps.
The other 2 ads I’m currently running are for affiliate products, and while I’m getting alot of traffic, the click thru rate is low. Not much in the way of sales yet, but with a little tweaking, I can probably get some people off the fence before they click my aff. link.
Anyway; that’s my 2 cents worth, I plan on experimenting alot more with this format as I really believe it will be much better as more Customers become educated with it. I think that because you have to state a price for the item, kind of confuses some people, and maybe they expect to get your (affiliate product) for .01 and are disappointed when they arrive at the site and it’s 27.00.
Talk to ya later.
Mike
On Jan 29, I received the following answer from eBay 4 days after I asked them about using links and sign ups for ezines in an Ad Format:
Thank you for writing eBay in regard to your listing concerns.
I understand that you have seen Ad Format listings on eBay and are not
sure what is permitted and what is not permitted on eBay. I would like to
take the opportunity to further clarify this for you.
With Ad Format being a relatively new type of listing, a specific policy
has yet to be defined. That being said, some Ad Formats do violate our
current listing policies. Unfortunately, we will not be able pre-approve
any listings or templates submitted to us for this type of listing.
Generally, Ad Format listings are designed to enable individuals or
groups who offer a range of products or services to increase their
business. Using Ad Format to sell specific items isn\\\’t permitted.
***Example of a permitted Ad Format listing***
I operate a small computer business in Delaware. I can build a single
computer for you, or a fleet of computers for your business. I also
provide technical support, small scale programming, upgrades on existing
equipment, and more. Contact me for details!
***Not Allowed***
I have 3 Intel computers for sale. $400 each. Contact me for details!
(Listings like this one, which offer specific items or services, should
be posted as an auction or using the Fixed Price format.)
+
All listing policies apply to Ad Format listings. Meaning that the
Inappropriate Links policy also applies to Ad Format listings.
Links that provide more detailed information about the subject of your
Ad Format Listing are allowed. However, links to Web sites that offer to
sell, trade, or purchase goods or services are not permitted, except in
the following two cases:
- Your eBay Store
- A seller search
***Important***
The following types of links are also *not* allowed:
- Links — whether static or active — to Web pages that offer to sell,
trade, or purchase goods or services outside of eBay
- Links to Web sites or pages offering merchandise prohibited on eBay
- Links to Web sites that ask for a members User ID, password, or email
address
- Links to Web pages that solicit subscriptions outside of eBay
- Links to Live chat networks outside of eBay
For more information about the eBay Inappropriate Links policy, please
visit:
http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/listing-links.html
If you need further assistance, please do not hesitate to reply to this
email and let us know.
Sincerely,
Felipe
eBay Trust and Safety
 [[reply from Jim]] :We have a choice to make as eBay sellers. When eBay says you can not do X, but here is a great new eBay tool that allows you to do X, what do you do? I say we do X until they clarify what the heck they are trying to do. It seems to me that only about 1 in 20 classified ads are getting shut down and most of those that are shut down are later determined to have been shut down in error.
I wish I could talk to the eBay rep Felipe because his answer above makes little sense to me. If that answer is suppposed to clarify the issue he has failed miserably. There are so many conflicts in ebay policy that it almost makes your head spin. Here are a few issues that give me a headache:
-According to the eBay rep Felipe classified ads can not be used to sell individual items. That makes NO sense. If we can not sell an individual item in a classified ad why do we have to fill in a pricing field when setting up a classified ad? What exactly are we pricing if not an individual item?? Am I nuts or does that make absolutely NO SENSE!!
-Next Felipe says that all listing policies apply to classified ads. That makes very little sense FELIPE. For example, traditional ebay listings MUST OFFER AN ITEM FOR SALE (according to Felipe classifieds can not do this). Next, traditional ebay listings (auction format) are specifically designed to sell items but classified ads are for the sole purpose of GETTING LEADS (from eBay.com: Use the classified ad format to…generate multiple leads). COME ON EBAY!! If classified ads are used to generate leads then let us GENERATE LEADS without confusing nonsensical policies that tell us we CAN NOT generate leads. What are we paying for when we buy an eBay classified ad? LEADS!!
-According to eBay.com the information products category is elligible for classified ads. Could someone at eBay.com please show me ONE example of a classified ad for an information product that meets all of the policies mentioned above by Felipe? The simple fact is it can not be done. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DO. Information products are sold on websites. If I can not mention my website how can I sell an info product?
EBAY PLEASE READ THIS: If you want to create a KILLER INCOME STREAM for eBay.com write your policies so that they clearly OPEN UP THE FLOODGATES on classified ads. Your policies are horribly unclear on this issue and it is becoming very frustrating watching the random application of random policies to random listings.
Hey Jim,
You have no reason to fear sullying your good name using the classified ads because no one has the chance/ability to leave feedback at all. I had one of the classified ads shut down because I selected “real estate” as the format for my ad although it was not real estate. The reason I made the mistake is because the classified ad option was not available when I was posting the ad. I have noticed that when you are posting a classified ad, that third format option is sometimes real estate and sometimes classified ad. Just refresh your browser and it will eventually come up as classified.
I have made very little using the ads so far. But mostly I have been experimenting. The featured auction option really brought some traffic to the ad so it is definetly a must. A little polish on the sales copy and money will be made.
Thanks Jim
Thad
Thad
Hi Jim,
Thank you for telling all of us about the classified ads. I posted 4 ads and 3 of them contain direct links to external websites. So far, I am not experiencing any problems with eBay and I already received a few leads. In your article you mention violation seekers. My concern is that my ads could get shut down as the result of some violation seekers / competitors. Sometimes I get listings removed because some violation seekers file malicious affidavids (under penalty of perjury). When I complain with the vero department I always get this response:
\”We can certainly understand your concern in this matter. Unfortunately,
eBay is not in a position to provide you with legal advice. If you have
questions about your rights and you feel it would be appropriate, you
may wish to consult with an Intellectual Property attorney.\”
Of course, this response from eBay does not help. Also, I am not able to relist my items unless I sue the violation seeker and I provide the vero department with a judgment. Furthermore, I have to fear that my account will get suspended because of these alleged listing violations. Is there a newsletter with advise how do deal with this issue? Your help is appreciated.
Regards,
Harry
I had run about 8 or 9 ads all with affiliate links with a lot of success. Although I did not get shut down by Ebay, I did get a letter from Commission Junction saying that my account will be shut down because I cannot put CJ links on sites that I do not own (Ebay) – this is in the CJ TOS which I didn’t know since I’ve been a member for a while and haven’t read the TOS in years. So if you use affiliate links make sure they’re not from CJ.
I agree with Jim, until eBay stands up and says no links to outside sites, do it. Based on the emails I am getting from ebay searchers my ads are being reported to eBay for violating different rules. I’m currently getting more emails telling me I am violating rules, than I am getting sales. I haven’t gotten any emails from eBay or had any ads shut down.
I am leaning toward the shortest ads possible. A headline, a few statements to build interest and then a link. Then another line saying “please don’t use the eBay contact button, just click on the link below.”
There is more to this than meets the eye.
Jim,
I have been runnning 2 ads for a little over 2 weeks with no problems & have made a profit…..
Just when I was going to email you that I was having no problem, BUSTED! Shut down my two sites and reported that I was listed in the Real Estate Investing catagory which I was not. In 2 weeks I got over 150 hits, 1 lead and no money yet. This sounded like a great idea at first.
Joe
[[reply from Jim]]- When I had one shut down eBay accused me of using the Real Estate category as well. They don\’t know which end is up on this one…I know I wasn\’t using the real estate category and I\’m sure you weren\’t either. How frustrating! We are going to stick with this issue until eBay says something that makes sense though…and keep playing with classified ads!!Â
Hi Jim,
Just thought I would put in my 2 cents, for what they are worth…
I ran a classified ad on ebay displaying an opt-in form for a free special report, when they subscribed to my mini-course…
Then, I displayed a few main points to my website with a link directed to my website.
The ad ran for 5 days, but today was shut down because of “violation of external linking policy” or something like that.
They also said that I was listed in the real estate category.
I sent them a response explaining my situation, and also asking them what’s going on with the real estate classification (my ad has nothing to do with real estate and was not posted in the real estate category).
I don’t know if this helps anyone else or not, but I just thought I would share my current experience so that we can all figure this thing out better.
Thanks for reading my post,
Neil
Hi Jim,
I posted about a week ago (I think) stating that I’d had no problems … next day one of my Classified Ads shutdown ! I had about 7 running at the time (all with external links) so why they just picked on that one I don’t know. I was also as the other respondents accused of listing it in the wrong “Real Estate” category which I KNOW I didn’t because the one that was shut down had already run ok for 30 days under the Everything Else category and I had simply re-listed it ! Weird or what ? I immediately sent an email querying their decision (and logic) but have heard nothing since !
Been runing classified ads with links for over a month and no problems so far.
Greg D, you might remind Commission Junction that your eBay listing is your properety. The ebay website your listing is on is yours for the time you have bought the use of it. You have a contract with eBay to use it for 30 days. Let CJ chew on that.
Hi.
I posted a classified to promote an affiliate website/link last week and my listing was canceled the following day by eBay and the owner of the site from Clickbank contacted me that I was violating eBay and his company’s policy of promoting his site. I’ve been warned by eBay not to do it again or else my account will be suspended.
What’s going on? Please advise.
Thanks,
Rafnie
Hi Jim,
A belated congrats to your Colts.
I’ve used the ad format about 4x. No problems so far except my copy needs tweaking. Lots of traffic, no sales yet.
Regards,
Ray
Jim,
I did the online chat with someine that said sge thought I couldn’t link to a website from an ad. Anyone got an update? I hope you will send us info as soon as ebay changes its policies, if ever.
Also, is there any penalty for having listings shutdown?
Thanks a bunch.
Susan
Hi Jim,
This is got my blood pumping. I will give it a try right away. Appreciate all the comments here!
Thanks!
Steve Renner
Jim,
i purchased your silent sales`machine ebook on your site a `while back and I was impressed with it’s details on ebay. I have since purchased an ebook store business.I learned a lot and now have my about me page set up with a link to your free newsletter. I just have to be patient and wait for the customers to find their way to your site and hopefully this will result in some affiliate commisions
Hi Folks,
I have a local-based service business as well as an industry-related Blog, and used an eBay Classified Ad to refer readers there. I used 2 links within the body copy, and had no problems. My ad ran the full 30 days and just expired.
I plan to do some tweaks to the copy, and rerun it again, likely starting today. IMO, $10/month is cheap to get some good inbound links and exposure. Thanks for the info, Jim, and I always enjoy your great ideas.
Hi Jim — I have been running classifieds for a month now with no problems. I even got my first bill from eBay.
I did notice that the amount of confusion on the part of “buyers” is great — they are trying to fit the classified ad into their “auction mindset” — and eBay has added to the confusion by including the PayPal link at the bottom of the classified. My classifieds have been videos with a link at the bottom of the video.
Another quick question — I purchased “Silent Sales Machine” in 2004. Is there a revised version?
Thanks for all you do.