A post at Tamebay took me back in time. Back in the day when I was just a guppy in the eBay marketplace world. Now, I am not at all insinuating that I am a shark, but I certainly not that naive.

Today eBay presented a petition signed by 750,000 eBayers to the European Parliament, asking for amendments to EU competition law to stop brands from restricting the sale of their products on the internet.

This has affected all of us at some point of our selling career. A few years back when I sold on eBay, I decided to offer a certain line of Home Decor. Now, when I opened the account no stipulation was made on how I could market the product or even if I had to offer it at a minimum Sale Price. I did extremely well with this line on eBay. So well, that one of my competitors that had been offering the same line called the Counsel of the VENDOR we both purchased from and got my account closed. I know this because the assistant to BLANK informed me.

The house Attorney for that Vendor sent me an email that my last order was canceled and that I would no longer be allowed to carry their product. All because they claimed I offered it too low and they did not want their product line offered in a place like eBay. (Big Mistake) 

I was furious. I knew exactly what occurred; it was Insult to Injury. The nerve. I presented my argument to no avail and my competition on eBay continued to sell and finally her sales picked up as I was forced to remove my listings.

The VENDOR favored the other seller; no where in the Terms of the Contract was such language expressed. I did not pursue this matter simply because I was insulted and knew that it truly was their loss not mine. I to this date check on the sales of then my competitor and she still does not sell anywhere as much as I did them. Pretty petty.

This experience thought me plenty.

1) Company name for purchasing should differ from your online – At least on auction sites – Think umbrella

2) Have them provide you with ALL Terms and Policies – Signatures from both ideal

3) There are some very sad people out there….. LOL  – do not let them bring you down.

Now, the case eBay has brought before the European Parliament is a step to help retailers (online sellers) exercise their right to sell Brand Name Goods where they want too. Many retailers have accounts with Gucci, Prada etc…. Especially now, most Brick and Mortar stores need to be able to compete and offer a variety online or on sites like eBay in order to survive.

If the Vendor you are dealing with expresses their position prior to you investing money and time to sell their product; then I do feel it is fair. However, if no such stipulation exist and you impose this on your retailers then I do feel its time for retailers to unite and exercise their rights. Times have changed. Designers themselves are now working with eBay to have their Private Labels on their site. In my situation the Vendor simply imposed a restriction that did not exist to help my competitor succeed. But now, with the success so many retailers have found on the internet it is not only the Brick and Mortar store sellers (that do not want to keep with the times) but Designers that want to place restrictions on us on How, When and Where to sell…….

Does “Free Trade” mean anything?