Hello Share,
Thank you for writing to Bill Cobb. My name is Dalhia, and I am a specialist in the Prohibited Items Department; Bill has requested that I reply on his behalf.
I realize that a majority of our members are animal lovers - so are a large majority of our employees, myself included. I feel very strongly about this issue and would appreciate any suggestions you may have as to how we can better prevent the listing of prohibited animal parts on our site. The improvements we make are in response to the needs and desires of our community members, and we always welcome constructive feedback.
Unfortunately with millions of auctions being posted by the second, it is logistically impossible for us to review each one before they are listed. Although we do limited searches, we do rely on our community members to report potentially violating auctions.
Regards,
Dalhia Altibari on behalf of Bill Cobb
President
eBay North America
(SHARE'S RESPONSE:)
Dear Dalhia,
I am so happy to finally hear from someone at eBay on this issue. I guess the squeeky wheel gets the grease, as they say.
I realize that it is difficult to catch these items as you are currently set up, but it really isn't fair to leave the moral responsibility on those of us who are so strapped for time and funds, and it isn't our job. On top of that we are still billed fees to use eBay and PayPal. As it stands, everything is working in your favor. WE do the research, the complaining, and still pay for your services. This is hardly fair.
My suggestions are as follows:
1) Change your computer programming to catch key words (taxidermy, skin, animal, raccoon penis, fetus, paws, tails, teeth, and such) and hire someone (it would only take one person) to just be in charge of monitoring these items before or immediately after it goes to auction, and then immediately remove it. ***
Also remove all traces of the item so the customers can't conduct their transaction off-line. (Just like you did when eBay President's head went to auction...evidently as a ploy to get your attention on this issue.) If the items stays readable, and only "shut down", the seller can still be contacted by the potential buyers, hence, the offense still continues to take place.
2) Offer a reward for anyone that does the research and brings such an item to your attention. Let's say $10 an item? Most of the people that would be doing this/your work are non-profit animal rescuers and lovers and they sure could put that donation (and you could write it off your taxes) towards rescue expenses (food, supplies, vet bills, etc.). This would also put you in wonderful standing in the animal rights/welfare/rescue arena = many of your customers! It is also very "media-worthy"!! I'm sure it would boost your sales way more than you would be paying out in rewards. Good PR is invaluable! We would also be willing to help you with this good press.
3) Or you could donate an amount to our organization (Protect R Wildlife) specifically designated to giving these people/researchers the rewards. We would give you an accounting of each transaction. Let's say 100 items were sent to our attention times $10 - we would be paying $1000 in rewards to these people. This way you wouldn't have to deal with all of this or reprogram your auction, which might cost a lot more than using our services. We would make sure that each complaint would go to you and do the follow up to make sure it is removed from the auction. Of course, the reward only goes to those items that are removed from the auction.
4) In addition, I think it would be a nice gesture to offer those that work on this project (for you) your services for no charge - no fees for accepting PayPal donations/payments on our account(s), and no fees for listing eBay auction items. I feel this is more than fair.
5) Isn't there any better way you could trace the people that keep changing their names and accounts and keep selling the same animal parts once their auction item is removed? This could be one more job that the "one person" (listed on item 1 above) could do. Or that could be another job that we could do for you?
6) Change your TOS agreement rules where anyone that sells animal parts provide their necessary permits - taxidermy, import/export of dead animal parts, trapping, killing licenses, to name a few. This will discourage those that are doing it illegally, and for those that 'say' they have one, it can be authenticated by the authorities involved - National Wildlife Services (when endangered and threatened species are killed, sold, bought, imported and exported); each state's Fish and Game Dept. (regarding trapping licenses); Dept. of Natural Resources (regarding shipping from state to state); taxidermy permits to ensure that the animals are being handled properly. The otter that is currently on your auction (as well as skunks) could pose a rabies risk from the handlers. Do you REALLY want to get in this kind of trouble along with the offenders???
Maybe you could change your program application for auction submittal, "If animal products are being sold, supply your permit types and numbers, or you are breaking the TOS agreement."
I am willing to be an employee of yours to handle this issue, if you like. What I propose is to a) advertise this reward service by eBay, whereby the complainers would send complaints to us; b) I would send complaints to eBay and make sure the offensive items are removed; c) then send the rewards to the researchers; d) get a team to report the repeat offenders, and follow their auction trail; and e) make sure eBay gets good PR for this wonderful new animal-friendly service.
I believe this would be a win-win situation all the way around: a) eBay would get better and more press, hence more sales, for being a Good Samaritan willing to work with the animal community; b) I would be a paid employee working on-line to handle this task for you, hence saving you time and money reprogramming your auction; c) Those that take the time to care, research and submit the items will get much-needed donations to help animals in their care; and, most of all, d) all of the animals that have been killed, skinned and orphaned for someone's profit will have been saved from needless death and exploitation.
I believe this should be a "team effort", not one-sided. I hope this can work out to be a win-win situation, not only for the animals concerned, but for all concerned.
I anxiously await your reply.
Share Bond, President
Protect R Wildlife
(RESPONSE BACK FROM DALHIA:)
Hello Share,
Thank you for taking the time to write to again. I am happy to assist you further.
Since Bill has nearly completed all of the emails in regards to his offer this email address will not be in use for recontacts much longer.
Please address future emails to moreinfo@ebay.com to ensure that they reach the Prohibited Items Department.
Thank you for your suggestions. I will make sure they reach the proper authorities. Also, I would like to say, we do have many internal tools and policies in place, and we are always working to improve. Your help is greatly appreciated.
We are committed to your online trading safety and success.
Regards,
Dalhia on behalf of Bill Cobb
President
eBay North America
(ANOTHER EMAIL FROM DALHIA:)
Because we are an internet based company we do not offer phone support.
Please submit your proposal to us at suggest@ebay.com. I would like to assure you that we are committed to the safety and well being of the community, animals and people alike.
We are committed to your online trading safety and success.
Regards,
Dalhia Altibari on behalf of Bill Cobb
President
eBay North America
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(10664093)