Learn more about Transaction Interference.
What is the policy?
- Members are not allowed to interfere with another member's transaction.
- Members may not contact a seller and offer to purchase a listed item outside of eBay.
- Members are not permitted to email buyers in an open or completed transaction to warn them away from a seller or item. If you have a problem with a transaction, please use the feedback forum and review our Fraud Protection Programme.
Activity on eBay is required to follow this policy, the eBay User Agreement and all applicable laws, as well as respect the rights of third parties. If it doesn’t, eBay may take action consistent with applicable laws and the eBay User Agreement, and may even be legally required to do so. Such actions may include, as an example only: Removing the listing or other content, issuing a warning, restricting activity or account suspension.
Some Examples
Mei Ling has found the perfect dinner set for a party she wishes to host at her brand new home. Unfortunately, the auction-style listing will not end for another six days and the party is this weekend! Mei Ling decides to email the seller directly with an offer to buy the dinnerware immediately and directly from the seller and obtain overnight postage for the item. By emailing the seller directly with an offer to purchase, Mei Ling is in violation of the Transaction Interference policy.
Additional information
To report a violation of eBay’s Transaction Interference policy:
- Contact Customer Support by choosing “Contact Us” on the left side of any Help page.
- Include the appropriate information, including any relevant emails, with full descriptions in the subject line. Only report a case once; multiple emails about the same case slow an investigation.
Why does eBay have this policy?
eBay has this policy in order to protect the community from potentially fraudulent transactions which are more likely to occur outside of eBay. Remember: if the seller offers to sell you the item directly without bidding on or winning the item on eBay, this is a violation of eBay policy and you will lose the benefit of eBay purchase protection programmes. Please report it to us immediately.