Sites claim that the measures they've set up promote safe trading, yet when an auction goes sour the site's response often sends a mixed message. When EBay suspends a seller, no one is allowed to post feedback, including warnings, about the seller. So when feedback gets shut down, many users jump onto EBay's message boards to spread the word about dubious sellers. But that too can lead to a dead end, as Maxon learned. According to EBay, using a seller's ID in messages is inappropriate and violates the site's guidelines.
Members can no longer see other members' e-mail addresses.
Instead, they must communicate through a forwarding system. Many members are furious, suspecting that this move will make it harder to detect shilling. Along with the auction interference rule, the ban on members' e-mail addresses also makes it harder for defrauded parties to band together. All auction sites encourage the use of payment or escrow services to help transactions go more smoothly. Most sites also provide some kind of insurance coverage.