How do you interpret eBay's no link rule?

[eclectica]

Just curious how others interpret the rule that states you can't link to another site from your auctions unless it's to provide information about the product.

Example: I sell underground dog fences. I have several pages on my website that show various layout ideas and explain more in depth how the fences work. I'd like to link to these pages from my auctions. The problem? I do sell on my site.

Soo... would you interpret the rule to mean I can't link to my site because I sell there. Or, can I link to the pages because I'm not actually selling anything on that specific page?

I've seen a variety of interpretations on the eBay boards regarding this and I'm still not sure!

(BTW - I know I can have custom store pages, and I do, but for obvious reasons would prefer that potential customers go to my site for the information)

TIA

[The Tavern Wench]

It's my understanding that as long as it follows the 'two click' rule you're ok.  It should take buyers at least two clicks from the auction listing to see your actual products for sale.

My driftwood site has a page where our eBay customers go to checkout.  I have a direct link in every one of my auctions to this page and it was approved by Trust & Safety.

You can see how I've got it set up here:  eBay Checkout Page

I have a checkout button in my auctions that links directly to this page.  And I've been turned in a bazillion times, but so far never had an auction shut down.  *notme

With the EZPages in Zen it would be super easy to set up an informational page like that.

[CrankyCanuck]

I didn't realize you could do that.  So, technically, if I directed ebay people to my About Us page or somesuch on my website, that would be okay as long as there was nothing for sale on that page?

[eclectica]

Thanks Crabby!

That's pretty much how I was looking at it, too.

I did go ahead and set up the pages in EZ pages so I'm going to start adding the links as the store inventory expires.

Cranky ~ that's pretty much the impression I've always had. I have seen several people differ from this opinion on the eBay boards, but I trust Crabby more. Scary, considering what an awful person she is, with getting all these people banned on other forums 

[The Tavern Wench]

Correct Cranky.  On your About Me page you just have to be careful how you word it.
You can't say anything like "Buy Cheaper at my website" or "A bigger selection at my website", but it's perfectly legit to say "Visit our website".

It's my understanding that the same rule applies to the eBay blogs, which get high rankings in Google.

In your auction listing it can only be a link to a page giving more information about the item you're selling.  The only other exception is a checkout button.


You better watch listening to Crabby Eclectica!  She'll get you in trouble!!      

[CrankyCanuck]

[snip]but I trust Crabby more. Scary, considering what an awful person she is, with getting all these people banned on other forums 

That is scary....hang out with Miss Crabby and overnight you're banned everywhere!! LOL!  I wonder why I haven't been nailed yet, some kind of canuck unity or what??...

Yeah, I think I'll try something like that on ebay.  I closed my ebay store, and all I have up at the moment is an About Me page up, but I could put a link to direct them to the 'contact us' or 'about us' page on my website.  Can't hoightt!!
 *clam*

[moonMAJiC]

My eBay template (which is used rarely anymore) has links to my main selling website within it. I have a page on 'How to Use' the molds I sell and 'Tips for Painting' etc.

My niche is highly competitive with lotsa nasty sellers - they turn in another mold seller in a blink and I've never gotten notice from eBay not to do this - so I'm thinking it must be okay. I link directly to those pages, which don't have anything to sell on them, but they do have a links to my main page and I know I've gotten customers from them.