My ads were removed but shouldn't have been

DJCNOR · Joined: 28 Apr 2008 Posts: 7

Hello,
I have been offering to teach individuals various textile skills in the Norwich Lessons/Classes etc section. I teach individuals only because I teach at home and only have a very small space. Also, I only have enough equipment for some things, weaving on a floor loom for example, to take on one student at a time. Recently, all my ads were removed by someone saying I should be putting them in the business services section. If ads for people teaching individuals French or guitar or tutoring individuals for GSCEs are in the lesson/classes section, I do not understand why my offering to teach crochet or weaving or fabric painting should not be. If I were offering to crochet or weave or paint a piece for someone, I would put the ad in the business services section, but I'm not offering that. I'm offering lessons. I don't see any plance in the business services section to even offer crafts lessons. Please help me get this mistake corrected. So far, I had been very pleased with using GumTree. I have had a student come all the way from Yorkshire and another is coming from Essex. They both had been looking far and wide for someone teaching weaving.

DJCNOR · Joined: 28 Apr 2008 Posts: 7

Yet mine has not. I don't understand why that should happen. Any clues?

montyzuma · Community Moderator Joined: 25 Jul 2007 Posts: 7556

did you follow the help procedure?

DJCNOR · Joined: 28 Apr 2008 Posts: 7

I sure have followed the help procedures. I've tried everything I could think of.

montyzuma · Community Moderator Joined: 25 Jul 2007 Posts: 7556

ill point your problem to someone who may b able to help

jonin60seconds · Gumtree Admin Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 1307

DJCNOR · Joined: 28 Apr 2008 Posts: 7

I'm checking my old e-mails to find the ad #'s.

43166743 was the first one removed, I think, though it may have been 43370724. I'm having trouble finding the old email from gumtree listing the others that were removed.

I protested the first removal, thought maybe things were fixed, tried to post, and then that one and all my past ads were removed as well. I have had nothing on gumtree since then.

Just being able to post new ads without them immediately being removed would be fine.

I think the problem may have occurred because in one ad I mentioned my blog/website. I mentioned it because I have pages on it with pictures work I've done so that students can confirm that I have knowledge to offer. But the blog part also makes clear that I'm willing to take on commissions. I'm perfectly willing to leave the blog/website out of any ad I place offering tuition.

Again, thanks so much for your help.

D

DJCNOR · Joined: 28 Apr 2008 Posts: 7

Hello,

I really would like to get back to offering tuition in craft skills on GumTree. I last heard from a GumTree representative on August 30. Could I get an update soon?

Thanks.

montyzuma · Community Moderator Joined: 25 Jul 2007 Posts: 7556

ill alert a man

jonin60seconds · Gumtree Admin Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 1307

Hey, the ads you sent me have been archived already so its hard to tell what happened exactly. But can I make this suggestion:

Try to post again and if it doesn't go live, post the reference number here and I'll sort it out.

Hope this helps!

popple · Joined: 08 Aug 2009 Posts: 11

jonin60seconds · Gumtree Admin Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 1307

Well no, I'm not an admin for Gumtree, I am the Community Manager

spamboy · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 6 Location: Reading

On 6th Sept I posted and Ad - 44971234 which was promptly removed - saying it didn't conform with posting rules. So I raised my objection in a polite and concise manner asking why it was removed when exactly the same items are sold up and down the country via gumtree?

I was told "We have the right to remove any ad which does not comply with Gumtree's terms and conditions, therefore we had no choice but to remove your ad"

I would like to know what I did wrong so I can avoid wasting my time in future, so I have asked for an explanation several time but have not even been warranted with a response.

I regularly use gumtree and have never had issues, but feel that as a customer we warrant a little more than a generic - 'Does not Comply' message.

Panda Bear · Joined: 31 Jan 2008 Posts: 1182 Location: Edinburgh

What was the item?

spamboy · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 6 Location: Reading

It was brand new boxed Hydroponic equipment, and I never mentioned what it could be associated with before you ask! I just explained that you could grow plants quickly with it.

jonin60seconds · Gumtree Admin Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 1307

Is that kind of equipment legal in the UK? (excuse my ignorance)

weeowen · Joined: 21 Apr 2008 Posts: 1254 Location: Someplace sharp.

Everyone likes to grow loads of tomatos in their roof void.

Laughing

jonin60seconds · Gumtree Admin Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 1307

Hmmmm.... Who needs a garden hey?

spamboy · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 6 Location: Reading

Yes it's legal to sell the equipment, just check eBay, Gumtree, the internet - your HIGH street. I got a job lot - but seeing as I am neither a gardner or a smoker I thought I would sell it.

jonin60seconds · Gumtree Admin Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 1307

Hey I've made your ad 44971234 live again. It was reported by the community so someone might report it again. Its just one of those 'grey area' products I'm afraid

Rick20 · Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 10

This has happened to me so many times but my ads were always reposted after I'd send an email to support.

This time however the replies were really bizarre, I was told that ad has been removed and my access even restricted because it was inappropriate for the Gumtree site! when I asked why I was told that I looked like I was acting in a commercial capacity and so they removed my advert from the site. What was I selling you may ask, well it was a phone, one phone only! Go figure.

Getting a reply back via email is also not the most straightforward thing in the world. Funny as after all this I got sent a customer satisfaction survey from the person I got the reply back from, what were they thinking????

jonin60seconds · Gumtree Admin Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 1307

Yeah, I'm afraid I'm not sure who spoke to you so I can't comment on their reasoning but the surveys are automated and will help us improve on situations like this. Be honest and fair please!