A Cautionary Tale of Using Facebook to Sell

Dear Ina, 

A timely warning here for folks not to get too invested in FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE (they deliver no communication and can jump to unexplained, unjustified, severe measures in a heartbeat).

I have been on Facebook for years with an accumulation of cherished family photos (kids and now grandkids). About a year ago I found that Facebook Marketplace provided an outlet for large items to sell where shipping is otherwise prohibitive so when my father-in-law passed away recently, I was asked by the family to take and sell some of his bigger stuff. 

I listed a collection of 50 quarters that pop in a large cardboard map of the United States (each quarter represents each specific state). Facebook sent me a non-specific generic violation of their "policy & terms" for this listing so I did a little digging and found that Facebook Market Place had a category for "coins" so I listed it under "coins." Then I noticed it had a red border around it and said, "needs fixing" but offered no communication as to what I needed to do. Do I delete it? Do I fix it by making a needed revision? There were no buttons to click, no further explanation or information. So, I forgot about it for a few days until just recently FB has now removed my entire account (Facebook, Facebook Marketplace and Messenger). 

I followed the prompt that said "click here to appeal" thinking surely they have made a mistake. I clicked it to no avail. Then they said they wanted my I.D. in order to appeal so I sent them a photo of my I.D. that matches everything on my account (no funny business, all above board & legitimate)... as soon as they got my I.D. they sent this on Sunday 11/21/21:

Thank You for submitting your I.D.

Hi,

Your account has been permanently disabled for not following the Facebook Community Standards. Unfortunately, we won't be able to reactivate it for any reason.

This will be our last message regarding your account. For more information about our policies, please review the Facebook Community Standards:

https://www.facebook.com/communitystandards?ref=cr

Thanks

As I read their Community Standards, they are basically treating me like a severe criminal, yet nothing that I read applies to my situation. I have no hate speech posts, am not affiliated with any such group and have never posted anything offensive or criminal. 

It sure would have been nice to have been humanely treated, warned & maybe even given a 30 day suspension with specifics of what I might have done and what I might need to do (I have never had one infraction with them until this recent "innocuous" listing). 

They are acting like I am the worst of the worst and jumped immediately to a permanent account suspension (hard to believe). If I crossed a line, I will be glad to make it right. 

A second look at my account from a Facebook human rep that is vaguely familiar with selling collectibles would be great (an apology even better, but not expected). 

Many thanks,

D.