Spanked by eBay (Blog)

[goldberg]

Originally Posted by russianrocket

Just wanted to point out how stupid it is that they didn't let you do your auction, yet they have an entire category for spells and potions.
Spells Potions items - Get great deals on Psychic Paranormal, Metaphysical items on eBay.com!

The reason the section is there is because potions and spells etc can have a physical component. The ebay rule is directly against intangible goods.

You could say that it is a silly rule, for example a digital download of a game is not permitted to be sold but a physical dvd of the same game is allowed. But the reason this rule was put in place was to stop fraud listing and people getting duped into buying stuff that was worthless. The way to get around it is to put the pdf/mp3 on a dvd and send it in the post.

Yes it is easy to find listing which break this rule, but that does not mean the rule is invalid it just happens because ebay only looks at a listing if a detection rule is triggered or if someone is complains.

So if Steve wanted to provide his service via ebay, I would say produce an accompanying booklet with mp3, and a free hour of consultation on the side.

[russianrocket]

Originally Posted by goldberg

The reason the section is there is because potions and spells etc can have a physical component. The ebay rule is directly against intangible goods.

You could say that it is a silly rule, for example a digital download of a game is not permitted to be sold but a physical dvd of the same game is allowed. But the reason this rule was put in place was to stop fraud listing and people getting duped into buying stuff that was worthless. The way to get around it is to put the pdf/mp3 on a dvd and send it in the post.

Yes it is easy to find listing which break this rule, but that does not mean the rule is invalid it just happens because ebay only looks at a listing if a detection rule is triggered or if someone is complains.

So if Steve wanted to provide his service via ebay, I would say produce an accompanying booklet with mp3, and a free hour of consultation on the side.

I'm looking at spell after spell, and not one of the auctions is for something physical or tangible. You bid, and they will cast the spell. How is that physical or provable?

[James81]

Originally Posted by russianrocket

I'm looking at spell after spell, and not one of the auctions is for something physical or tangible. You bid, and they will cast the spell. How is that physical or provable?

Go report them and see if ebay takes them down.

I suspect that the rule is only enforced when somebody brings it to ebay's attention.

Which, of course, implies that the reason Steve was forced to take his down is because somebody mentioned it to the staff at ebay.

[goldberg]

Originally Posted by russianrocket

I'm looking at spell after spell, and not one of the auctions is for something physical or tangible. You bid, and they will cast the spell. How is that physical or provable?

As I explained already, ebay works by using a combination of heuristic rules and reporting. So if nothing triggers and no one reports it it does not get taken down. If ebay where to check every listing before it went up it would cost them much more and would delay the time to listing which would put people of the site.

[russianrocket]

Originally Posted by goldberg

As I explained already, ebay works by using a combination of heuristic rules and reporting. So if nothing triggers and no one reports it it does not get taken down. If ebay where to check every listing before it went up it would cost them much more and would delay the time to listing which would put people of the site.

granted, by why make an entire category on something that would almost always be non tangible?