eBay Bans All Masks Regardless of Virus Claims

by: LasVagueness

I have been wearing disposable food preparation gloves to navigate public pathogens for decades. I keep a small stash in my coat pocket at all times. I turn it inside out when done and dispose. They are $12 for 500 gloves on Amazon or eBay. No nasty hand sanitizer needed.

There is *some* merit to price gouging in that it helps deter hoarding.  

by: Paul W

''restraint of free trade and torturous interference''
Nonsense.  eBay in no way prevents you from selling your stuff.  They merely say you can't sell it on eBay, as is their right to do.  Flipping out legal-sounding terms that have no bearing on eBay's decisions is not in the least helpful.

by: lancecorp

It would be easy for Ebay to make a cap on the amount that could be charged. Of course with their IT dept - that would turn into another fiasco and they don't want to put that much thought and time into doing it. Sorry but there are people that only order online because of their location or due to mobility problems. To force them to shop elsewhere for items may turn them away from Ebay completely and the sellers will still sell their items on other platforms, social media or out of the trunk of their car.  

by: CanBrit

Funniest thing of all, and no one has brought it up. Masks and sanitizers are meant to be used by the people who are sick. The Sani industry has had a riot trying to make it appear the other way around. A much larger market.

I talked to my pharmacist last week and she told me that most people she speaks with have no idea of that. Wearing protection and overuse of sanitizers is more dangerous for those who are healthy because you are stripping of your natural immune response.

It is the person sneezing and hacking that needs to wear the hand gloves, masks and sanitizers not the healthy ones.....lol.

Oh well.....................

by: pace306

They merely say you can't sell it on eBay, as is their right to do

Where is it their right to do?

As long as its a legally obtained item - and they and you agree (dont forget its in the TOS and the TOS is a 2 way agreement) then they cant just "decide" one day - UNLESS THERES PROOF OF A CRIME (or even intent).

I only know cause I asked 3 lawyers - but I dont sell wipes or masks - but if I did - I would sue - if there was monetary gain.

Why dont they up n ban peanut butter? Thousands of people die from it so lets one day just ban it.

Maybe one day they will ban Tuna - you know all those dolphins are dieing in the nets - lets be GOOD CORPORATE CITIZENS and ban it - cause if theres no need, people wont buy it.

Ban the sale of cars on eBay. Does AOC and her crackpot global warming crowd say that its destroying the environment? How many people die each year from breathing illness's ?? Cars pollute the air we breath - therefore ONLY electric cars can be sold.

Do you know why they can be sued ? Because they told the courts that they are just a venue and HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH WHATS SOLD unless theres a specific issue/complaint registered against a listing (aka the money grabbing people at VERO)

How do I know? I threatened to sue (not for masks)

by: Marie

@lancecorp

While in theory that sounds reasonable, it could then present a problem with the laws for price fixing for Ebay.  IDK, I'm not a lawyer, but it seems like if they mess with pricing it could get them into trouble legally.

by: FH991586

@LasVagueness

Your own comment is exactly a proof of hoarding from your part...

by: Marie

@FH991586

Having a reasonable stock on hand is NOT hoarding.  If that were the case, then whenever any of us shop at someplace like Costco we would be hoarding by that definition.  Buying a box of something isn't hoarding.  But it can make good financial sense when it is something you use on a regular basis.  

I buy toilet paper by the case at Costco and various vegetables and the such.  That isn't hoarding.

by: scaryguy

First off there is NO US Restrictions to violate selling such items. Secondly, because of this Ive had similar items removed that Ive been selling for 10 years and now still at the same price. Third "price gouging" is ridiculous because it does NOT force anyone to buy anything. Its just simple "supply & demand". But now ALL sites have taken certain items down so now you cant get them anywhere. I personally wanted to buy some N95 masks and knew Id be paying more for them, but now I dont even have that opportunity. Maybe let me (Im an adult) make that decision for myself. ebay is the worst at sticking their nose where it doesnt belong!

by: scaryguy

I see a lot of the term "hoarding" on here. Last time I checked this is America, and I can own ONE or ONE MILLION of anything if I do so choose. And it is none of anyone's business! This is not a Socialist country (yet).

by: iheartjacksparrow

I Must Be Crazy writes, "... I don't begrudge someone from making a profit off of their efforts."

I agree. There are many instances where something I want is sold at an event I can't attend (such as Comic Con), and if the person sells at a profit, that's find with me, since they had to buy a ticket, travel there, fight the crowds, and stand in line for the purchase. Any price within reason is going to be cheaper than what it would have cost me in time and money.  

by: Marie

Selling something for a BIG profit in most cases is absolutely fine.  It isn't something that the customer has to buy from you because you are the only source during a crisis, so it is fine.

States and the Federal government passed these laws to prevent people from creating a monopoly on a product or products during a time when a state has declared a State of Emergency for good reasons.

Some continually what to compare things that aren't essential or a necessary supply for some people during a particular crisis to things that one might buy when none exist [crisis].  It just isn't the same thing.  And I admit I'm surprised that so many can't tell the difference.

by: toolguy

@pace306

California has laws against price gouging!

I'm sure eBay's attorney's know this.

My County District Attorney made an announcement in the local newspaper about price gouging during a "State of Emergency" to all businesses doing business in San Bernardino County.

by: toolguy

From my local paper:

https://www.vvng.com/sb-district-attorneys-office-warns-
about-coronavirus-and-price-gouging/

by: purpleiris

Yes, there are laws against price gouging, particularly during a crisis. When you're taking advantage of a crisis to make an unreasonable profit, then the government will definitely have a problem with it.

by: TomH

What exactly is ''reasonable'' or ''unreasonable'' profit? Many think that only ''government'' (comprised mostly of employees set for life and little to no experience in producing) can decide when the above two vague points are reached.

My local stores that I shop have normal stock levels on their shelves of the items in this discussion. Although I'm sure there have probably been fear shopping at many stores.

The amount of misinformation is in a way shocking, but actually pretty much par for the course of our media behavior in the last 20 years or so. I mean the so-called main-stream media in this case. The fringe media of hysteria has been with us for decades.

by: pace306

Tool

eBay breaks the law all the time - “THIS” is the one you decided to be concerned about?

As for supposed price gauging - can you cite some examples (listings) that broke that law?

All there was do far was a reminder that the law was “in play”, and no more.

eBay took an unneeded extra step to ban ALL listings.

And it’s certainly not because eBay cares about Corona virus infected people - it was ONLY so they could show they “cared” and “were doing something “ and not letting (as always!) those mean evil sellers run amok and make money (how dare they). Only eBay can make money!

by: scaryguy

So if someone buys merch at a higher price than normal from their distributor, then turns and sells them higher than normal because THEY just had to pay more. Then who is "gouging"? The distributor OR the retail level seller?

And WHO gets to decide what price is "gouging"???

Im losing a ton of sales on items ive been selling for years that are still the same price, BUT ebay believes they would be in demand during corona crisis.

Funny part is, the public has NO way to obtain any protection now. Great job ebay, Amazon and other online cronies.

I miss the days of "supply and demand"

by: Marie

The states get to decided what they define gouging to be and most have it in their law.  I know many want to make Ebay the bad guy in this and sees no issue with those that willingly take advantage of others in a state of emergency in order to make a buck.  But fortunately there are many of us out here that do see a problem with that.

To minimize this issue, some want to continue to compare these items that have been banned from Ebay to buying a dresser or book or some other item that has nothing to do with the issue at hand.  

Make no mistake, this is a state of emergency.  Not a need to panic but certainly a need to be prepared and take precautions.  I realize that some don't believe this to be a crisis or a Pandemic, but that doesn't change the facts.  It only means that some don't agree.

If you are one that doesn't like the laws that are in place on this subject.  Then start with your own state and lobby to get it changed to whatever it is you feel is appropriate.  Them move on from there.  But for now.  Complying with the laws that are currently in place should be a priority for us all.  Like them or not.

by: NoMoreEbay

Price gouging is selling a bottle of hand sanitizer that normally sells for $4 for $65. Or a 12 pack of masks that retails for $12.95 for $150.

Supply and demand doesn't apply during emergencies or disasters, nor should it. Trying to justify away the practice so easy profit can be made is pretty lousy and everyone knows it.