You can actually buy anything on Ebay classifieds. Really everything? No, because a number of offers are prohibited on the platform. And not all of the prohibitions make sense at first glance.
Whether a smartphone that is not required from the contract extension, a rarely used hedge trimmer or a rusted old car for the novice driver: You can get almost everything on Ebay classifieds. But only almost. The platform keeps a whole list of offers, services and products that are immediately deleted.
If there are many entries, the reason is immediately apparent. The fact that Ebay classifieds does not tolerate prohibited weapons, objects with anti-constitutional symbols, drugs or job offers for under 14-year-olds is simply obvious from a legal point of view. This is not immediately apparent for other points. Why, for example, are users not allowed to sell tobacco products or alcohol, although that is perfectly fine on Ebay? And what is behind the general ban on perfumes?
No products from 18
“It corresponds to the expectations of our users that they can trade classified ads on Ebay, which is not subject to legal prohibitions or restrictions,” the group gives at the request of the stern frankly too. The group wants to keep the platform as family-friendly as possible. “According to the Youth Protection Act, articles with an age rating of 18 are excluded from trading on Ebay classifieds. This also includes alcoholic beverages and tobacco products of all kinds, as well as corresponding accessories.” The latter also include hookahs, vaporizers and liquids.
There is also a simple reason that many of these products, such as beer, spirits or tobacco products, can be sold on the classic Ebay without any problems. “Ebay and Ebay classifieds are two independently operating companies, each with their own trading principles.”
That is why perfume is forbidden
When it comes to the perfume ban, which at first seems a bit bizarre, Ebay is about protecting buyers. “In our experience, there is a disproportionately high number of counterfeits in circulation for perfumes. This means that our users are at greater risk of falling victim to fraud,” explains spokesman Pierre Du Bois. “That’s why we decided to generally exclude perfume from trading on Ebay classifieds.” Other counterfeit products and imitations may not be traded either.
The ban on trading in scrap also serves to protect customers: private individuals are simply not allowed to do so. But it’s not about the defective smartphone. “In the case of defective computers, for example, it often helps to replace individual components in order to restore functionality and thus extend the service life of the products,” says Du Bois. “Defective articles, which can be reused in whole or in part, may – we would even say: should – be passed on via eBay classifieds.”
The scrap ban applies to real electronic waste. “CFC refrigerators, for example, have not been allowed to be produced and traded for a long time. In addition, strict public requirements apply to various product groups – also with regard to who is allowed to trade in old appliances from these groups,” the spokesman explains. Commercial traders are also allowed to offer their goods on Ebay classified ads with the appropriate authorization.
It is also forbidden:
- Insults, insults, character assassination, discrimination
- Private offers from model agencies, for model training, from photographers, for auditions, for casting etc. and commercial advertisements without legal notice
- Pornographic and youth-endangering writings or objects, as well as services
- Media labeled “No youth approval”, “Approval from 18”, “FSK 18”, “USK 18”
- Medical instruments (including X-ray machines, defibrillators, ultrasound / sonography machines)
This is how Ebay classifieds deals with violations
The users should therefore consider carefully which offers they are posting on Ebay classifieds. “We delete advertisements that violate laws and / or our principles immediately,” explains Du Bois. In the event of serious violations, the user will also be permanently blocked.
In addition, the group reserves the right to take further legal steps and is also working closely with the criminal authorities. “We report particularly serious cases in which there is an initial suspicion of a criminal act.” This is particularly the case with possible dangers to life and limb. The group also asks users to help. “We ask users who discover prohibited items on Ebay classifieds to report these offers directly to us. This can be done with just a few clicks on every advertisement page.”
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