A word of warning to those using 'that' online auction site

[Flying10uk]

You can sell an axe on eBay BUT it can't be a fireman's axe. After listing a fireman's axe twice and having it taken down twice I was told that while an ordinary axe is ok a fireman's axe is not ok because a fireman's axe is a two headed axe and could be used as a "weapon". I did ask why all the other fireman's axes hadn't been taken down, listed by other sellers, and was told that they hadn't got round to it yet.

So I got my brother to list the said "Vintage Fireman's Axe" on facebook trader, thinking that they may have more "relaxed rules", but the listing was taken down off facebook trader within a few hours. The reason given, apparently, was that a "Fireman's Axe" could be a potential "weapon". Presumably there are cases of crimes being committed by criminals wielding vintage fireman's axes but I can't say that I've ever heard of any.

[David TS]

It's almost like you have to contact the seller and offer him what it's worth, have him pull it and ship it regular mail.

Jim

Try and exchange any contact details with a seller or buyer in a message via eBay UK before an item has sold, and their snooping software detects email addresses and deletes them, and you may also get a threat from them to shut your acount down either temporarily or permanently as they say their T&C are breached, and you are trying to sell outside eBay.

Several years ago I had someone local wanted to view an item (a lathe) before the auction ended so they could decide whether or not to bid after checking the condition. Perfectly reasonable you might think, but, eBay repeatedly blocked the messages, blocked my account, and when I took it up with them, wouldn't accept my explanation!

What doesn't appear to get detected (yet) is to photograph your contact details, and send them as a message attachment.

[Alan de Enfield]

Jim


What doesn't appear to get detected (yet) is to photograph your contact details, and send them as a message attachment.

I was about to suggest that as I read your reply.

The 'bot' can only scan looking for the programmed key-words.
A photograph of the item for sale with your email address propped up alongside it gets thru' every time.

[Flying10uk]

their snooping software

It was suggested to me that eBay/facebook may have software that can scan and detect items that "don't comply" with their regs without the need for a human. Is that likely or even possible?

[Daan Kemp]

Most definitely. Similar to your computer's firewall, anti virus software and similar stuff.

[rcathey]

I was about to suggest that as I read your reply.

The 'bot' can only scan looking for the programmed key-words.
A photograph of the item for sale with your email address propped up alongside it gets thru' every time.

Only a matter of time.

The iPhone now allows you to copy the text out of a photograph. It’s even pretty decent at reading handwritten text. The technology is there!

[bigduke6]

Jim

Try and exchange any contact details with a seller or buyer in a message via eBay UK before an item has sold, and their snooping software detects email addresses and deletes them, and you may also get a threat from them to shut your acount down either temporarily or permanently as they say their T&C are breached, and you are trying to sell outside eBay.

Several years ago I had someone local wanted to view an item (a lathe) before the auction ended so they could decide whether or not to bid after checking the condition. Perfectly reasonable you might think, but, eBay repeatedly blocked the messages, blocked my account, and when I took it up with them, wouldn't accept my explanation!

What doesn't appear to get detected (yet) is to photograph your contact details, and send them as a message attachment.

Use morse code, bought a few radios, radio parts etc ( all military) usually the sellers are Hams so not too much trouble for them to decode a phone number.

Ebay getting to pricey now, I recently sold a No32 Mk1 scope on EBay, I realised who the buyer was and also was a bit taken back on there valuation fee, so I contacted the buyer to say I would cancel the order and after he got his refund to call me and we could proceed.

I haven’t heard from the buyer and have been away, only had a glimpse of my eBay account yesterday and he left negative feedback and said I’d cancelled the order as I’d sold it too cheap...... some mothers have them as they say.

Sorry to hear of your sell off Neil, I’m selling a lot of mine, but decided to keep the L42 and matching No 4T. ( obviously you know the story of the scope, every time I pick the scope up , it reminds me of a scene in Pulp fiction.....)

[waco16]

Sorry to hear of your sell off Neil

It was only the Snipers, Geoff - time for them to be looked after and enjoyed by the next custodians' - the service rifle collection is still there, and about to be joined by a few others with the proceeds

[Flying10uk]

so I contacted the buyer to say

The trouble is some people can't be bothered or are too lazy to read their messages!

[bigduke6]

The trouble is some people can't be bothered or are too lazy to read their messages!

Well that's true but, as I cancelled the order I wasn't expecting messages etc through ebay, received another today via ebay saying I was a scammer.......as the day after I contacted him via email he sent me pictures of a box off shake and bake or something....

Certainly has confirmed my belief of what kind of person he is.