an "Answer" from Ebay...and my response...

[CanuckAmok]

The saga of the Texas ANG George W Bush inaction figure continues...


eBay Customer Support ([e-mail]) wrote:

Hello,

Thank you for writing eBay.

I am sorry for the confusion with our actions. However, we do not allow
auctions on our site which offer nothing for sale. Your auction
included the statement that the high bidder would receive an empty box,
which is not permitted. You can sell anything you like charity, but it
must be an item that the high bidder will actually receive.

For more information on our policies, please view the following link:

http://pages.ebay.com/help/community/png-items.html

We appreciate you being such a valuable member of the eBay community.

Regards,

Sabastian Leed
eBay Community Watch

Thank you for your reply.

By definition, and empty box isn't "nothing". It is an empty box. And was clearly advertised as such. Nonetheless,
it had recieved several bids, with the auction proceeds earmarked for charity.

I will be relisting this item. Can you please tell me specifically HOW to keep it from being removed?

I have attached some links to some of the hundreds of current Ebay auctions of other empty boxes, or, as you
describe them, "nothing".

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2746862877&category=26358

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2944753722&category=19278

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3141763680&category=4978

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3543716590&category=1175

So, I'm still confused. Can you please explain again your apolitical reasons for removing my auction?

VancouverBug

c.c. (removed for DU post), Solicitors


Dear DU Members,

Email bomb Ebay please...

Thanks!

[Systematic Chaos]

1. Just for the record...

What kind of empty box were you selling? What was supposed to be in it that would give ebay "political" reasons to de-list the item?

You really got me curious. Thanks. :)

On edit: Oh, jeez.... Maybe I should have read the first sentence of your post a little more clearly.... :dunce:

[CanuckAmok]

4. For ProgRocker and anone else needing some background:

The text from my auction. The photo was of an empty cardboard box.


"Why wait until the redesign of Mount Rushmore?
<p>
Now you can own a piece of American history; the Texas Air National Guard George W Bush Action Figure.
<p>
This figure probably stands 14" in height, and is exactly as the future Leader of the Western World(tm) appeared during his service defending our Nation's borders from Mexicans and Bahamians.
<p>
Comes with detailed uniform (as imagined by base commander), sealed discharge papers, Coors Light keg, and "licensed to chug" bumper sticker.
<p>
Now you can have George in your home every day, even after November 2004!
<p>
This fully pose-able action figure of the Commander in Chief is likely correct down to the slightest detail. Our highly skilled Chinese craftspeople have been in the action figure industry for years, and trained under a generous re-education program. They make the best, most desirable action figures in the Free Market, or die tryin'!
<p>
Winning bidder will be notified of upcoming GWBANG accessories; pile of dried branches, action pretzel, overstuffed bags with "$" printed on them, blindfold, bible with real, highlighted passages, and earplugs.
<p>
The winning bidder will also receive TWO bonus gifts: the George W. Bush "Afternoon of September 11th 2001" tennis ensemble, and a genuine “First Lady Laura Bush Serving Sandwiches at a VA Hospital” action figure!
<p>
Supplies are limited; don't let yours disappear!

<P>
GOD BLESS AMERICA!

(and the additions placed after the auction received bids):

The response to this auction has been incredible! Please note that any payment successfully sent/received will be donated to www.democraticunderground.com or the charity of the buyer’s choice.
<p>
I suppose I should add that this is just an empty box, people, but it can be YOUR empty box if the price is right!"

[Mairead]

10. I think I see their point

You say

Comes with detailed uniform (as imagined by base commander), sealed discharge papers, Coors Light keg, and "licensed to chug" bumper sticker.
...
The winning bidder will also receive TWO bonus gifts: the George W. Bush "Afternoon of September 11th 2001" tennis ensemble, and a genuine “First Lady Laura Bush Serving Sandwiches at a VA Hospital” action figure!

but in fact there's nothing in the box. I can see where they could have a beef. Yes it's satire, but you do say that they'll receive something you have no actual intention of sending them.

[CatWoman]

2. HAHAHAHA

YOU GO, CANUCK!!!!!!!!!

:D

[searchingforlight]

3. Found another

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?cgiurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Fws%2F&krd=1&from=R8&MfcISAPICommand=GetResult&ht=1&SortProperty=MetaEndSort&query=hat+boxes

Their answer wreaks of hypocracy.

[pansypoo53219]

5. get some

ken dolls wearing suits or cheerleading COSTUMES.

[panzerfaust]

6. Gone Again

They have already taken it off

[Deja Q]

7. Fill the box with hershey's kisses and sell the box using the name

"Freedom kisses" while using your tact to insult shrubbypants*. :evilgrin: That way they get more thanan empty box; they get a lot of kisses (and/or Hugs) in return for their wonderful donation! :D

[arcane1]

8. just like the "axis of weasles" cards

apparently the fine folks at EBay don't much like it when sellers poke fun at lil Georgie

[arcane1]

9. hmm, this one is interesting:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2945194179&category=2442

I hope nobody is eating:

[molly]

12. OMG

[newyawker99]

16. UGH!!!!!

:puke:

[CatWoman]

17. AIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

[molly]

11. Why don't you get a little cheap action figure

and make a note that it comes with the empty box. Let us know so we can start bidding again.

[Darth_Kitten]

13. I have no problems with ebay......

have bought items from fellow DU'ers on it....

[Woodstock]

14. Make the BOX the title of the auction ad

Title of auction ad:

George W. Bush Inaction Figure Box

Say a specially designed box to commemorate George W. Bush's inaction while in the National Guard.

Cover it with red, white and blue fabric, or maybe camouflage fabric, using some plain white glue.

Better yet, get some printouts of political cartoons bashing Bush's fake military career (there's a fellow DU-er here who would probably love to promote his work + donate the reprint of the cartoons) and glue these onto the box.

Specifically say on the ad: Bidder is buying special commemorative box only. The action figure went AWOL.

[-..__...]

15. EBay has some strange policies

Most are for liability and legal reasons.


http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/items-ov.html

Among the prohibited and restricted items...

Autographed Items
Contracts and Tickets
Event Tickets
Faces, Names and Signatures
Human Parts and Remains

Some are no-brainers

Counterfeit Items
Drugs & Drug Paraphernalia
Stolen Property


I'll hazard a guess as to why they don't allow empty boxes.

IIRC, a few years ago when the Playstation2 (might have been X-Box)
was the hot Xmas gift, people who were fortunate enough to have bout one, were reselling them at ridicosly inflated prices.

Some person ran an add that read something to the effect: Playstation2
New, box $400.00. The assumption was that it was new and in the box.
Not so, some trusting person sent in their money and in return they got a Playstation2 box.

[CanuckAmok]

18. Here's the final answer, along with a threat of censure...

Hello,

I am glad to have the opportunity to assist you in this matter.

Your listing was considered either a joke or a political statement - not
a legitimate auction. This is not the appropriate venue for such
listings. This is not a matter of democracy, but a business decision.
We are not a platform for opinions, but an online auction house for
items and services. Extraneous comments are not permissible under our
User Agreement (http://pages.ebay.com/help/community/png-user.html).

The other listings are for collectible boxes without extraneous comments
or opinions.

Please refrain from further infractions as it may endanger your account
status. Thank you for writing.

Regards,

Baxter Rhodes
eBay Community Watch


Yeehaw! Another example of big business "seeing it as they call it"!

"...Please refrain from further infractions as it may endanger your account
status. Thank you for writing..."

Oh, no, would that jeopardise my ability to buy "Nigger Brand" novelty items, Waffen SS cap badges, fisting porn CD-Roms, Skrewdriver albums, and "Clinton Commemorative Blowjob" coins?

What a shame that would be...sorry to compromise your ethics, Ebay.

[Frank_Person]

19. Yet this is ok?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3621986018&category=33791

[For PaisAn]

20. BS

I see EBAY has no problem with this item. What a bunch of hypocritical doubletalking crap.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2945260546&category=33917

[karlschneider]

21. I couldn't figure out what the hell that giz was at all...........????

yikes
:eyes:

[For PaisAn]

22. scroll down

to the bottom of the listing and click on the bottom smaller picture to enlarge it. I don't know what the machine frame is all about but the coin would appear to violate EBAY rules.