eBay--Someone selling for personal profit re: Cindy Sheehan

[Whoa_Nelly]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5608264953

This bugs me. Someone is selling a baseball that has a sad face drawn on it that the seller claims "magically apperared". The seller goes on to state that this is all about Cindy's tears, but no where is there any indication that the profit from the sale will be donated to something like Peace House.

This eBay item/seller also bothers me because of using Cindy's name to capitalize on her grief.

If anything, I think eBay would not approve the title for this item since the sad face was obviously drawn on the baseball with permanent marker, and did not "magically" appear.

[hallc]

1. whats surprising is..

9 people actually bid on it...why?:wtf:

[beyurslf]

2. The description is revised and no longer says that.

It is a joke.

[SouthernDem2004]

3. Reread the ad. It is mocking her.

[Trillo]

4. I was somewhat perturbed that some people had purchased

Cindy Sheehan's DOB from an online data service where she likely got no royalty from that transaction.

[5X]

5. And everytime someone here mentions it...

the seller gets new hits on his item, promoting his messages.

[Whoa_Nelly]

7. Am thinnking this should be reported to eBay

It would seem that somewhere in eBay's listing policies that it's not allowed to sell an item this way, if only to state "Magically Appereared". I went looking through eBay site to find out how to report/alert about an item, but couldn't find the link.

[AlGore-08.com]

10. I dunno if it's in violation, but this seems to be the closest ebay rule

http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/signatures.html

Faces, Names and Signatures

Sellers are not permitted to list an item containing the image, likeness, name, or signature of another person unless the product was made or authorized by that person.

Violations of this policy may result in a range of actions, including:

Listing cancellation
Limits on account privileges
Account suspension
Forfeit of eBay fees on cancelled listings
Loss of PowerSeller status


Their contact page is here:

http://pages.ebay.com/help/contact_us/_base/index.html

[Whoa_Nelly]

11. Thanks

Your info was very helpful.

[hobbit709]

6. Evidently he's a real smartass too

judging from the description of the item.

[Maraya1969]

8. How do you people FIND these things? Do you just do searches

with random words?

Also we could make some money for the DNC by auctioning things.

[AlGore-08.com]

9. Re: political fundraising through ebay - - lots of regs involved

You'd have to make sure there were no state or local laws against it in your home area, and you'd have to make sure that you followed FEC regulations - - then there are ebay's own rules:

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

For example:

http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/fundraising.html

Charity or Fundraising Listings

Charitable fundraising is a highly regulated area subject to numerous state and federal laws. eBay allows sellers to list items and collect proceeds (in whole or in part) on behalf of charity either with eBay Giving Works (the dedicated program for charity listings on eBay) or without eBay Giving Works (as long as the listings meet our specific guidelines for charitable solicitations).

Violations of this policy may result in a range of actions, including:

Listing cancellation
Limits on account privileges
Account suspension
Forfeit of eBay fees on cancelled listings
Loss of PowerSeller status


http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/politicalmem.html

Reproduction Political Memorabilia

Sellers listing items in the political categories must protect potential buyers by abiding by the Hobby Protection Act.

http://apic.us/Lib/HPA.asp

Sellers must also be aware of this law to protect themselves from any violations of Federal law which could impose fines, penalties, or both.

Political Memorabilia reproductions and fantasy items must be clearly marked as such. Sellers must also state this in the item description.
The font size of this reference text must be identical to that of the rest of the listing.
These items must be listed in the Repros, Fantasy Items category, which resides under the Political Memorabilia > U.S. category
This policy applies to all political memorabilia, including buttons, posters, literature, stickers, or other forms of political advertisements and candidate promotions.

Violations of this policy may result in a range of actions, including:

Listing cancellation
Limits on account privileges
Account suspension
Forfeit of eBay fees on cancelled listings
Loss of PowerSeller status

[sakabatou]

12. WTF? Is the seller on drugs?

Or just a shrivled heart?

[Maddy McCall]

13. Two options. Report it to Ebay or forget about it.

If ebay gets enough complaints, perhaps they will yank the auction. However, once people see that this shit is getting under Cindy's supporters' skin, the assholes will start these auctions over and over.

This guy's true ambition isn't to sell a baseball with a frowny face on it. He's hoping that enough people take notice that Fox will call him and he can make national news.

My opinion? Ignore him. Let the slime have their fun.

[NiteOwll]

14. I reported it to eBay...

Auctions get removed from eBay all the time. No biggie. It seems to me that if eBay allows the "Magic" Cindy Sheehan baseball auction to stay up, then obviously eBay is in favor of defaming and ridiculing mothers of dead American soldiers.