Things You Can't Buy On Ebay
By Jay Bauder, Mon Jan 2nd

The eBay Blacklist

eBay can be most likened to an online flea market. But, as withmost flea markets, there is always the possibility thatquestionable hawkers lurk around the corners. Therefore, theremust be rules in place to insure that the auctions andtransactions formed through eBay are legal. Only then can amarket - online or not - flourish.

Certain types of items are prohibited or regulated on eBay. eBayreserves the right to terminate auctions that violate itsspecifications for allowed items on listing. In the case ofsuch, eBay emails the bidder and the seller to notify them ofthe violation and to explain the need to terminate the auction.

eBay's policies describe items that may not be posted forauction. They fall under three categories: ProhibitedQuestionable, and Potentially Infringing.

Prohibited This describes items that are not permitted on eBay.This list includes alcohol, tobacco, drugs, animals, human partsor remains, government properties, lottery tickets, and others.eBay contains a complete list of such in their policy statement.

Questionable Items listed as questionable can be posted providedthey follow certain conditions. For example, some adult materialmay be listed for auctioning only if they are posted in theMature Audiences section of eBay. Event tickets may be soldprovided that the auction closes before the actual event itself.The list also includes batteries, artifacts, food, used items,event tickets, weapons and knives, police related equipment,Freon, hazardous chemicals, offensive material, mature audiencesmaterial, international selling, and international buying amongothers.

Potentially Infringing Items listed under this heading may belegal. However, they almost always violate copyright, trademark,and other rights. Some examples of such are: academic software,beta software, bootleg recordings, contracts and tickets,downloadable media, movie prints, OEM software, Replica andcounterfeit items, and unauthorized copies.

This list is updated periodically and is incorporated into theUser Agreement of eBay. These guidelines do not represent legaladvice. It would do well to check with law enforcement agencies,a lawyer, or other legal outlets to verify the legality of aquestionable item to be posted.

This policy applies even if you offer to give your item away forfree. As long as it is posted on eBay, it is subject to theabovementioned policy.

As a final note, it is stressed that the buyer if subject toliability if he or she purchases an illegal item. It is stillthe responsibility of the buyers and sellers to monitor thelegality of their transactions since eBay is merely afacilitator in the market process.

About the author:

Jay is the web owner of http://www.the-lowest-prices.com Online Shoppping, awebsite that provides information and resources on onlineshopping malls and discounts. You can visit his website at:http://www.citydeals.net Online Deals