eBay I’m breaking up with you

And it’s all over this box.

When eBay arrived on the scene I was as enthralled as the rest with stories of used sneakers going for $0.25 on this new internet marketplace.  Years later I read Born to Run and understood there is a whole movement of folks wanting used, broken down running shoes and again I thought, how perfect that eBay provides a place for these items, that are headed for the trash, to end up in someone else’s possession and use.

BUT NOW, I have been offended by eBay twice and I think I’ve had enough.  The first time was years ago during my transition from career lady to stay at home mom – I had loads of clothes that needed to go and Buffalo Exchange was not yet up and running in my city.  So I dutifully list my items and wait for the magic.  I think I hit 20 transactions when eBay sends me a notice questioning the “authenticity” of my items and I was SUSPENDED for 20 days or something.  Let me tell you folks, I am a good girl, a rule follower, getting suspended from eBay made me cry……I was pregnant at the time so perhaps hormones were involved, BUT STILL.  We, eBay and I, get it all straightened out, my honor is re-established but I stop eBay-ing.

Years pass and my husband and I are ready to fill our home with a few unique items so we venture back into the land of eBay.  It’s wonderful, I could never have found the light fixtures we have hanging in our home anywhere short of a New York City flea market that requires pre-dawn attendance.  Since the New York flea market was NOT going to happen I was thrilled with my eBay experiences.

More years pass and I decide it’s time to once again sell something with eBay.  See above picture of Vintage Navy Leather Tiffany and Co Box.  I had sold one of these before on eBay, during my first 20 transactions, but had held onto a few thinking if I have a daughter maybe she’ll like them?  I have a daughter, she couldn’t care less so I can get them into someone else’s hands now.  I list them, opening bid $1.99, I’m not greedy folks, just thought someone who’s into Tiffany’s might like this sort of thing.

24 hours pass and I’m notified my listing has been removed!  Here it is in their words:

“– To provide a safer trading experience, certain branded items are not allowed on eBay without their accompanying product.

— This policy includes empty branded boxes, dustbags, and blank warranty certificates”

I am crestfallen, the whole idea of eBay as a wonderful open marketplace where one person’s trash is another’s treasure and all that now seems like phooey.  Pffff, eBay we are SOOOOO over.