eBay Preventing Vaping Sales

[rickyrickeric]

I very recently had up for auction on eBay a group of my old Kanger products for sale. Imagine my surprise, as I just received a notice from eBay stating they had just cancelled my auction, explaining that my items "violated eBay's policy towards e-cigarettes". I had no idea eBay was so opposed to the sale of vaping products, so I called customer service. The lady explained that, as of March 30th 2015, eBay would begin to systematically remove any and all listings related to e-cigarette commerce, since the position of the Federal Government was still unclear with regards to e-cigarettes.



Yet another witch hunt from ignorant fools.

I told the lady that, while I understood eBay's position in light of the gray areas, and that I certainly was not upset at her personally, I was still extremely disappointed in their decision. I asked that my opinions become part of the record that might find their way up to the powers that be at eBay. I told her that the vaping community is an ever-growing one, and eBay's decision to disallow vaping supplies will have a significant impact on them.

I was neither abusive, nor belligerent, nor profane in my discussion with her. I was polite and calm. And yet, she was in an obviously uncomfortable hurry to get me off the phone, leading me to believe that I had struck a nerve.

I have purchased from eBay Kanthal wire, Japanese cotton, ceramic tweezers, a butane torch, replacement glass tanks, and other various accessories over the past two years. This latest decision by eBay just reinforces my opinion that, despite the fact we are in the 21st century, we continue to live in the Dark Ages.

 

[Thrasher]

Yup you bought all that stuff , chances are non of it was actually labeled vape gear.
People have been running in the grey area for a long time. I wondered when they would figure it out.

Don't buy stuff on ebay, support the vendors, not eBay's bs fees

 

[crxess]

Buyer does not pay fees

Sellers should try Our own Classified section.

 

[Nickstive]

I got that same email today actually, trying to sell my Kanger Aerotank. What I find funny (in a totally sarcastic way) is how they tie it to tobacco products and then use the catch all, "no federal regulations" bs. Welp, not going to be using eBay anymore; damned fascists. Glad to see I'm not the only one who finds this totally absurd.

 

[rickyrickeric]

Buyer does not pay fees

Sellers should try Our own Classified section.

Yep! After this BS, I started the verification process for ECF's Classified section.

 

[Thrasher]

Yep! After this BS, I started the verification process for ECF's Classified section.

Oh man, hold onto your wallet now lol

There's always something exotic floating around in there.

 

[Nickstive]

Also going to start the verification process. Not to get all soapboxy here, but seriously, @#$% eBay.

 

[Bunnykiller]

yup no e cig stuff on Ebay but you can buy Tannerite, 25+watt lasers, aluminum powder.....

 

[retired1]

eBay has had this policy for years. It should be absolutely no surprise when a sale gets shut down.

 

[Rule62]

eBay has had this policy for years. It should be absolutely no surprise when a sale gets shut down.

They have; but the enforcement has been hit or miss. Some folks have been shut down; while others have gotten by. It sounds like they are just beginning to take a more aggressive approach.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[93gc40]

Quit BLAMING EBAY or Vendors for this crap.. This crap is being done via FEDERAL BANKING REGULATIONS. Basically E-Cigarettes are being "banned" along with tobacco sales, casino moneys, and many other 'vice" type industries. By the Feds making it hard for the BANK to process the money from this type of business.. They are doing it to Brick and mortor shops ALSO.

 

[440BB]

I stopped using ebay for the most part after I started vaping and learned about their policies regarding ecigs. I hunt for vaping deals still, just in the ecig community. Ironically, ECF uses up all the time I used to spend on Ebay. Between policies like this, chinese vendors and craigslist, it is pretty easy to just walk away from ebay to show them how you feel.

 

[Nickstive]

Quit BLAMING EBAY or Vendors for this crap.. This crap is being done via FEDERAL BANKING REGULATIONS. Basically E-Cigarettes are being "banned" along with tobacco sales, casino moneys, and many other 'vice" type industries. By the Feds making it hard for the BANK to process the money from this type of business.. They are doing it to Brick and mortor shops ALSO.

As far as I know, there are no federal regulations in regards to the sale of electronic cigarettes, just tobacco products. eBay has, within it's rights, decided to include e cigarettes in this category and I, exercising both my freedom of speech and consumer choice, will both voice my disagreement and no longer do business with them.

 

[richboyporter]

I am a proud ebay buyer and seller. Most likely your auction was canceled do to it being "used" and could possibly contain trace amounts of nicotine. You are not allowed to sell products on ebay that contains nicotine on the possibility of containing nicotine. And when you sell vaping items you must clearly state in your discription that the item doesn't contain any nicotine.

I support the vendors. But alot of stuff is just completely over priced at b&m's im not rich by any means. But even ebay sellers are "vendors" trying to make a living.

 

[Underwhelmed]

eBay has had this policy for years. It should be absolutely no surprise when a sale gets shut down.

Yep, and yet every week there is a new post with someone shocked about it.

 

[spartanstew]

I'm surprised the OP has been here a year and a half and never noticed any of the other 1000 posts on this topic.

 

[juggler86]

yup no e cig stuff on Ebay but you can buy Tannerite, 25+watt lasers, aluminum powder.....

There is no 25watt lazers on ebay. They have some 4.2watts maybe 5.5w and those are powerful enough to set fires. A 25w lazer would incinerate most stuff in a matter of seconds, could easily kill a person with 1.

Besides that who doesnt use their lazer to blow up tannerite and aluminum powder mix on a daily basis. Come on those have practical uses unlike vape gear.

Besides that ive never had any problems ordering any vape related gear off ebay. Searching "vape" turns up thousands of results, it just matters whos paying ebay and who isnt. Youre a small time, so they make an example out of you because youre not bringing it much for them. They dont shut down the big fish because then theyre loosing money, so they conviently decide the policy at for them.

It shouldnt really suprise or make anybody upset that they work like this. Thats just the way the world works and will continue to work.

 

[MagicJosh]

I just sold an istick last week and an aspire nutlis. Strange. If its got no nicotine they can't do that.

 

[rickyrickeric]

OK, obviously I need to clarify my original post somewhat.

First of all, it was my understanding that, provided the eBay listing did not contain nicotine or tobacco, it was permissible. Having seen thousands of auctions for said items on eBay, it appeared perfectly legit to sell.

Second, the rep confirmed that this latest series of bans was enacted recently, in fact, March 30th of this year. Prior to this date, hardware was not an issue. So yes, I have read previous threads on the subject here on ECF, but this latest round of cancelling auctions is due to recent changes enacted less than a week ago. Again, this is what the eBay rep told me.

Third, I believe I put in my original post that I did not hold eBay or the rep personally accountable, and I am well aware that this is due to the Feds stance at the moment. My only real beef was that I wished eBay would take a stronger position on the subject considering the amount of revenue vape supplies generate on their site.

Forth, my auction was not cancelled due to being used items. The rep again was very clear that, because of the recent changes in their policy, eBay will start shutting down ALL vape-related auctions, used or new notwithstanding.

 

[Nickstive]

There is no 25watt lazers on ebay. They have some 4.2watts maybe 5.5w and those are powerful enough to set fires. A 25w lazer would incinerate most stuff in a matter of seconds, could easily kill a person with 1.

Besides that who doesnt use their lazer to blow up tannerite and aluminum powder mix on a daily basis. Come on those have practical uses unlike vape gear.

Besides that ive never had any problems ordering any vape related gear off ebay. Searching "vape" turns up thousands of results, it just matters whos paying ebay and who isnt. Youre a small time, so they make an example out of you because youre not bringing it much for them. They dont shut down the big fish because then theyre loosing money, so they conviently decide the policy at for them.

It shouldnt really suprise or make anybody upset that they work like this. Thats just the way the world works and will continue to work.

You make a very solid point about large vendors getting away with it because of the business they bring to the company; however, it only works that way because we, the consumers allow it to.

For example, Wal-Mart used to sell dairy products containing bovine growth hormones. When enough people stopped buying the products and insisted that the company change their vendors, Wal-Mart could not afford to ignore it and as a result, all of their dairy products are growth hormone free.

The idea that, "this is how things are and they're never going to change" is flawed. This is America. Change happens all the time, when enough people aren't complacent and stand together in their demands. I feel as a community, we need to be active and demand policies like this be changed.

No hard feelings to anyone here; you guys are all awesome. I'm not a huge fan of corporations tiptoeing and kowtowing to federal legislation.