Being singled out~Auctions removed

[doxiesarebest]

I recently listed several salt & pepper shakers. The description was the same for all, only the title changed. 1) "VINTAGE EARLY JAPAN ~BLACK AMERICANA KIDS W/HATS~ SALT AND PEPPER"  and  2)  "VINTAGE EARLY JAPAN ~BLACK AMERICANA COOKS~ SALT AND PEPPER"

Two auctions were canceled by eBay.

Reason?  "Some item(s) you listed related to Black Americana are now covered under that policy and are no longer allowed on eBay"

HERE'S THE THING...

There are many (thousands) of listings with the two so called 'offensive words' BLACK AMERICANA. 

Plus, under the main category "Ethnic & Cultural Collectibles", there is a sub category called BLACK AMERICANA with SEVEN other types of BLACK AMERICANA within those categories.

I called ebay and within 24 hours they sent me a canned reply saying the same thing. "We recently updated our Offensive Materials Policy to prohibit items that portray negativity or stereotypes based on race or ethnicity. Some item(s) you listed related to Black Americana are now covered under that policy and are no longer allowed on eBay."

Obviously I'm being singled out here, and I'm considering a law suit.

Any suggestions?

[chapeau-noir]

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@bonjourami wrote:

"Obviously I'm being singled out here, and I'm considering a law suit"

Hope you have a real good dream team of lawyers, to match Ebays.

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I hear Crazy Rudy might be available.

As for 'banned' items - there are well over a billion items running on ebay - it's impossible for them to police everything, so they have to make these overall rules because there is not the staff, nor the ability, to adjudicate every.single.item.  eTailing continually evolves, and there are now many specialist and smaller sites where all sorts of items can be listed - it's capitalism at work.

[bonjourami]

"I hear Crazy Rudy might be available"

LOL!!!!

[nuvistors]

Ebay is a law unto itself..but Im glad they are removing them here..Ive seen some that made me cringe.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Some people are very afraid of salt and pepper shakers.

[bonjourami]

Well I get the sarcasm...but my dear Black friend used to send me links that made her cry...shes gone now, but not forgotten.

[lakefor94]

"Obviously I'm being singled out here, and I'm considering a law suit.

Any suggestions?"

No suggestions here, I am laughing too hard.....

It is amazing how many sellers think they could file a lawsuit. Shear foolishness. But they sound tough. 

[luckythewinner]

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@doxiesarebest wrote:

Obviously I'm being singled out here, and I'm considering a law suit.

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You are not being singled out; plenty of other people on this board are complaining about the same thing. 

re. lawsuit - make sure you tell your lawyer that you agreed to this part of the user agreement: 

"we reserve the right to refuse, modify, or terminate all or part of our Services to anyone for any reason at our discretion"

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/member-behaviour-policies/user-agreement?id=4259

[doxiesarebest]

No.  If there was I would have said so. 

[doxiesarebest]

" Just because someone else hasn't been caught yet doesn't absolve you from having to play by the rules"

And the fact they have a category called "Ethnic & Cultural Collectibles", there is a sub category called BLACK AMERICANA with SEVEN other types of BLACK AMERICANA within those categories???

Sorry bud.

But your argument doesn't hold water when eBay has 7 categories JUST FOR  BLACK AMERICANA!

[bonjourami]

"But your argument doesn't hold water when eBay has 7 categories JUST FOR  BLACK AMERICANA!"

Maybe you can take that up with your lawyer.

[pburn]

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@doxiesarebest wrote:

And the fact they have a category called "Ethnic & Cultural Collectibles", there is a sub category called BLACK AMERICANA with SEVEN other types of BLACK AMERICANA within those categories???

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Not all Black Americana is banned.

From the policy:

The following items may be listed:

• Media such as historical photos, magazines, books and art, provided that such material doesn't perpetuate or glorify violence, intolerance or racial stereotyping
• Items related to the Civil Rights Movement

What exactly are the seven categories for Black Americana? Would you mind posting the list here?

[tdumonde2014]

May I recommend the firm of Dewey, Cheatham, and Howe, they come highly recommended. Tell them Moe sent you.

[go-bad-chicken]

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@pburn wrote:

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@doxiesarebest wrote:

And the fact they have a category called "Ethnic & Cultural Collectibles", there is a sub category called BLACK AMERICANA with SEVEN other types of BLACK AMERICANA within those categories???

---

Not all Black Americana is banned.

From the policy:

The following items may be listed:

• Media such as historical photos, magazines, books and art, provided that such material doesn't perpetuate or glorify violence, intolerance or racial stereotyping
• Items related to the Civil Rights Movement

What exactly are the seven categories for Black Americana? Would you mind posting the list here?

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• Black Americana - Has 7 sub categories
• Books
• Cards
• Magazines
• Paper
• Photos
• Prints, Posters & Paintings
• Reproductions

https://www.ebay.com/b/Black-Americana-Collectibles/29457/bn_2312323 

[pburn]

@go-bad-chicken 

Thanks--I saw those, but I assumed I had overlooked something. Where's the category for salt & pepper shakers?

[go-bad-chicken]

While I am not absolutely certain I don't believe that the actual "Black Americana" eBay category ever had a sub category that would have been an appropriate fit for things like salt and pepper shakers. But I can not be certain about that.

Ever since eBay made their announcement regarding Black Americana this past summer I think that sellers who use that term within either their titles or their descriptions are getting automatically flagged and reviewed.

eBay announcement from 06-18-2020

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Announcements/Commemorating-Juneteenth/ba-p/31018439 

"As some of you already know, we are also tightening our restrictions to ensure eBay is free of Black Americana items that portray negativity or stereotypes based on race or ethnicity, or that are discriminatory or demeaning. While some of these items have been permitted for educational or artistic purposes in the past, they may also perpetuate bigotry and intolerance. You can review the updated policy here.  I’m sure you’ve seen other brands make similar moves and this definitely reflects how our society is evolving. Every day we strive to do better and ensure eBay is a safe, inclusive and respectful marketplace."

[pburn]

Gotcha.

My point was really whether the OP's argument that there were seven "Black Americana" categories so why can't s/he list the salt & pepper shakers doesn't hold up to any scrutiny, since none of those seven categories would be appropriate for listing that kind of item anyway.