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Are there any eBay controls for price gouging?
I found a listing for two (2) 50 watt incandescent light bulbs. The cost is $59.99. Despite the regulations involved, and that buyers must always be thoughtful about what they purchase, that price seems to border on the criminal. I see the listing states these are the last available, with 17 sold, so it sure looks like eBay needs to institute some controls. No? And here's another - one 4-pack for $12.00 with shipping cost of $27.15.
"Just don't buy them," is not the answer when an item is integral.
3 comments
shipscript
·3 years agoSellers are free to set their own prices. Don't like the price? Simply purchase from another seller.
eBay does have a policy against price gouging on items that are in short supply and that may be rationed. Light bulbs are not in that category. They are readily available, except in some jurisdictions that ban them.
Being in one of those jurisdictions myself, I'm looking for incandescent light bulbs on the black market. 😎
maxi314
OP3 years agoAs of July, the ban is nation-wide. I have read of fines of $500 and up for selling/distributing one incandescent light bulb. That's a heavier fine than for actual crimes. Incandescent light bulbs are, in fact, in short supply. I do not know of any black market suppliers.
inceptions
Mentor3 years agoPrice gouging applies to items in short supply that are critical during an emergency (such as face masks and hand sanitizer during a worldwide pandemic or bottled water and lumber in local stores after a tornado). It doesn't apply to light bulbs.