Are Ads Selling Americana Items (Cast Iron Lawn Jockey) Allowed?
I just starting selling on eBay because I have some Americana items I would like to sell.
I thought eBay would be a good place to sell these items because, for years, I have seen these kinds of items on this platform.
One of the first things I posted was an ad featuring my Cast Iron Lawn Jockey. There are so many of these being sold on eBay that I can't count them all, but I posted my Lawn Jockey at a lower price where I hoped it would sell.
After only a few days, I got an offer and many people were interested in it, yet it was taken down. I received a message from eBay about how this product was somehow objectionable.
(Lawn Jockey's are a part of American History and for those who know of its origin, it is not an objectionable item to have in a home or a museum. But if it is, why are countless other eBay ads featuring the same thing, along with other Black Memorabilia items?)
Since I saw one that looked exactly like my Cast Iron Lawn Jockey, I again posted my large Lawn Jockey connected to it, but about 3 days later, it was taken down again -- but the one Lawn Jockey that looks almost identical to mine was not removed.
What is going on?
I want to sell my Cast Iron Lawn Jockey just like everyone else, so why is mine being taken down while there are countless others that are offered for sale on Ebay?
soh.maryl
·1 year agoWhat color is your cast iron lawn jockey?
luckythewinner
·1 year agoI want to sell my Cast Iron Lawn Jockey just like everyone else
What you want does not matter. They are not allowed. Not because they are "americana" but because they are a caricature that portrays a negative stereotype.
why is mine being taken down while there are countless others that are offered for sale on Ebay?
With 1.5 billion listings, eBay policy enforcement has never been - and never will be - timely, comprehensive, or accurate.
For the several days that your listing was up, there were other sellers with lawn jockeys that had already been taken down who were complaining that you were the one getting special treatment.
marc_4628
OP1 year agoThanks for the prompt information folks.
I was just under the impression that eBay DOES sell Memorabilia like this, when they do, but some people get caught while many others don't. Thanks. I get it now and won't post it again on eBay.
And by the way, History that is accurate and informative and has historic origins is not offensive to me. I learn from it, as an African-American who has collected these things for years.
Have a great day everyone. And thanks again.
jonathanbrightlight
·1 year agoI always recommend doing a read through of the eBay Help pages related to items you're trying to list that you suspect might not be allowed, and maybe even better, come to these forums and search for other poster's history with them, or just go ahead and ask (either here on the Selling boards or in the "eBay Groups" categories that fits the type of item). Trusting that because others are selling something means that you can sell it has led many a seller to problems.
albertabrightalberta
·1 year ago@marc_4628
Either ebay caught your listing or someone reported it. That's why your listings were removed.
It's like speeding; some get caught while others get away with it.
Here's the policy:
https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/prohibited-restricted-items/prohibited-restricted-items?id=4207&st=3&pos=1&query=Prohibited%20and%20restricted%20items&intent=restricted%20items&lucenceai=lucenceai&docId=HELP1176
Offensive material policy
Listings or content that promote, perpetuate or glorify hatred, violence, or discrimination, including on the grounds of race, ethnicity, color, religion, disability, national origin, sex, gender and gender identity or sexual orientation, aren't allowed. This includes but is not limited to the following:
tobaccocardyahoo
·1 year agoIf you are talking about racially insensitive lawn jockeys, they get taken down if some sensitive person complains.
Ebay censors listings when they are brought to its attention.
jonathanbrightlight
·1 year agoeBay's enforcement of policies like that is never going to be comprehensive or complete, simply because there are too many items for them to effectively police even with bots doing a lot of the work. They partially rely on users to report listings, though just having a listing reported is no guarantee it will be taken down.
I would definitely recommend you not try to list that on eBay again. Whether you think it should be allowed or not, repeated takedowns of an item will put your account in jeopardy and you could lose the ability to sell anything at all. I'm not even commenting on whether you should be allowed to sell it or whether it does technically violate the current policy, only that continuing to relist it is going to end poorly for you.
albertabrightalberta
·1 year agoIt's not allowed.
Count yourself lucky that you didn't experience the same removal of your Chalkware item that you sold.