I purchased a product with title "Kitchen Food Spice Desiccant Strips Moisture Absorber Diatomite Food Grade". When the product arrived, the packaging was entirely in Japanese. Diatomite is used in everything from explosives, food additives for animals, pesticides and water filtration (wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatomaceous_earth). Maybe it's a desiccant for potted plants, but I don't know because the packaging is in Japanese.
If I knew this product was dangerous or clearly misrepresented, then I would make a complaint to eBay. But what can I say to eBay? The package is in Japanese!!
So I message the seller about my concerns and asked if they would send proof the product is what they say it is. How do they know what this product is? Whatever proof they have, they should send. They responded by saying I should just use Google translate. I used Google Translate, and there is no explicit mention of "food grade". It's just care instructions with one reference to not use with 'sugar'. One word is carrying a lot of weight.
I retorted that it's illegal to sell certain products (foods, cosmetics) in the US without English labeling, and if you don't come up with something to legitimize your claim I will leave negative feedback. They didn't and I did. Then eBay took down my feedback as extortion to demand something not sold in the original auction:
"We’ve looked at your eBay account and see that some of your actions do not follow eBay's Feedback extortion policy [...] Forcing a seller to provide goods and services that weren't included in the original item's description."
As a member of this community, I feel I have a responsibility to my fellow eBay users when a seller is not acting in good faith. Now, I'm asking my fellow eBay users--Does this feel like a violation of trust and faith by the seller? I can get over it for the small cost of the purchase, but I think this Seller stinks. Do I have a duty to the community to escalate this with eBay?
Signed,
eBay user Since 1998
Google Translate:
Diatomaceous earth desiccant
Diatomaceous earth has excellent water absorption properties and quickly absorbs moisture from storage
containers. Maintenance is easy as it dries naturally over time. The material is made from natural soil,
making it perfect for those who love nature and aspire to a smart lifestyle. The main component of
diatomaceous earth is silicon, which has a neutral pH and is non-toxic. There are countless tiny particles on the surface that are invisible to the naked eye, and they purify the air by absorbing and decomposing odors.
Product name
Diatomaceous earth desiccant
use
Drying, dehumidification, and deodorization of salt and dry goods storage containers.
Specification
material
Approximately length 60*width 15*thickness 9mm Approximately 10g each (4 pieces)
diatomaceous earth
Product description:
○If used continuously, the adsorption power of diatomaceous earth will reach a saturated state and the
adsorption power will become weaker. After use, lightly polish the surface with sandpaper to restore
the adsorption effect.
○Do not wash the product using detergents that contain strong activators.
○If there is dirt or stains on the surface of the product, wipe it with a soft cloth lightly
dampened with bleach, then rinse immediately with water. Then, let it air dry in a
well-ventilated place.
○The phenomenon where a small amount of powder remains on the product surface is caused by the material characteristics and
is not a quality problem.
○ There is no need to worry even if there are slight distortions or cracks on the product appearance. Also,
The appearance of pale patterns, brown stains, black sand, etc. is due to the mixing of materials
during manufacturing and does not affect the suction power.
○If the product is submerged in water for a long time, the material may deteriorate and the diatomaceous
earth on the surface may peel off or change color.
○To prevent mold, please dry it in the shade for 4-5 days in a well-ventilated place,
usually for two months, and once a month during the rainy season.
○This product is fragile, so please handle with care. If it breaks, wrap it in cloth, being careful
not to get injured by the fragments, and use it as a deodorizing and dehumidifying agent.
Please use it. ○If there
is dirt that cannot be washed off that affects the appearance, wrap it in cloth, etc., and remove it.
Please use it as an odor dehumidifier.
○Keeping the surface of the product in a clean condition will extend the usable period.
Disposal method: As with ceramic products, please dispose of according to the instructions of each local
government.
Precautions: ○Please keep out of reach of children.
○Do not immerse it in water.
○Cannot be used in storage containers containing sugar. It absorbs too much moisture
and the sugar curdles.
(paper plastic
