Contradictory Knife restrictions

[bijouhills]

Last week I listed a Gerber, Mark I fixed blade knife, which is a standard knife. Not illegal in any way. the listing was taken down citing, that I was in violation of Ebay policy. I called and the Ebay team reviewed it and okayed the item for relisting. The item was taken down two days later and the second time I called they denied it. Saying that it was a brand that they did not allow-which is absurd. Gerber makes everything from pocket knives to multi tools, hatchets and machetes. (There are over 5,000 gerber brand knives currently listed). 
There are also 12, Mark i knives listed now as well, and 40 sold in the last three months.

My frustration is not that the machine of eBay is unconscious, all systems have huge blind spots.  the problem is that when there’s a contradiction in Ebays policy, I expect the human representative to have the power to do something about it-which they didn’t, Even though they agreed with me.  This is a real problem and is why for years I am always looking for other platforms and ways to sell. 
I’m sure nothing will be done about this, but it feels good to say it. I’m sure others have experience something similar and haven’t voiced their opinion because they don’t want to be a part of a community forum-they would prefer to complain directly to Ebay, even though it feels as though no one is actually listening to the small sellers.
Happy selling✌️

[knifeaholic]

I can't directly solve your issue...but I FEEEEEEL your pain!!

I sell only vintage and some modern knives, mostly pocket knives.  Many collectible pocket knives, both vintage and modern, have bone handles (handles crafted from ordinary cattle bone).

For years I have battled eBay taking down my listings due to violations of their "animal products" policies.  This despite the fact that for every listing, I always put "bovine" before "bone", and in every listing I have standard verbiage that the bone handles are made from South American Zeb cattle bone, so no endangered species, etc. And yet...my listings continue to be taken down.

And...at any moment there are from 30,000 to 40,000 listings (verified by search) on eBay of knives with bone handles, 99.9% of which do not specify the bone type. 

AND...eBay's own listing template for item specifics just includes "bone" as a handle material choice...no specification as to the type of bone or species of animal.

I have listed many Gerber knives/tools, and eBay's listing template for item specifics has "Gerber" programmed in as an accepted brand name.

Without looking up the specific Gerber model - is it a double-edged knife?  That can be illegal in some jurisdictions. Maybe that is why it is flagged?

[house*of*paws]

Hi @bijouhills 

Once an item has been pulled once, it will almost definitely be pulled again if relisted … regardless of what you are told by a CS rep, who likely isn’t authorized to reprogram the bot.

NEVER relist an item that’s been removed.  The trip to permanent restriction from selling is very short.

 
I’m very sorry this happened.

[slippinjimmy]

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@bijouhills wrote:

Last week I listed a Gerber, Mark I fixed blade knife, which is a standard knife. Not illegal in any way. the listing was taken down citing, that I was in violation of Ebay policy. I called and the Ebay team reviewed it and okayed the item for relisting. The item was taken down two days later and the second time I called they denied it. Saying that it was a brand that they did not allow-which is absurd. Gerber makes everything from pocket knives to multi tools, hatchets and machetes. (There are over 5,000 gerber brand knives currently listed). 
There are also 12, Mark i knives listed now as well, and 40 sold in the last three months.

My frustration is not that the machine of eBay is unconscious, all systems have huge blind spots.  the problem is that when there’s a contradiction in Ebays policy, I expect the human representative to have the power to do something about it-which they didn’t, Even though they agreed with me.  This is a real problem and is why for years I am always looking for other platforms and ways to sell. 
I’m sure nothing will be done about this, but it feels good to say it. I’m sure others have experience something similar and haven’t voiced their opinion because they don’t want to be a part of a community forum-they would prefer to complain directly to Ebay, even though it feels as though no one is actually listening to the small sellers.
Happy selling✌️

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Were you offering International shipping (either direct or via EIS) on the knife? If the answer is yes then that might be the source of your issues. Knives are banned in a few countries including the UK and this can lead to a listing being pulled and would also explain why you were told that it was ok to list (should have been told ok to list IF only shipping within the US).

So this could be a case of being told correct information (ok/not ok) but not the specifics of why it could be both ok and not ok.

I can't be 100% certain this is the reason but I have seen this before with knives.

[bijouhills]

I have fallen victim to the bone handle removal multiple times as well 😂.
I didn’t know about the double edge restriction. It is a dagger so that is a possibility. 
Thanks!

[bijouhills]

I only offer shipping internationally using whatever Ebay‘s new global shipping program is. I was told once by a representative that it was OK to have the GSP selected for these categories because the Ebay system filters everything out based on the restrictions of the country and they would be unable to buy restricted items. in my experience this has also seemed to be true. 
thanks for the reply!