eBay

dolphinsaraht · ‎05-19-2024

Hi, I specialize in selling My Little Pony items and was on (for a couple of years) a FB page for My Little Pony Buy, Sell and Swap. Recently, whoever was in charged kicked me off/blocked me from the page. When I asked why (they didn't even have the courtesy of telling me in a message that I'd been kicked off), they said it was because I was buying ponies and selling them for a profit. I asked if this was against the law, or even the rules of the page. (When I buy ponies using this page, I sell them on eBay.) I don't understand why the entire concept of flipping is "wrong." Many people flip on eBay and make this their entire income stream, and I don't think it's either illegal or unethical to do so. I buy from willing sellers, sell to willing buyers, never twisted anyone's arm to buy my stuff, etc. I just don't see how I'm hurting anyone.

Why would the page moderator (or whomever) take such issue with this? What do the rest of you think about flipping items?

I honestly think this is just capitalism and completely legit. If people don't want to buy what I'm selling, all they have to do is say "no thanks."

Because I'm blocked from the FB pony page, I can't really give more information about it.

dolphinsaraht · ‎05-20-2024

I think 10 times is an exaggeration, but I do see your point.

chevymontecarlo88 · ‎05-20-2024

@yuzuha wrote:
It's not wrong, but the group is entirely within their rights to decide that they don't want flippers as a part of it if their desire is to sell and swap items among people who are genuinely interested in collecting for themselves rather than trying to make a profit.

Honestly it does seem wrong that a group of people can ban certain types of people of participating in a group. That way of thinking seems a little dated and discriminatory. Everyone should have the right to refuse the sale to anyone they choose but to target a certain TYPE of person (resellers) from joining a group seems wrong. Its petty and in poor taste to do. Just ignore them or block them from your feed. IMHO I think we should be better than that.

- Be careful of those who support Luigi.

gone.c-33 · ‎05-20-2024

There’s nothing discriminatory about a group wanting to help people complete their collections at reasonable prices, I even think it’s a very noble thing. I actually think it’s in poor taste to begrudge people for trying to do the right thing.

I also believe eBay and the other online commerce platforms that came after created a reselling bubble that’s doomed to burst at one point. Collectors are starting to say no and band together, in such groups, to ensure that prices are artificially inflated by shelf clearers. People are refusing to pay the inflated prices and resellers get stuck with their merchandise.

Not everything has to be about the almighty dollar.

jerseyboymusic · ‎05-20-2024

I can only say this...

I am into bourbon and have a collection

I was on a FB group for bourbon enthusiasts in my area

One of the rules for that group (made by the admins) was no selling or trading. If a photo was posted of stuff in a store, the photo could NOT show a price

Repeat offenders were banned.

The rules were put into place by the admins, not FB

bryo_3145 · ‎05-20-2024

You purchased the item. It's yours. You own it. You can sell it for whatever price you want. This is the American way. I'm sure some corporate business is trying to take away that from us too. We our slowly losing our freedom, independence every day. Corporations are controlling, manipulating this country of ours. My brother (who resales on ebay) he got a threat from a corporate lawyer telling him to stop selling their product on ebay. Pretty soon they'll try to stop us from having a garage sale, or yard sale in our own back yard. "More land fill for our environment." We won't be able to buy a baseball card here soon without somebody else with their hand out.

chevymontecarlo88 · ‎05-20-2024

@gone.c-33 wrote:
There’s nothing discriminatory about a group wanting to help people complete their collections at reasonable prices, I even think it’s a very noble thing. I actually think it’s in poor taste to begrudge people for trying to do the right thing.

I also believe eBay and the other online commerce platforms that came after created a reselling bubble that’s doomed to burst at one point. Collectors are starting to say no and band together, in such groups, to ensure that prices are artificially inflated by shelf clearers. People are refusing to pay the inflated prices and resellers get stuck with their merchandise.

Not everything has to be about the almighty dollar.

I am not saying those who engage in that practice are doing anything "illegal", just seems wrong. Helping others is noble and commendable. Banning, censoring or shaming is not considered helping in my opinion. Replace "resellers" with another group of people (go down the list) and see how it sounds. I get the frustration of collectors that have to pay more for an item than what they can afford or want to pay. The market will dictate the price like it or not. Sorry. Supply and demand has always driven prices well before the interweb was a thing. I am not saying that the FB groups should not have rules and guidelines within the group or even change. Just think it could be handled better. Just trade or sell with who you feel comfortable with. Once you do trade or sell an item, it's no longer any of your business what the other does with that item. If you wanted to keep control of an item, don't let it go. Keep it. Besides you may find common ground with a flipper or two that has that rare poly pocket you need for your collection. Happens all of the time. IMHO Treat everyone how you would want to be treated. The OP stated they did nothing wrong and the group did not state "Flipping" was prohibited. After they banned them, they did not even have the courtesy to explain why or give them another chance. That is weak. If there were written rules within that FB group (OP FB Group reference), we would not be having this discussion.

Doing the right thing is not protecting the cost of a my little pony figurine. Just my opinion

Flippers Unite! (just kidding)

- Be careful of those who support Luigi.

byrd69er · ‎05-20-2024

You dialed the wrong number.

Wouldn't you get better answers from people in the FB community?

I suspect the entire story isn't being told here.

I could be wrong. It would be the first time.

pickapaper · ‎05-20-2024

Maybe not quite the same thing (being banned from stores) but I remember a few years ago Coach outlet stores were getting hit so hard with people buying their discounted handbags to resell on eBay that they put a limit of how many could be purchased from the store. They "sniffed out" who was buying for resale and didn't want to sell to them.

golfingaddict · ‎05-20-2024

I was actually banned from a retail and online store because I was buying to resell. I am no longer allowed in the physical store and I am unable to order from their online store.

At one point, that same store was selling on eBay themselves. They had a big shakeup with how they are doing things and about the same time they banned me (with a physical letter to me) they stopped selling on eBay.

Too bad for me, I did pretty well flipping their items.

dolphinsaraht · ‎05-20-2024

What would Coach care as long as people are buying their products? See what I mean?

Am I to understand that flipping items is "wrong"? Typically, I buy lots of ponies from FB marketplace or from eBay (in lots). Am I to understand that I shouldn't flip stuff because the previous seller will know and it will hurt their precious feelings?

When I buy stuff in person from FB marketplace, I don't usually say I am flipping things on eBay. If someone asks me if this is for my daughter, I say no, I am going to try to sell it on eBay. So far, no one has refused the sale for that reason.

dolphinsaraht · ‎05-20-2024

What is it you'd like to know?

Also, I don't know where on FB to talk about this. I suppose there might be an FB group for people who flip on eBay, but yeah, I thought I would go straight to the eBay community.

To reiterate, I don't see how I'm hurting anyone.

yuzuha · ‎05-20-2024

@chevymontecarlo88 wrote:
@yuzuha wrote:
It's not wrong, but the group is entirely within their rights to decide that they don't want flippers as a part of it if their desire is to sell and swap items among people who are genuinely interested in collecting for themselves rather than trying to make a profit.
Honestly it does seem wrong that a group of people can ban certain types of people of participating in a group. That way of thinking seems a little dated and discriminatory.

Why? If it's a group made by and for collectors of a particular item, it's entirely reasonable to restrict membership of the group to actual collectors. Many collectors are willing to sell or trade their items to other collectors for less than market value because they want them to go to a good home with an owner who will appreciate them as much as they do/did. I would say what was "wrong" would be people capitalizing on that by pretending to be a collector and then turning around and using other people's kindness and generosity for profit when those people were being kind specifically because they thought the person they were selling to/trading with was someone who loved that particular thing the same way they do.

golfingaddict · ‎05-20-2024

There is nothing wrong with flipping products.

However, sellers, collector clubs, stores, retailers and even eBay sellers can block you from buying from them. Or stepping into their store. Or using their "FB club" to find product. eBay sellers can block a buyer and not even provide a reason.

1. Yes, you can flip items.

2. Yes, a group/store/retailer can ban you if you are using them to buy products to flip.

chevymontecarlo88 · ‎05-20-2024

@golfingaddict wrote:
There is nothing wrong with flipping products.

However, sellers, collector clubs, stores, retailers and even eBay sellers can block you from buying from them. Or stepping into their store. Or using their "FB club" to find product. eBay sellers can block a buyer and not even provide a reason.

1. Yes, you can flip items.
2. Yes, a group/store/retailer can ban you if you are using them to buy products to flip.

Exactly! And you still can have an opinion on both.

Look i really do not care if anyone starts a FB group and has there rules and guidelines. Does not matter to me at all. However i do have my opinion and think energy could be better spent making relationships than trying to prevent others from participating. Just my opinion. No one is making the case for liars and cheaters.

- Be careful of those who support Luigi.