Mystery boxes

[lymer-3]

Hi everyone

I recently saw some videos on Youtube on mystery boxes. I thought it was an interesting idea. But then when I looked at the selling policies of Ebay, I saw that these kind of boxes are forbidden to sell because the items included aren't specified. I do get why, because it can be abused by con artists who earn a lot by it and then the seller gets nothing in return. 

But I do really like the idea and I think it could be a fun experience for a customer if the value is equal or more than the selling price. So I started thinking if there was a possibility to go forward with this idea, but to not break the rules of ebay. 

The selling policy says a seller needs to describe what's inside. Would it be possible to sell themed mystery boxes with fixed items which will be described in the listing. Like saying what an item would be, but not go in detail, otherwise there's no mystery. Like for example on one of the fixed items stating that it's book, giving a genre, the amount, the condition but not the title. 

And then also the possibility for bonus items, but the item and amount depending on the size of the box. But again to not break the rules, describe it as the fixed items. Does that make sense? And if so, would it then be allowed to sell? 

Thanks in advance! 🙂

[smenkveld]

Ebay and paypal are not the venue to use for mystery boxes because it is way to easy for the seller get scammed and lose the item and the money and to be permanently banned from selling on ebay. If you feel you have to sell such an item find a different venue to sell them on because it will end very bad for you on ebay.  You know those youtube mystery box videos are fake made by scam artists hoping lure in suckers to buy listings.

[lex-talon]

You would need to identify the item in your title. For example, "mystery book". This is not something I recommend at all.

[lymer-3]

Hi Smenkveld

Thank you for your response. But Ebay is now used to sell mystery boxes. Because when I type it in the search bar there are many results that pop up. And many of them have got positive reviews.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=mystery+box&_sacat=0&_pgn=1 

I get that that youtube videos where they have these expensive mystery boxes(+$500) that these could be fake. But there are many trustworthy channels who received some great boxes from e-bay sellers.

[myescape]

If you are not specific to exactly what the buyer is getting you leave yourself wide open to lost not as described cases and the attendant defects.Plus you know the rule and your "idea"is still against the spirit of the rule and could go against you

[rixstuff]

I remember those from the early years on Ebay and they were complete cwap and NEVER anywhere near what you paid for them. More people were unhappy than happy with them.

There are other sites that still do them but they are probably going to discontinue soon because of all the complaints.

[lymer-3]

Hi lx-talon

Would all the items need to be stated in the title? Because that would be huge title. 

Isn't it possible to theme it like 'Mystery box for women with clothes, welness items, etc.' and be more detailed in the product's description?

[rixstuff]

No it would hit a listing violation while you were trying to list it (and enough of those you are gone) and really what's the mystery if you know whats in it?  It is all about expectation.  Everybody is EXPECTING the Hope Diamond for 99 cents.  When they get a piece of glass all heck is gonna break loose!

[smenkveld]

Sell them if you feel you must but don’t come back crying when the buyers demands to return the item and you must refund all the money and pay for return shipping and they send you back a pair of used underwear with racing stripes nothing can be done to prevent that.

[southern*sweet*tea · Accepted solution]

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/prohibited-restricted-items/chance-listings-policy?id=4311

Not allowed

Examples of listings that are not allowed:

• Mystery items where contents aren't identified
• An opportunity to win an item by chance or skill
• Giveaways, lotteries, sweepstakes, random drawings, raffles, or contests

[coolections]

Mystery boxes are nothing but a scam.

[jonathankirkland]

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@lymer-3 wrote:

Hi Smenkveld

Thank you for your response. But Ebay is now used to sell mystery boxes. Because when I type it in the search bar there are many results that pop up. And many of them have got positive reviews.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=mystery+box&_sacat=0&_pgn=1 

I get that that youtube videos where they have these expensive mystery boxes(+$500) that these could be fake. But there are many trustworthy channels who received some great boxes from e-bay sellers.

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Keep in mind that just because you see other people doing it, doesn't mean that they are not breaking the rules, and it doesn't mean they won't soon be punished and banned from selling here as well.

If you get pulled over for speeding do you say "well everyone else was doing 20 MPH above the speed limit so surely it must be okay!" - absolutely not.

Additionally, even if you WERE allowed to do this, do you think the first time someone got something they were unhappy with they wouldn't immediately file a SNAD (significantly not as described) case and force you to pay for return shipping?

It's just a bad scene. I know it sounds like a fun, exciting idea, but you need to consider the practicality of the idea; of which there is precisely none.

[babyparadox]

Try calling it something other than a mystery box! But be sure to define what will be inside or you may get a strike/banned from posting things alike.

[castlemagicmemories]

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@smenkveld wrote:

Ebay and paypal are not the venue to use for mystery boxes because it is way to easy for the seller get scammed and lose the item and the money and to be permanently banned from selling on ebay. If you feel you have to sell such an item find a different venue to sell them on because it will end very bad for you on ebay.  You know those youtube mystery box videos are fake made by scam artists hoping lure in suckers to buy listings.

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With all due respect, I would say it is way too easy for the buyer to get scammed, not the seller~due to the mystery factor.  That is why eBay has the policy that says the seller must be specific.  

[castlemagicmemories]

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@lymer-3 wrote:

Hi Smenkveld

Thank you for your response. But Ebay is now used to sell mystery boxes. Because when I type it in the search bar there are many results that pop up. And many of them have got positive reviews.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=mystery+box&_sacat=0&_pgn=1 

I get that that youtube videos where they have these expensive mystery boxes(+$500) that these could be fake. But there are many trustworthy channels who received some great boxes from e-bay sellers.

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A mystery box of ANY price could be fake.  It doesn't have to be expensive to be fake.