Police Badges

[dimino-99]

My obsolete sheriff's anniversary badge and millennium badge were taken down due to eBay's policy. However I see many police and sheriff's badges for sale on eBay violating the same policy  I am being accused of. An obsolete badge is a real badge that an agency no longer uses because they went to a new one or the agency no longer exists. Either way many of the obsolete badges currently allowed to be sold on eBay "Look Real" because they "Are Real". They are just not being used anymore by the agency just like mine. The  policy appears to be selectively enforced.

Dino Minoglio   

[rosszonebricks · Accepted solution]

According to policy, which sounds pretty clear to me:

Police and emergency response uniforms, equipment, or accessories can't be sold on eBay.

The following items can't be listed for sale on eBay:

• Law enforcement and other government-issued uniforms, badges, or accessories, such as hats, jackets, and shirts, or replicas of these items

Source:  https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/prohibited-restricted-items/policerelated-items-policy?id=4319#:~....

Just because others haven't been 'caught' yet, doesn't mean they won't.  Either way, do NOT relist your item 'just because others are listed'.  Re-listing an item that eBay has taken down for policy violation is a quick way to get your account permanently banned.

[alcoforever]

"But mom, all the other kids are doing it" doesn't work well on ebay.

[dbfolks166mt]

     This happens with a lot of "prohibited items" that get listed on eBay. The bots only catch a percentage of the postings. However, once you have been caught I believe they pay closer attention to what you are listing looking for repeat offenses and then the suspension happens. Fortunate that they only took down the listing this time. 

     One really has to wonder why eBay even has a category for it if they are prohibited. 

Collectibles > Historical Memorabilia > Police > Badges: Obsolete > US

[Anonymous]

When you see those listings, you should report them....they just haven't been caught yet.

My "real" job out in the world is Asset Protection for WallyWorld.

We have people from time to time put on associate vests and pose as associates to get into the back rooms and such. Luckily we have a policy where any real associate can ID another that looks wonky or isn't wearing any WM identifiers. Some of our vendors are sick of it, but it is a security must.

These badges don't need to be going out to just any buyer for good reason, they are more of a secure item than to just hand them out to anyone. Anyone buying a badge online (other than collectors) is certainly up to no good.

They absolutely should not be sold here.

[this*old*attic]

Typical EBay 

No different than “onesie” items pulled for Vero violation but “onesie” exists on the STYLE pull down as a required IS 

[ckimodog]

I can totally see why they're banned..Impersonating an officer of the law comes to mind.  Lots of nut jobs out there that are up to no good. 

[7606dennis]

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@this*old*attic wrote:

Typical EBay 

No different than “onesie” items pulled for Vero violation but “onesie” exists on the STYLE pull down as a required IS 

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If I'm not mistaken, the term "onesie" is a registered trademark and, as such, is protected by law.  If the item isn't produced or licensed by the rights owner it would be an infringement one the trademark.  I don't see how that applies to the topic of this thread though.

[vintageboardwalkalley]

Ebay HAS a category--Collectibles > Historical Memorabilia > Police > Badges: Obsolete > US 

[twissmo]

I had a chromolithograph art print with drawings of women sporting a girdle, ebay took it down as a nude. So I typed in nude and found tons of naked women photographs. And to top it off, since I did a search for it, ebay listed many other nudes on my main page that I might be interested in. Double standards don't make it right for sellers.

[rugerskick]

I think you bring up an excellent point.

How is it right for ebay to take down listings for an item when ebay itself maintains a specific category for that item?

Its more of the bipolar ebay we see more and more.

Its like, go ahead and list it, we even have a dedicated category for it.  Oh you listed it!  We're removing it and warning you!

[johnson_junk_company]

You are absolutely right! They absolutely do selectively enforce their rules and it’s not fair nor is it a good business practice. I’m in the process of getting an outside compliance company to take this very practice eBay engages in on and hopefully make them change their policies. Also, some of those commenting here are just as much a problem as eBay’s lack of integrity. 

[johnson_junk_company]

Yes, Onsie is a registered trademark however the word is in the item specifics as an identifier for baby one piece rompers. eBay needs slapped with a class action lawsuit for their inconsistent business practices. If you bring inconsistencies like the above mentioned to their attention, they won’t acknowledge the mistake nor take action quietly to fix it! They really don’t care if you get hit with a vero because they claim they don’t do it! They claim it’s an outside company and their are just forwarding information. When called out for allowing fraud on their site, they immediately shift the blame on to sellers and these outside compliance companies. eBay is nothing but the that dishonest dude selling stolen crap at the pawn shop! 

[rugerskick]

This is the thing many of us know but may not always articulate.  But we know it when we see them do it.

And, it is this:

Ebay requires far, far more integrity, reliability, consistency, and following rules, from its sellers, than it does of itself.

Ebay is far more heavy handed on sellers, than it is on itself.

Thats what we see and experience.  All the time.

[rugerskick]

And to end,

If Ebay had to live up to the same standards they apply to sellers, Ebay would ban itself from itself.