Can't sell CDs DVDs on ebay unless you can prove with receipt they are real

[rijir2001]

I was trying to sell some old CD's on ebay and they pulled my listing saying I can't sell pirated material. I have been back and forth with them saying I'm not selling CDRs but they don't get it. I then entered a chat session with them and they said I was in violation of their poicy selling recordable media. I said I'm not selling CDRs and then they went on to say this applies to CDs and DVDs as well. So I asked why they offer the categories for used CDs and DVDs then. Their response was that you have to prove with on original store receipt that the items are real and not copies to be able to sell them on ebay.

I'll just dig up those receipts from the CDs I bought 20 years ago!!!!

I am speechless beyond belief......

[gadgetguy]

I heard or read a recent report that there is a huge problem with CD/DVDs being stolen from B&M stores and within hours appearing for sale on ebay. This may be a misguided attempt on ebay's part to curb that practice.

[Supreme2k]

I've had that problem. Sometimes it's just some idiot with a random hard-on for you who will flag your listing.

I tried to sell a Dreamcast, but was told that it's forbidden because it can play pirated games (which is true, but without modifications). after the third time I posted it (with no changes whatsoever0, it went through.

If you have a camera, take pictures of the CDs and make it very clear in the description that they are used/retail CDs. Of course, if some jerk is watching you and flagging it, there's not much you can do except make that the issue with them.

I know a few people that work at eBay, and they're not the brightest or most logical bunch. They're cut from the same cloth as your typical Best Buy or Fry's employee.

[rijir2001]

I actually have a clear photo of the CDs I'm selling. And I have a bunch of others for sale right now. They are just friggin' idiots.

[thecoalman]

Their response was that you have to prove with on original store receipt that the items are real and not copies to be able to sell them on ebay.

So what you have to fax or email them a receipt? Geee... that will keep it honest.

[rijir2001]

I'm not sure what that would prove anyway?

[thecoalman]

Exactly, assuming it has to be faxed or emailed to them creating a receipt for them would be trivial matter.

[bendixG15]

Went to Ebay and clicked on "DVDs and Movies" listing.

They got 554,777 auctions.

[lordsmurf]

eBay sucks. That company seems to make up the rules as they go along.
I blame the overpaid, useless CEO.

[rijir2001]

That's exactly how my chat session went with them. They made it up as they went along.

[aedipuss]

so play along with them. take a receipt from some other cd, scan it, and edit it in word to look like the one you need. ebay won't know the difference.

[yoda313]

Um what about buying them at garage sales and then selling them at ebay? When was the last time you got a printed receipt at a garage sale? I bought nearly twenty cd's for about a 1.00 a piece the other week at our neighboorhood garage sale. What's to stop me from trying to resell them for say 5.00 a pop? These are real, honest to goodness pressed originals with booklets and all. How are they to know these aren't fully originals?

That does seem a bit extreme. ESPECIALLY if you have no infractions or negative feedback on your account.

[Eat Right]

I just purchased something from eBay a couple of weeks ago. It was probrably the first time I shopped there in all of 2008. I was amazed to see a message on their site that said sellers can't leave a buyer negative feedback. I'm still amazed by that.

[rijir2001]

A few years ago I bought a DVD off ebay and when I got it it was a true pirate copy of an official release. I complained to the seller and all she said was "What do you expect? It is out of print" So I complained to ebay and they did absolutely nothing! I had a case open with them and in the end they just closed it and I never got any satisfaction. Luckily I only paid like $14 for it so in the end I was just tired of dealing with them (I'm sure what they wanted) so I forgot about it.

[Bix]

rijir2001-

You should send a detailed letter about what happened to Consumerist.com

[zzyzzx]

Try listing your stuff on half.com instead.

[rijir2001]

rijir2001-

You should send a detailed letter about what happened to Consumerist.com

Thanks. I'll have to try this. I also thought about the BBB. Not that this is killing me but there is a principal here. And people sue for stuff less than this lol.

[ViRaL1]

Soon to be available on eBay...

Hand written receipts for CDs purchased, with FREE SHIPPING!!!

[lordsmurf]

A few years ago I bought a DVD off ebay and when I got it it was a true pirate copy of an official release. I complained to the seller and all she said was "What do you expect? It is out of print" So I complained to ebay and they did absolutely nothing! I had a case open with them and in the end they just closed it and I never got any satisfaction. Luckily I only paid like $14 for it so in the end I was just tired of dealing with them (I'm sure what they wanted) so I forgot about it.

In my opinion, buyers should know more about what they're buying, and not assume everything is officially released in-print NTSC USA R1. Those sort of folks needs to stay the hell away from eBay (and the Internet in general) and stay their butts in Walmart or Best Buy DVD aisles.

Quite a few people appreciate the "unofficial" DVDs out there, for things otherwise not available as an in-print NTSC USA R1 shiny sealed brand-new Hollywood-made DVD.

I often see people whine about PAL R2 DVDs, or Australia R4 DVDs -- official releases of all things -- because their backwards crappy USA R1 player only plays crappy USA R1 DVDs. I don't think the seller should necessarily be faulted for the ignorance of buyers.

.............................. Of course NONE OF THIS has anything to do with the ridiculous demand that everything have the original receipt. Last year, I itemized for taxes, and some of my January 2007 receipts were barely visible, because of the thermal paper so often used on receipts. It fades to nothing within 2-3 years, sometimes less if the original print sucked.

[rijir2001]

Yes those damn thermal receipts. I don't know how many times I have had to take dead bushes back to Home Depot for the 1 year warrantee only to say "Really...this is the receipt!! But it is blank now".

I have bought, over the years, so many different formats of PAL, SECAM, NTSC VHS tapes and DVDs, VCD's etc. I appreciate getting the rare stuff and will settle for what I can get.

The movie I bought wasn't even that rare. And "real" used copies were around the $15 range.

[retexan599]

When I buy anything 'significant' where I might need to refer to the thermal receipt much later, I scan it onto my hard drive and can make a fresh print if I need to. Another thing I do with 'significant' purchases is to take a photograph of the labels on the gear (bar codes and all) and store that on my hard drive as well. Makes it a lot easier to fetch the model and serial numbers years down the line. So what qualifies as 'signifcant' - my plasma HDTV, computer tower and monitor, a digital picture frame, etc.

[cyflyer]

Quite a few people appreciate the "unofficial" DVDs out there, for things otherwise not available as an in-print NTSC USA R1 shiny sealed brand-new Hollywood-made DVD

Quite right. I've bought dvd-r's in the past from e-bay, of some long since obscure tv movie not otherwise available on normal release, that i really wanted to see. No problem, as long as you know what you are getting. I think it is rare for anyone to claim selling an original, and then send a copy, at least I haven't seen it yet. And if so, then thats why the feedback sytem is there. You just place next to the negative red blob "they are bootleg crappy copies- a crook", and thereafter only a fool would buy from him. But, I don't think sellers want that kind of feedback.

E-bay is a tool, and just like any tool it can be used for good or bad. You have to get e-baywise. You have to learn its ins and outs, ups and downs, to benefit from it. Look, THINK, and quiery before diving in.