Whoa - ebay Just Called Me About An Aged Tin

Interesting. I wonder if ebay will be cracking down, or if you're just unlucky. I personally feel that most tobacco sales completed on ebay technically do not meet the requirements, but happen anyway. I think the few who run a ebay page as part of their business, think PipeStud, that do follow the rules would know more.

They don't look at tobacco by vintage, so it does violate the word of the rule. If the label was by year, like wine, it would be different. Many do get around the rules though.

One would do well to steer clear of EBay...and PayPal. When I want to sell or trade something, I just do it in forums or Facebook. Most pipe smokers are on the level and I've never encountered an issue.

Here is the real question.
Who reported you?

Click to expand...

Definitely the other guy selling an aged Dunhill tin. I have given up trying to sell aged tins on Ebay. I have their black mark on me, and they always pull my auction right away, even when I list it properly. I have tried to get a straight answer as to why out of their customer service on several occasions and that went nowhere. Next time I want to sell tins, I will just use 4noggins or Pipestud. They take 30%, which is definitely higher then Ebay, but you don't have to deal with the transactions, shipping, dealing with morons who never pay, etc. I think that if Rich and Steve dropped their commission down to like 20%, their websites would fast become THE places to buy and sell aged tins.

Yea those newly listed tin listings won't be up much longer. Ebay is cracking the whip. BS if you ask me.

I found no listings more than 16 hours old. I guess the trick will be to list BIN at a low enough price to move the tins quickly. This might make for a peculiar market.

Howdy Gang,
I'll chime in on this one. I can't speak for Rich, but I'll be happy to drop my commission by 10% to the two fellows above who suggested it. All they need to do is take 10% pay cuts for whatever work it is that they perform and we've got a done deal. :wink:
On a serious note; a 2008 tin of any Dunhill blend is a current production (Orlik) tin and does not fit the criteria that eBay plainly lays out for selling such tins. And, the sellers are required to list the criteria in each tobacco tin auction. That criteria being (and I quote directly from eBay) -
-- The value of the item is the collectible packaging, not the tobacco itself.

-- The value of the packaging is higher than the current retail price of the tobacco in the package.

-- While the package has never been opened, the tobacco inside is not for consumption.

-- The collectible packaging is not currently available in stores.

-- The buyer must be at least 18 years old. (As the seller, I'm responsible for making sure this rule is met.)

-- Both the buyer and the seller are following all applicable laws and shipping regulations for this transaction.
While a 2008 Dunhill blend is a little more valuable than retail to my buyers on my private website due to the aging, I would not dare list such a tin on eBay as their criteria for selling aged tins is different than mine.
I have had to make calls to eBay several times in the past to get clarification on tins that I've had up on eBay that some weekend warrior there took down. Each time, eBay apologized and allowed me to re-list. Unfortunately, most of their employees are not pipe smokers and are clueless about our hobby and truly collectible pipe tobacco (which a 2008 tin of any current production Dunhill tin is not). If they see a 1960s tin of Cope's Escudo on my eBay site and do a Google search and find it readily available at many retail and etail outlets, then they just associate the Escudo name and similarity in the look of the tins and hit the panic button. It is just a fact and, unfortunately, will continue.
I am of the opinion that those eBay sellers who are either purposely, or simply mis-understanding the rules, are actually potentially hurting our opportunities to find and pick-up some nice and truly collectible no longer produced blends. eBay may tire of all the police work and simply end all tobacco related auctions if this continues.
Best to all,
Pipestud

Well, guess what? Not 10-minutes after posting the above I also got a call from eBay. Three of my auctions that are running this week are no longer produced tins (two old Balkan Sobranie and a Three Nuns Cutter Top) that are listed for "Worldwide Shipping." The lady with eBay told me that they are indeed having to crack down and 'upon attorney advice," will no longer allow any tobacco related products to be sold that include shipping available outside of the USA due to the varying laws regarding tobacco importing to other countries. She said I needed to end those listings and re-list with domestic shipping only.
I am glad that I can still sell the tins but the caution flag sure has been raised as one wonders how long it will be before "upon attorney advice" all tobacco related products (pipes, tobacco, etc) will be removed from eBay?
Thanks again,
Pipestud

Dang it, Peteguy - You're hourly wage will still be higher than mine.
I may have to get ahead of the curve and choose another collectible to sell on eBay.
Maybe I can start selling collectible potatoes on eBay. I would, of course, change my name to Spudstud
Pipestud

What a load of crap. The noose continues to tighten...

The eBay called you? Is it male or female? The eBay is mighty and all powerful. Do not anger the eBay!!

Better yet, Marijuana seems perfectly harmless and soon readily available.
Why not BudStud?

Not a bad idea, jmill208. Budstud does have a nice ring to it. :D
Thanks!
Soon to be a different stud.

Well this is a load of poop. eBay has done similar on firearm accessories like magazines too.