Question
Well, it's already happened. eBay cancelled one of the auctions I listed last night (WWII German belt buckle--I blacked out the swastika!). An interested party in the UK contacted me through ask a member a question on one of my other auctions. He wants to buy the buckle.
Since eBay cancelled the auction, is it allowed to now sell the item directly? I assume they might find out, since we're going through eBay messages at this point.
Answer
Sell that puppy and don't worry about it.
I have done it a few times with cancelled items.
Ebay would probably frown upon it just cuz they are
ebay...
No swastikas in photos! No Hitler in photos!
Nothing that might give the appearance of
"glorifying" the Third Reich!
And don't use "jap", even in WWII terms in
a title. Might be offensive! Even if the paper
headline uses it!
Might want to take it outside the ebay system
just for peace of mind.
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Thanks, Larr. It really put me in a mood. I made the mistake of checking my auctions before I went downstairs for coffee.
I've had coffee now and will decide what to do. I suppose I could re-list it without photos and just say to email me for photos. Or is that asking for more trouble?
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If you are happy with the offer, take it.
Relisting is always a gamble with a zapped item...
I am scared they will catch me again and suspend me
or something worse... like take away my coffee or ISP!!!
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Yeah, that was my thought, too. Although I could try listing it at Manion's. I haven't sold anything through them in several years. They changed hands a year or so ago--maybe I should use this to check them out.
And my day is definitely looking up. I just got a bid on another WWII German item (without swastika) I listed last night.
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Originally Posted by maison rustique
Since eBay cancelled the auction, is it allowed to now sell the item directly? I assume they might find out, since we're going through eBay messages at this point.
I never let eBay tell me what to do with my business. Sell it to him. Anyway, eBay has "told" you they don't want anything to do with the buckle. Sell it.
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I'd sell it. Unless you really WANT to try another vendor just to see how well, or not, they work out. But me, I'd sell it.
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I responded and told him I'd be happy to discuss it and that he should email me directly.
I figure I'll quote a high price and if he'll come close, it's sold. If not, I'll try it elsewhere.
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MR, If you think about it, that would be a great way for collectors to get real bargains. Spot a good item on ebay, email the seller with a low offer (for that item), then turn in the auction to ebay and have it cancelled before it gets any other action that might indicate the real value. I think most sellers would bite on the low offer thinking they were running out of options to sell it.
I'd see if I could find some way to value it before I took him up on it. Time is now on your side it seems, so do some quick research on google, some of these items are valuable and some are common. At least you'll have some bit of background on it when you discuss it with him.
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Long-gone, thanks. I do know the approximate value. I'm not a German militaria expert, but have consulted with others who are. I've sold/collected militaria for so many years now that I think I know someone who knows/collects most everything. One of the few benefits of being old.