posted on June 19, 2001 06:04:11 PM new
The CIC Coupon information center warned Ebay over a year ago about allowing the sale of manufacture coupons on their sight. It is illegal to resale or transfer coupons, and or any type of voucher. When is Ebay going to wake up and realize they are not immune from getting hit with a lawsuit? It very well may happen shortly. Several companies Kellogg’s, Proctor Gamble, Nestle are not to happy about what they are seeing going on at Ebay. In the past 3 weeks several companies have sent request for them to stop hosting this illegal activity.
It is written on most coupons that they are not for resale. Do you think one of these corporations will have to sue Ebay to get them to stop?
Ebay could be held at fault for being the host to illegal activity and getting paid for hosting it.
posted on June 23, 2001 09:49:40 PM new
I agree with you, but sometimes people just are in dire need for those coupons...especially diaper coupons. The rules need to be either enforced or changed.
posted on June 24, 2001 08:11:16 PM new
Yes the Consumer information centers and the manufactors say tranfer of coupons in any way make them invalid. They have had trouble enforcing this but since Ebay is receiving money for the illegal transfer of coupons they could be fined by the Federal Trade Commission. When companies release coupons it is based on demographics. Coupons released in UTAH do not belong in NJ. The arguement many people make is some people really need those coupons. But this affects everyone as a whole. The more coupons people use the smaller the amount the companies release and the higher prices go on each individual product.
posted on June 29, 2001 12:49:34 PM new
"since Ebay is receiving money for the illegal transfer of coupons they could be fined by the Federal Trade Commission."
Well, you can wish for this in one hand and fill your diaper in the other hand and see which one fills up first
What makes anyone think that eBay would react to the illegal sales of coupons (!) when they ignore the real problem listings like bootlegs and fakes?
As far as I'm concerned, if a company allows one million coupons to be printed, they should be prepared to honour each and every one of them regardless of how the redeemer acquired them ...
posted on July 2, 2001 09:14:02 AM new
Regardless of what is printed on manufacturers' coupons, it is not actually illegal to trade or sell them. The manufacturers would like it to be this way but they do not make the laws. They only put that wording on the coupons to intimidate, but it is not enforceable because there are no laws that actually prohibit trade or sale of the coupons.
There are many, many mailing lists online where members trade and sell coupons to each other. A number of these lists are offered by coupon/refunding clubs who have very carefully checked out the legality of these activities.
The manufacturers have their undies in a knot for no good reason. They can't see that further distribution of their coupons furthers their sales. Ebay is in no danger of being sued. There is no basis, as there is nothing illegal going on.
