posted on January 26, 2001 06:53:33 AM new
I *think* that as long as you offer the exact same thing to all bidders it's ok. But you can't say that "certain" bidders will get a gift.
But then again, I might be thinking about "choice auctions" where say you have a dozen widgets, in 12 different colors and you say that "all bidders have their choice of what color they want". That's a no-no.
posted on January 26, 2001 06:58:09 AM new
Bonuses, giveaways, raffles and prizes
Listings that promote bonus items, giveaways, or random drawings or prizes as an enticement for bidders are not permitted on eBay as these promotions are illegal lotteries in many states.
Policy: These types of listings are not permitted and will be ended. The insertion fee will be automatically credited for that listing.
posted on January 26, 2001 07:02:21 AM new
The seller is mistakingly attempt to skirt the copyright laws by giving away illegal copies of TV shows. Unfortunately for him, the law states that it is illegal to "copy or distribute". You don't have to sell it to break the law. (hint: Napster)
Yes, I know. That is the "real" reason I notified SafeHarbour about these listings.
eBay doesn't have the expertise to deal with copyright issues - they don't take any action when such an illegal auction is reported to them. I was hoping to get these auctions (4 from the same seller for different stuff) ended based on the "bonus" thing. eBay is also ignoring their own policy about offering a bonus (at least the way I read it from their site and your quote).
Oh well ... another guy with a VCR is going to get rich by selling someone else's art
It's really not unfortunate for him as eBay are letting the auctions proceed.
posted on January 26, 2001 09:07:09 AM new
Executive Girl is right, "bonuses" or freebies are allowed as long as each winning bidder receives the same bonus.
There is no difference between "blue widget plus free bonus green widget" and "one blue and one green widget."
posted on January 26, 2001 03:54:22 PM newTwo Super Bowl T-Shirts with Free Super Bowl Tickets Up for auction are two Super Bowl T-Shirts size XL. As an added bonus, I will throw in two front row, 50 yard line tickets to this year's Super Bowl in Tampa.
Ticket scalping in Florida is illegal, so the seller is trying to circumvent that by saying the tickets are free with the purchase of the t-shirt.
I, personally, feel that eBay ended them because the intent of the auction was to offer the tickets at a premium.
Edited to say that I do not know if there have been any auctions like the above. The above auction was something I made up. I saw this type of auction ended last year when I was looking for tickets to the Jacksonville Jaguars/Tennessee Titans AFC Championship game.
[ edited by dixiebee on Jan 26, 2001 03:56 PM ]
