eBay "liquidated" my antique blade!

Ian · Today, 12:39 PM

This is now the fourth or fifth example I know of when edged weapons being shipped from the U.S. have (according to eBay) been confiscated by U.S. Customs. The legal basis for such confiscation has not been disclosed by Customs or eBay. This has never occurred for any other auction items that I have had shipped from the U.S., nor for any direct sales by individuals in the U.S. It is unique, as best I know, to eBay's Global Shipping Plan.

EBay has been remarkably unhelpful and uninformative about their Global Shipping Program's policies with regard to shipping edged weapons.

If thinking of buying an edged weapon on eBay I always contact the seller and ask them not to use the eBay Global Shipping option. This means revising their listing. Some are willing to do this, others will not. Some of those who will not say they trust eBay to protect their interests. Having dealt with eBay for more than 30 years, I can only say that trusting eBay is asking for trouble.

If you happen to be an eBay seller and want to sell edged weapons to customers overseas be very suspicious of using the Global Shipping Program the eBay wants you to use. For me, the cheapest and best option to ship overseas is to use Australia Post. From the U.S., the cheapest and best option to ship to Australia is via the US Postal Service. I've never had an issue with the USPS.

Ian.

JeffS · Today, 02:29 PM

Keep your eye on Ebay, there are companies that sell these confiscated items on Ebay using the original photos and description and price structure - it may pop up again.

Sajen · Today, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffS

Keep your eye on Ebay, there are companies that sell these confiscated items on Ebay using the original photos and description and price structure - it may pop up again.

Hi Jeff,

I never noticed this, I know that you can't post it here at the forum regarding the forum rules but can you show me examples by pm?

Regards,
Detlef

Rafngard · Today, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

I never noticed this, I know that you can't post it here at the forum regarding the forum rules but can you show me examples by pm?

I am also curious about this.

Thanks,
Leif

kahnjar1 · Today, 08:30 PM

It has been quite some time since I imported anything from the US but I NEVER would use the Global Shipping offered by Ebay as I found it too expensive and also unreliable. I always used USPS which never gave me any trouble and was always cheaper. Some sellers who use Global will not send by any other means but it is always a good idea to ask if they will send USPS.
Stu

tom22 · Today, 09:31 PM

Ive sold two fijian clubs on ebay from the uk to the us , both through the global shipping program and both were seized , both me and the buyer were refunded , and then three weeks later they turned up on ebay again ,and still had my original photos and description , after reporting this numerous times to ebay nothing happened and eventually they sold ,
they were expensive clubs too ,one sold for £2400 ,
Ive never trusted ebay since ,
scandals

Interested Party · Today, 09:44 PM

I had a Sumatran keris disappear on eBay 2 years ago. The blade was ok. The silver sleave on the sheath was beat up, but I really wanted the north Java hilt! I'm still sad and pissed! They sent me a WWII German bayonet instead and tried to claim ignorance. Scandals!

werecow · Today, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rafngard

I am also curious about this.

Thanks,
Leif

Me three.

Sajen · Today, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

This is now the fourth or fifth example I know of when edged weapons being shipped from the U.S. have (according to eBay) been confiscated by U.S. Customs. The legal basis for such confiscation has not been disclosed by Customs or eBay. This has never occurred for any other auction items that I have had shipped from the U.S., nor for any direct sales by individuals in the U.S. It is unique, as best I know, to eBay's Global Shipping Plan.

EBay has been remarkably unhelpful and uninformative about their Global Shipping Program's policies with regard to shipping edged weapons.

If thinking of buying an edged weapon on eBay I always contact the seller and ask them not to use the eBay Global Shipping option. This means revising their listing. Some are willing to do this, others will not. Some of those who will not say they trust eBay to protect their interests. Having dealt with eBay for more than 30 years, I can only say that trusting eBay is asking for trouble.

If you happen to be an eBay seller and want to sell edged weapons to customers overseas be very suspicious of using the Global Shipping Program the eBay wants you to use. For me, the cheapest and best option to ship overseas is to use Australia Post. From the U.S., the cheapest and best option to ship to Australia is via the US Postal Service. I've never had an issue with the USPS.

I always ask myself from where they take their information!

For example there are only a few exceptions what's not allowed to import to Germany (for example balisongs and push daggers) but had this problem with this weird GSP several times, for example with this minasbad which got confiscated and a Luzon bolo I bought not long ago from an US seller, both items would have passed German customs without any problems.

They seem to be very uninformed!!

Today, 09:31 PM	#6
tom22 Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Posts: 34	me too Ive sold two fijian clubs on ebay from the uk to the us , both through the global shipping program and both were seized , both me and the buyer were refunded , and then three weeks later they turned up on ebay again ,and still had my original photos and description , after reporting this numerous times to ebay nothing happened and eventually they sold , they were expensive clubs too ,one sold for £2400 , Ive never trusted ebay since , scandals

Today, 12:39 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,714	This is now the fourth or fifth example I know of when edged weapons being shipped from the U.S. have (according to eBay) been confiscated by U.S. Customs. The legal basis for such confiscation has not been disclosed by Customs or eBay. This has never occurred for any other auction items that I have had shipped from the U.S., nor for any direct sales by individuals in the U.S. It is unique, as best I know, to eBay's Global Shipping Plan. EBay has been remarkably unhelpful and uninformative about their Global Shipping Program's policies with regard to shipping edged weapons. If thinking of buying an edged weapon on eBay I always contact the seller and ask them not to use the eBay Global Shipping option. This means revising their listing. Some are willing to do this, others will not. Some of those who will not say they trust eBay to protect their interests. Having dealt with eBay for more than 30 years, I can only say that trusting eBay is asking for trouble. If you happen to be an eBay seller and want to sell edged weapons to customers overseas be very suspicious of using the Global Shipping Program the eBay wants you to use. For me, the cheapest and best option to ship overseas is to use Australia Post. From the U.S., the cheapest and best option to ship to Australia is via the US Postal Service. I've never had an issue with the USPS. Ian.

Today, 02:29 PM	#2
JeffS Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 461	Keep your eye on Ebay, there are companies that sell these confiscated items on Ebay using the original photos and description and price structure - it may pop up again.

Today, 08:30 PM	#5
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,831	It has been quite some time since I imported anything from the US but I NEVER would use the Global Shipping offered by Ebay as I found it too expensive and also unreliable. I always used USPS which never gave me any trouble and was always cheaper. Some sellers who use Global will not send by any other means but it is always a good idea to ask if they will send USPS. Stu

Today, 09:44 PM	#7
Interested Party Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Eastern Sierra Posts: 532	I had a Sumatran keris disappear on eBay 2 years ago. The blade was ok. The silver sleave on the sheath was beat up, but I really wanted the north Java hilt! I'm still sad and pissed! They sent me a WWII German bayonet instead and tried to claim ignorance. Scandals!