eBay
Just as crafter nexus Etsy banned the sale of human bones, body parts and anything with a medical drug claim, eBay is slamming the door on the metaphysical. Come September, the online auction site will no longer truck in “advice; spells; curses; hexing; conjuring; magic; prayers; blessing services; magic potions; healing sessions,” according to its 2012 Fall Seller Update.
It seems there’s an online conspiracy against charlatans afoot, but the mystery remains why … and why now?
“EBay regularly reviews categories and updates our policies based on customer feedback,” the company said in a statement. “We are discontinuing a small number of categories within the larger metaphysical subcategory, as buyers and sellers have told us that transactions in these categories often result in issues that can be difficult to resolve.”
We've reached out eBay to get the specifics of these difficult-to-resolve issues — chronic Tiki-statue-induced bad luck? Wrong neighbor turned into toad? Spontaneous musical numbers more retro-pastiche than break-
It's obvious this latest product ban creates a problem for both snake oil salesmen and the gullible public. Sellers of such intangible goods are sharing their outrage on eBay forums, and a Don't Ban Our Psychics petition is racking up signatures. In these tough economic times, people are desperate to pay a dummy tax and now eBay’s robbed them of a convenient outlet to do that.
Sure, there’s still the lottery, but then, a lottery ticket won’t do you any good without the magical powdered tiger testes required to make it a winning lottery ticket. It’s lose, lose, lose across the board.
Further, it's unclear whether trendy, well-respected baloney will also suffer under eBay's latest list of unallowable merchandise. Dreamcatchers, for example. Must they now be listed as "Decorative Wall Thing with Net, Beads and Feathers?" And what about lucky rabbit feet? Is it time for the bunny population to celebrate, or should they worry about that untapped market for mundane rabbit feet?
Suckers should remain at ease however, because if there's anything snake oil salesmen know, it's how to be shifty.
Just as perverts can still find unwashed socks and underwear on eBay if they know the key phrases ("100 percent washed per eBay standards, message me for special packaging requests"), fools will remain soon parted from their cash. All it takes will be a few magic keywords.
By SARA MALM
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Ban on online psychics: Abstract magical services and advice will no longer be offered on eBay
Online auctioneers eBay are implementing new rules banning magic, potions and spells in an attempt to force swindlers and quacks off the site.
The past slogan 'Whatever it is - you can get it on eBay' will no longer apply from the end of August.
The new guidelines also ban advice on any of the magic-related subjects listed which means that sales of fantasy merchandise, such as books and products related to the Harry Potter novels, could be at risk.
The new rules intend to target more abstract items up for sale on eBay, such as spells to harm ex-partners, lucky potions and psychic readings.
Examples of services offered on eBay include an activation of 'Starseed/Lightworker DNA so that you may connect with your galactic guides from your home planet' and a £3.50 Love Trap Spell to force the unresponsive object of the buyers affection to 'want you big time'.
As of the 30th of August ‘spells; curses; hexing; conjuring; magic; prayers; blessing services; magic potions and healing sessions’ are banned merchandise for sellers, eBay wrote in their 2012 Fall Seller Update.
It is not yet clear whether J.K. Rowling's latest Potter creation – a book of spells in collaboration with Sony for Ps3 – will be banned under the new rules.
I put a spell on you: One seller advertises a love spell on eBay
Powerful potion: Another seller on the site offers a combo of potion and spell casting
This seller offers a DNA Starseed activation which enables the person with the winning bid to 'connect with your galactic guides from your home planet'
The Book of Spells, which Rowling herself called ‘the closest a Muggle can get to a real spell book’, is a virtual book for PlayStation 3.
Just like the version Harry Potter and generations of Hogwarts students have used, this version for Sony’s Wonderbook is ‘written by Miranda Goshawk 200 years ago’.
The Book of Spells may be saved by a classification by eBay as a magic-related item of ‘tangible value’.
Rowling at risk: The new eBay ban on magical advice may also include Harry Potter merchandise such as J.K. Rowling's new virtual 'Book of Spells'
Johnna Hoff, spokeswoman for eBay explained to the Los Angeles Times: ‘It's important to note that items that have a tangible value for the item itself and may also be used in metaphysical rites and practices are allowed in most cases.'
The Book of Spells, out this Christmas, will ‘assist students on their journey to becoming an accomplished witch or wizard’ and includes brand new content written by J.K. Rowling.
Wizard ban: Harry and Hermione, or Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson in the Muggle world, do not look pleased about the new eBay rules
Last resort: Slug and Jiggers on Diagon Alley, here as part of the visitors tour at Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden, may be the only way out for 'Hogwarts students' looking for potions
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2189757/Auction-site-eBay-bans-sale-m...