Fighting with ebay regarding sale of USDA Food Stamps

Actually, the analogy may be slightly misdirected. Since eBay continues to make a claim that they are "only a venue" (ie common-carrier), a proper analogy would be if you were leasing a commercial building and entered the premises in the middle of the night and snooped around the stock and displays validating everything that was being sold by your leasee. Finding something that you object to, or simply do not want inside "your" building, you remove it, take it to the leasee's residence and hand it to him stating, "This is illegal to sell, I will not allow it in my building" although it may not in actuality be illegal.

 

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Here is a link to a story which you may find interesting . While EBAY's Policy does not specifically identify USDA " Food Stamps " as a dis-allowed item, it does come under the provisions set forth within " Government Documents " . Quite frankly , I'm in total agreement with EBAY"s position in this matter . USDA Food Stamp Coupons are prohibited " Government " documents . As they were when the Coupon book program was in play , there are concerns regarding the Counterfeiting of such Documents . i.e. Food Coupons. Neither EBAY nor any other Auction company can allow the Sale of such items. It doesn't take a " Legal Expert " to comprehend the law .

http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentidonly=true&contentid=2010/01/0028.xml

 

The concern for counterfeiting is baseless. S.N.A.P. uses debit cards - not paper coupons. Anyone presenting coupons, genuine or not, as payment will be denied.

Frankly, I commend Taylor's effort. In my opinion this is not about eBay's policies, but about their stubborness to listen to something that is legal. They should allow these notes to be freely sold without complication.

"USDA Food Stamp Coupons are prohibited 'Government' documents."

The story you linked says nothing about this.

 

Well than I guess you won't mind buying counterfeited coupons being offered as authentic , which have zero collector value . You can egg him on all you want. In the end , his efforts to change EBAY"S Policy will be in vain , and it's not only EBAY he has to change , it's the Government's legislation. Good luck .

 

"...it's the Government's legislation."

If you are going to reference government legislation, please back it up. I would like to know where the Feds prohibit the sale of food coupons.

People counterfeit U.S. paper money all the time and I have no problem avoiding these. Why would I have a problem with food coupons?

Perhaps Taylor should turn his attention more to eBay and avoid the negative opinions of most members on this topic. What is so wrong with trying to convince someone that their policies are, in fact, incorrect?

 

You've got it turned around somewhat, and my analogy is spot on:

Seller walks into eBay "house" and posts item.
Seller walks into my house and lights a cigarette.
Seller is told by eBay that the item is on their banned list, but seller ignores eBay.
Seller is told not to smoke in my house, but ignores my request.
Seller is banned from eBay for violating policy.
Seller is told to leave my home.

Your analogy doesn't even come close to the actual scenario.

Chris

 

People already have enough trouble with knock-off coins, handbags, tennis shoes, golf clubs, watches, jeans, computer software, etc., etc., etc!

The fact remains that it would be so very easy and inexpensive to counterfeit these coupons, and who would be able to authenticate them?

Chris

 

"The fact remains that it would be so very easy and inexpensive to counterfeit these coupons, and who would be able to authenticate them?"

Your statement in untrue and assumptive. Food coupons were produced by the same process as regular U.S. paper money - intaglio-engraved plates and surface overprinting. They are no easier to counterfeit than is the dollar bill in your pocket.

The protection against such illicit means is to allow collectors to learn about these notes, what they look like, how they were produced, etc. This protects them and makes no market for counterfeiters.

Why is everyone against doing something good for this hobby?

 

I do not believe it is so much a thing that people are necessarily against doing something good for this hobby so much as everybody's definition of "good" is subjective. We can go back and forth about it, but some believe when we disagree with them that the rest of us are just imbeciles.

 

I think it,s time to move on!

 

I think sgiorgis and Jamericon are very intelligible people I thought being a numismatic was about enjoying it, doing what you like. And moreover making things right.
It's not necessarily about EBAY its a much larger issue, almost everyone thinks its still illegal and many people are "Closet Collectors" of these notes because they are scared it is illegal to buy and sell them.

A clear point would be if it was not for fighters in the coin collecting universe we would not have some of the most valuable coins we collect as well as paper currencies. That being said, if you are against allowing someone to collect you do not have the right to call yourself a collector.

How dare you mock an issue just because you do not agree with it. I think it's stupid ebay will not allow the sale of it. Food Stamp notes are not drugs, they are a major part of our countries history and for that matter, I shall hold onto my NOTES and forget selling them. (I only wanted one of each denomonation and now I am stuck with an entire book because the website I BOUGHT IT FROM will not allow me to sell it myself)

I will keep listing it if need be until EBAY removes my account.

 

While I applaud your determination and spunk, I just think you would be cutting off your nose to spite your face where eBay is concerned. I think you should continue sending letters to eBay, even get other collectors of this scrip to do the same, but if you continue to place these items for sale on eBay in defiance of their rules, you will only lose your privileges there.

Chris

 

i have chated with a lawyer about this it took some time but he may take on e-bay for the lost money over the deals with the food stamps coupons
he told me it may be like what happen with gold bacvk in the 1933 that law was never taken off the books and it is still not legal to hold gold ceft. but it is ok to have gold coins as an invsetment you can google some lawyers that will go after web companys and maybe if we all start asking one will take it on then we all can get something done together

 

floridatinman, just curious, how much money have you lost because of "deals with the food stamps coupons"? just wondering. I know eBay is harsh when they don't agree with something.

 

Two threads started by the same person, for the same argument. Both going nowhere. Neither will ever effect eBay policy one way or another.

Lock them both out, PLEASE!

 

That's probably not a very smart idea.... becoming a martyr for your cause sounds like a good idea... but it doesn't get YOU anywhere. You will get much farther by being a member in good standing and having regular conversations with the people there. Why would they listen to someone who got banned from their site for infractions??? You don't play by the rules... at that point what do they care?

 

I would think that your best chance for a policy change is to write the USDA and request that in their reply they specifically state that the USDA has no objection to the sale of food stamps on eBay. Then forward a copy of that letter to eBay.

 

A better approach would be to do this and have the USDA forward the letter directly to Ebay. They will want it directly from the official source.

 

+1! And if this thread irritates you, tune out! This IS STILL America! Freedom of Choices and ideas! Lock YOURSELF out.....Please!
Steve

 

He needs to check his books again. Collecting pre-1934 U.S. gold certificates (those no longer redeemable in gold) was legalized in 1964, some ten years before ownership of actual gold became legal again....