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Selling a stolen item
Summary: walkingartwork reported a seller on eBay for listing a stolen RNLI charity collection bucket, arguing that it could deceive people into thinking they’re donating to the charity. Although the seller removed the item after being contacted, eBay stated the sale didn't violate their policy. red_magpie suggested that reporting the issue to law enforcement might prompt action from eBay, but walkingartwork couldn't find a fitting policy category. *vyolla* recommended notifying the RNLI directly, which walkingartwork promptly did.
I reported a seller to eBay who was selling a stolen item, namely RNLI charity collection bucket. These items are the property of the RNLI and are not for sale nor should they be in the possession of an individual. If bought it could well be used to deceive people into thinking they’re donating to a charity. EBay said the sale doesn’t violate their policy, so they’re condoning theft and possibly fraud.
I messaged the seller who removed the item from sale without replying to me.
Disgusting behaviour on the part of eBay and the seller
john1297576
Mentor3 weeks agoebay would be more likely to act if contacted by RNLI. I am afraid that using AI is not intelligent enough to know a charity bucket from any other bucket.
*vyolla*
MentorJul 12, 2026 at 10:28 PMI'd let the RNLI know. If they then want to report their item as stolen then they can, and will likely get a faster result.
walkingartwork
OPJul 12, 2026 at 10:36 PM · EditedThanks for replying. I did as you suggested as soon as I saw it.
red_magpie
MentorJul 12, 2026 at 10:15 PM · EditedI suspect that you used the wrong reason to try to get action by eBay.
eBay's policy on the sale of stolen items is that anyone wishing to report the sale of stolen items must report this to the police. eBay will only act in response to a request by a law enforcement authority.
If you look you eBay's full policy on items that are prohibited from sale you might find a category that covers this. For example, the sale of police or military uniforms is prohibited, so you might find something that covers the sale of charity collection items identified for use by registered charities. To search, go the Help & Contact at the top or bottom of any page, and enter "prohibited" in the search field.
walkingartwork
OPJul 12, 2026 at 10:37 PMCouldn’t find a category that fits.