Bladed items new restrictions...

[peacocksrestoration]

Just need to ask if there are things being put in place to accommodate the changes? The message I got was currently only UPS provides this service and I cannot use UPS. This would mean essentially the main part of my sales will be wiped out meaning I will have to close my account and move on. I'm sure this will be sorted but it's worrying. Other services coming like EVRI and royal mail? eBay already requires me to buy the postage through them as such so I'll need services in place! I hope the costs of these services and inconvenience doesn't cripple sales as well. Then there's international sales... That will need the GSP to have an option for it no?

As a side note if we are getting age verification for selling now surely we can start selling actual knives with this service soon? Or surely more categories are going to be added such as antique items or vintage butchers cleavers? Thanks.

[randydave]

There are so many ‘dangerous’ items I’m no longer able to sell now… can’t offer collection in person and no cost effective postal options

however On the river there are no restrictions, you can buy jigsaw, hacksaw, circular saw blades on there for less than she restricted postage here

biggest issue is people staying home for couriers to have photo ID for small items that usually go through letterbox while at work

looking online plastic lawnmower blades are NOT age restricted items, but they are on eBay 

anything and everything that says saw or blade is now being removed by AI technology and even appeals are being denied 

I can’t even sell a jigsaw now

its taken £12’000 of stock out of my sales that I can no longer sell, time to find a different sales platform I think

[v83500]

The problem with all this bladed items rubbish is it is total overkill.The 0.001 percent of the population that wants to buy a weapon is going to get hold of one anyway.While the rest of the public are being treated like criminals and for the life of me I can't see how a lawnmower blade,saw,pick,chisel,etc can be classed as bladed items.Im in Spain on holiday at the moment and every sporting goods type shop has window displays of daggers butterfly knives machetes etc But all the Spaniards aren't running round stabbing one another so it's not the knife that is the problem it's education Rant Over

[randydave]

Exactly this

if an under 18 wants a weapon they’ll find one, usually around the house where there are many, many things they can use

if someone over 18 buys a boxed item such as a plastic lawmower blade or a pack of jigsaw blades for example, do they lock them up so anyone under 18 in the home can get to them….. NO so are legally in the home for anyone to get, anything can be classed as a weapon if you want it to be!

you can do someone more damage with a pen or pencil than a plastic mower blade, or hitting someone over the head with a tin of beans can do as much damage as a circular saw blades, without crippling the assailant in the process 

you can buy a packet of jigsaw blades on the river for £1.56 delivered, pushed through the letterbox if not in, but here they have to pay £7 postage and take a day off work to show photo ID to take delivery 

it’s simply not a level playing field anymore and simply stopped people selling everyday items that have been okay for centuries here

its absolutely crazy and not well thought out at all, there’s no clear guidelines anywhere that I can find specifying individual items 

[yessongs90125]

it’s beyond ridiculous . Nearly everyday I’m having listings removed . Just had a black and decker jigsaw bundle with battery and charger with 3 free jigsaw BLADES . I’ve had stock removed I’ve paid for and warehouse just to have them removed as they mention ‘ BLADE ‘ I’m beyond *bleep* off . Lost time money ( they gladly took insertion fees from me . ) Contacted eBay only to be told I need age verified  postage service . How the hell do I afford that on a pack of jigsaw blades I barely make 60 pence on . This is crazy who the hell kills someone with a bloody jigsaw blade . I’m seriously loosing business and money and thinking of just pulling the plug 

[thea6]

Can't tou pick the age confirmed shipping method. Then alter the postage
price to the usual one for standard post . Then when purchased just dont
buy the label thru eBay. Buy it from evri or RM direct and then just mark
it as posted and add your own tracking number. That works for me.

[yessongs90125]

Too late for me . I’ve had dozens of listing removed … lawnmower blades , jigsaw blades . Tools with accessories such as spare blades . I’m loosing time …. Effort in creating listings .. listing fees I’ve had to pay whilst the listings were live . I’ve bought stock I can no longer sell and I’m paying for a warehouse to stock stock in cannot now sell . I’m on the brink of telling eBay to shove it were a BLADE cannot shine 

[yessongs90125]

Same problem , £1000’s of pounds of stock I’ve purchased sitting in a warehouse I have to pay for . Listing fees paid and time taken all scrubbed off . When was a jigsaw blade last used to kill someone . I’m seriously looking a pulling the plug . EBay’s like the sodding Gestapo now 

[jonatjonatjonat]

This is not just related to ebay. This is down from the UK government.

I would suggest reading this page

It does not matter if a jigsaw blade was ever used or could be used to kill some one - the law as written in the offensive weapons act 2019 refers to bladed products. It refers to these products being 'defined as articles that are, or have, a blade and are capable of causing serious injury to a person, involving cutting that person's skin'. Given a jigsaw blade could be capable of that - under the law, these restrictions need to be in place. So any case needs to go to the UK government, not ebay.

John Lewis for example are insisting on age verification if you wish to buy a pair of Burgon and Ball hand secaturs, for example. You may find some websites that don't have these restrictions - however, thye would be breaking the law as written.

[randydave]

Today they removed a saw blade centre reducing bush…. A metal washer 20mm in diameter with no sharp edges, its every item in the blade or saw category they are removing blindly
Items that are not age restricted anywhere else in the world are now no longer allowed on eBay
These are a £1.95 item, now need to add £7 postage, they are not going to sell
I have recently noticed bladed items listed on here, showing age restricted postage for delivery, for less than the age verification postage service though, so either some people are getting a very cheap deal on it or saying they’re sending age verified and then using standard mail ?
On the river you can buy a packet of 5 jigsaw blades for £1.59 including delivery……. You have to add £7 to our postage £6.23 Royal Mail cost plus 15% eBay fees to sell on eBay…… it’s simply not a level playing field anymore
Sent from my iPhone

[thea6]

Yeah. Just say it's going with age proof post. And then dont send it that
way .. Everyone is a winner

[yessongs90125]

Thank you for your email . I’ll give that a go 👍

[peacocksrestoration]

Yes the law is badly worded then it's also being implemented badly resulting in lunacy...I wonder if even eBay are tearing their hair out behind the scenes a bit. 😕

[yessongs90125]

Perhaps they ( eBay ) should have pre warned folk like me who’s spent lots
of time and money on stock for it now to be a millstone around my neck .
They didn’t give any prior guidance and are now on nearly a daily basis
removing my listings . I’m not an happy bunny . It’s beyond a joke and I’m
hoping they pull anyone’s listings now that can be sharpened and used as a
weapon . Things like pegs , knitting needles , tent pegs … you name it 😤 .
Maybe this will all be reconsidered or at least in part properly amended
and quickly .

[elliott-grafix]

Then Amazon are breaking the Law 10s of thousands of times a day. I have lost count of the number of times bladed tools (Workshop, gardening & even a Swiss Army Knife) have been delivered to me without any personal contact (Letterbox or left in Blue Bin, garden shed etc.).

[elliott-grafix]

The Ai seems to be focusing on specific words, in particular - Blade, Blades, Knife, Knives. Use those words in the Title and the listing is automatically barred. So - Avoid using those Words.

The Ai is a little less pernickety with any Descriptions enclosed in any HTML Body text details but could still result in a later deletion, suggesting a Bot or two actively trawl the listings for any perceived dodgy behaviour.

Several folk have mentioned problems even trying to list items - like Circular Saws - Without Blades - And being refused or told to use some Age Verified postal service. I suggest avoiding using the word 'Blade' or similar - For example saying 'Without Cutting Disc' would suffice.

Cannot see any legal requirement for Age Verification as there is no Blade involved.

[v83500]

Elliot your comment is from someone who has no experience of what ebay are
deleting its not just blades but things like Chisels Saws I have had 3
listings deleted for Hacksaws what damage can you do with one of them
digging picks even pneumatic air shears for cutting sheet metal.Its all
total madness

[elliott-grafix]

In the past year I have sold Forty items including Circular Saw & Fret Saw Assemblies, Wood Chisels, Circular Saw Blades, Cutting Tools etc. for Lathes. Never had a single listing rejected or refused until I tried to list a vintage X-Acto Carving set (In retrospect a fairly obvious eBay block). A subsequent look here in the 'Community' was the first time (in 12 years trading) that I was aware that some folk were have real problems listing ordinary Tools because of regulations. So - You are right - I have no experience of your rejection problem but what I said still stands.

Search eBay for 'Carving Set', 'Used', 'UK Only' and you will see 1000+ results amongst which there is no shortage of Chisels and Wood Carving Tools. A random search will also find plenty of other supposed 'Bladed' items for sale.

Very often the people listing have been careful in the terminology used, although I notice that 'Carving' and 'Chisel' have been used freely without problems. I reiterate the Ai is picking up on some specific 'Trigger' words (ie. Blade, Blades, Knife, Knives). I have used the word 'Saw' and 'Chisels' regularly without issues but have only used 'Blade' (as in Saw blade) in a Listings subsequent details.

I have danced with their evolving algorithm many times, usually when my international buyers say that eBay won't let them buy an item of mine for no logical reason (Not a bladed item - usually some other spare part for a lathe) and often I just re-jig the Title terminology  - Less detail while remaining accurate and, Hey-presto, it gets through OK. Obviously there was something in the Title that the Ai either misread or did not like.

This is typical 'dumb' Ai behaviour as is the random nature of your 'Rejections'. I agree with you, it is all crazy but regulations are being increasingly controlled by Ai Tech, usually managed or supported by folk that have not a clue about the regulation detail or its application. It is not going away so 'Get used to it'.

p.s. B&Q here in Dundee once had Wood Glue (The white water-based stuff) behind a locked cabinet. When I asked why - They said "It's Glue! We have a real problem here with Kids Glue-sniffing!"
I kid you not!

[elliott-grafix]

Just a quick addendum to my earlier comment.

I do notice that most, but not all, of the Chisels listed on eBay have used an 'Age Verification' postal service. I find that puzzling - There are those few that dont say 'Age verification' and certainly, I have never had a Circular saw blade, Chisel or cutting tool listing rejected or queried by eBay, even though I have never used an age verification postal service.

OK I admit, I was probably 'Out of Line' on the Chisels but I will stick to my guns on the Circular Saw equipment & Cutting Tools unless the dreaded Ai catches up with me!

[road-rage_malc]

So a bosch circular saw 18v LI + 5Ah battery and charger + case - WITHOUT THE SAW BLADE,
is still a bladed item - The automated chat is a JOKE.
jigsaws and planers  ARE also - So sell them without the blades. and put in description !!!!!!!

[peacocksrestoration]

To be honest there have been a lot of murders committed with planners throughout history... Very dangerous... Takes about a week to do it and the victim has to stay absolutely still and flat. 😉