On Ebay right now

[morqthana]

People with no electrical knowledge can, and do, buy these electrical connectors in DIY sheds. There is a 50:50 chance that they will fit them the correct way round. I found one installed incorrectly on my father in law's lawnmower, he had no idea that it mattered which cable each connector part had been fitted to and had been using the mower with the widow maker arrangement for several years.

And unless he'd been barefoot on wet grass, touching the end wot bites would have just been a quick bzzt-ah-bloody-hell

 

[pcaouolte]

And unless he'd been barefoot on wet grass, touching the end wot bites would have just been a quick bzzt-ah-bloody-hell

I would rather he didn't test that theory. He's nearly 90 with COPD and a quick bzzt might be enough to finish him.

 

[SUNRAY]

And Ebays reply?

Thanks again for reporting the listing(s) you found. We wanted to let you know that we closed your report for the below referenced listing(s). These listings have not been removed. This determination was made using automation or artificial intelligence.

If you reported content that isn’t listed below, we’ll send a separate email once we’ve made a decision.

Your reference ID:
2-191813654092

Here are the listings you reported that are included in this decision:
Item: 116514213971 3 X LED Par 56 Short Black DMX Cans & 3 X Power Leads & Rigging Bar Manual Auto


Thank you for being part of the eBay community.
Thanks,

eBay

Not even looked at by a person... no surprise there.

 

[endecotp]

This determination was made using automation or artificial intelligence.

Next time there's a government consultation on AI, send this as an example of how AI is going to kill us all.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

E bay came back and said it's not in violation of our policies so we will do nothing despite me appealling the first decision. So I can only assume that who ever looked at the ad also couldnt see a problem despite me pointing out exactly what the problem was....

I did the same, including appealing - with exactly the same result.

 

[blup]

Why report a private non commercial posting? Are people really stupid enough to buy that stuff without appreciating the dangers or the need for modification? If so why is it anybody’s moral duty to get involved?

 

[JohnW2]

Why report a private non commercial posting? Are people really stupid enough to buy that stuff without appreciating the dangers or the need for modification?

The answer to that second question is surely "Yes", at least for some people (I would suspect many). ?

Sellers, whether 'private' or commercial, would surely not persist in posting their products if no-one was buying them, would they?

 

[flameport]

E bay came back and said it's not in violation of our policies so we will do nothing

The standard reply to any enquiry to ebay. They neither know or care when or if any policies they may have are not being followed.
For 'private' sellers items, ebay only gets money when things are sold. To remove such items denies them of revenue, so it will not happen - and given that there is no incentive for anyone to register as a business seller there, the vast bulk of what's offered falls into 'private seller' territory even when it's blatantly obvious that it's a business.

So I can only assume that who ever looked at the ad

Unlikely anyone looked at it. 99% of what goes on with ebay is automated, to ensure any enquires or complaints are fobbed off and ignored as quickly as possible.

 

[flameport]

. This determination was made using automation or artificial intelligence.

Indeed, and unless you have gone to the account settings and specifically opted out, ebay is using your personal data and everything you do on their sites to train AI models without your consent.

 

[blup]

The answer to that second question is surely "Yes", at least for some people (I would suspect many). ?

Sellers, whether 'private' or commercial, would surely not persist in posting their products if no-one was buying them, would they?

EBay sellers seem now to be either established commercial sellers e.g tool sites, direct from the far east sellers, or car boot sale/market stall sellers who sell whatever falls into their hands. The days of genuine private individual private sellers seem to be over as eBay’s algorithm tries unsuccessfully to be a kind of Amazon store

 

[endecotp]

Why report a private non commercial posting?

To try and save someone from electrocuting themselves.

Are people really stupid enough to buy that stuff without appreciating the dangers or the need for modification?

Yes.

If so why is it anybody’s moral duty to get involved?

That's a philosophical question. Personally, I think it makes the world a better place if we exhibit some altruism. Others disagree.

 

[SUNRAY]

That's a philosophical question. Personally, I think it makes the world a better place if we exhibit some altruism. Others disagree.

Actually that's a Health and Safety question and in very broad terms under the H&S act it is effectively compulsory to raise safety issues if you are aware of them.

 

[JohnW2]

EBay sellers seem now to be either established commercial sellers e.g tool sites, direct from the far east sellers, or car boot sale/market stall sellers who sell whatever falls into their hands. The days of genuine private individual private sellers seem to be over as eBay’s algorithm tries unsuccessfully to be a kind of Amazon store

All probably true, but I suspect that a lot of those classified by eBay as "private" sellers really are not that.

True 'private sellers', in the sense that they were in the early days of eBay, are likely to be selling 'used' items or single 'new' ones ('unwanted gift', 'bought in error' etc.) - so when they start offering relatively large quantities of 'new' items, they are unlikley to be 'true private' sellers (unless, I suppose, the stole the hoods 'in bulk' ).

I noticed this recently when I was looking at smoke alarms on eBay, the below being just one example. It is hard to understand how someone who has 'more than 10 ('new' items') available', and has already sold 159, can be a 'private seller' in the original eBay sense. Furthermore, even when only single items are being sold, it seems quite common for there to be simultaneous multiple listings from allegedly different sellers (with very low 'feedback' scores and periods of eBay membership) which look suspiciously as if they could be the same person/organisation!

I therefore think that more than a little caution is probably necessary in interpreting what eBay describe as "Private" and "Business" sellers!

 

[morqthana]

To try and save someone from electrocuting themselves.

Let them.

Serves them right.

That's a philosophical question. Personally, I think it makes the world a better place if we exhibit some altruism. Others disagree.

It will do no good.

Just like every single piece of H&S legislation we have, it's only deaths and injuries which prompt action - if we want eBay to be held to account we need people to be killed and injured because they are refusing to stop dangerous items being sold.

I so wish it were otherwise, but it isn't.

 

[morqthana]

All probably true, but I suspect that a lot of those classified by eBay as "private" sellers really are not that.

Report them to HMRC for VAT evasion.