Things You Can’t Sell on eBay
If you sell online long enough, you will soon learn that there is a list of things you can’t sell on eBay. You may list an item for sale and return later to see that eBay has pulled down your listing. You might even receive an email informing you that your item has been removed. You think to yourself that you didn’t do anything wrong, but eBay has a long list of brands and items that absolutely cannot be sold on their platform.
Why You Can’t Sell That
The biggest reason why eBay pulls listings down is copyright infringement. Almost all company logos are copyrighted. What you attempt to sell may infringe on a company or individual’s intellectual property. Certain brands do not approve of their merchandise being sold on eBay, even if it is brand new or never opened. Those companies can’t guarantee the item’s authenticity and can’t guarantee efficacy if you order things like vitamins or medications.
There are also instances where there may be logo or brand misuse, warranty misrepresentation, stolen images, etc. There is a long list of reasons why some items can’t be sold.
What is VeRO?
The purpose of the eBay VeRO program is to protect buyers and sellers. You want to know the items you are purchasing are authentic, and as a seller, you don’t want to sell something that is fake or could be potentially harmful. To make this work for everyone, eBay has a VeRO (Verified Rights Owner Program) list that you can refer to to ensure you aren’t listing items that are not allowed.
The companies on the VeRO list are listed from A-Z to make it easy to see if you are about to list a prohibited item. It takes only a few seconds to look, saving you time so you don’t waste it listing something that will get taken down.
Why You Need To Know This
If you repeatedly list items on the VeRO list, you can be restricted from selling for a while or be fully suspended from selling on eBay altogether. This would be fatal for your sales and making money. This is why it is essential to check this list often, especially if you sell designer items like purses and shoes.
Other Items You Can’t Sell
While the VeRO list tells you to name brands you can’t sell, you must still be careful about selling other items. eBay provides a comprehensive list of things you can’t sell. This includes things like animals, items that may be under embargo from different countries, police-related items, alcohol, prescription medications, and adult-only items. Now, there are certain exceptions. You cannot sell used underwear or socks, but you can sell pre-owned bras. If you are considering selling anything in the categories listed in the link above, you need to do your research and ensure you follow eBay listing guidelines. Even pre-owned clothes must be washed per eBay standards before you can sell them.
Don’t Be Discouraged
Don’t let this list of items you can’t sell prevent you from listing the ones you can. It may seem very overwhelming when you are just starting, but I’ve seen plenty of sellers (myself included) make the mistake of listing a restricted item simply because they didn’t know.
One great way to stay updated on the latest seller news is to follow the eBay For Business Facebook page or listen to the podcast. I follow along with both and find it to be a great way to stay updated on the latest seller news. I can remember when eBay changed its policies on selling pre-owned perfume. I heard it first on the podcast!
