Problems trying to sell-on a ‘Swiss’ Army knife

[GreensandsParticipant @greensands]

I recently tried to list a Chinese made look-alike multi-purpose 'Swiss' Army knife on fleabay but was prevented from doing so as it is against their policy to advertise knives of any description. Seems a pity as there is nothing wrong with it and as far as I am concerned is surplus to requirements. Anyone interested ?

[GreensandsParticipant @greensands]

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

I have the same problem with WW1 bayonets – I may take the cutting disc to them and then dispose into the scrap metal bin. I certainly wouldn't want them to get into irresponsible ownership.

[pgk pgkParticipant @pgkpgk17461]

As per my link in the thread re finding a penknife.. Etsy seem happy to list them

pgk

[VersabossParticipant @versaboss]

I just had a look in ebay.de. Full of army knives…

I think it is possible to list something in all foreign sub-sites. Buying from anywhere is not a problem afaik.

Regards,
Hans

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Greensands on 28/04/2021 16:09:27:

I recently tried to list a Chinese made look-alike multi-purpose 'Swiss' Army knife on fleabay but was prevented from doing so as it is against their policy to advertise knives of any description.

[…]

.

… only enforced when it suits them ?

**LINK**

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/333976808820

MichaelG.

[Brian HParticipant @brianh50089]

Or, how about this?

Brian

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133733779570?hash=item1f23278872:g:OfwAAOSwHt1gfZQJ

Edited By Brian H on 28/04/2021 16:44:22

[GreensandsParticipant @greensands]

Its available foc to anyone who would like it and happy to cover cost of postage, say £2.50. Anyone interested then send me a PM with an email address and I will forward some photos.

[pgk pgkParticipant @pgkpgk17461]

It may be worth hanging onto if holidays every become a thing again. back in the day I used to snap up the odd cheap leatherman copy and pack a few to take on holiday to more deprived countries… useful gifts, bribes, raffle prizes..

pgk

[jann westParticipant @jannwest71382]

Your vague description suggests that you were listing a knife which at best was likely a trademark infringements, at worst is a straight-up counterfeit. Ebay's policies on counterfeits and trademarks infringement – whether you agree or not – is really clear. Also, e-bay didn't pull your auction, the brand owner did, through the VERO programme – eBay only act on instruction from the brand owners. 

 

Edited By jann west on 28/04/2021 19:01:35

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Change the description. Call it a swiss army multi-tool?

[Robert Atkinson 2Participant @robertatkinson2]

Knives other than table knives are banned on ebay UK. The bayonet linked to was on the USA ebay site.

Enforcement is patchy but they will take down knife listings. What I find funny is that military equipment is also banned but they have caegories for militaria and military vehicles. Quote<

"The following or similar items are not allowed:

• Ordnance, military weaponry (such as grenades and landmines), ammunition and related parts, and most military vehicles including aircraft and ships, even if it has been made "unserviceable" or has been "de-militarised" or "de-milled"
• Articles or services specifically designed, developed, configured, adapted or modified for a military application."

And if you go to selling categories "Cars, Motorcycles & Vehicles > Military Vehicles Change category"

Go figure.

Robert G8RPI

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Robert Atkinson 2 on 28/04/2021 20:21:56:

Knives other than table knives are banned on ebay UK. The bayonet linked to was on the USA ebay site.

.

But the Swiss (sic) Army Knife that I linked was on

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/333976808820

MichaelG.

[Tim StevensParticipant @timstevens64731]

I stopped at a roadside cafe in Bulgaria in the 1970s, and took out my Swiss-Army knife to open a beer. The landlady leaped at me, saying 'Goodness, Sir, Please sell me your knife – with a knife like that I can open a business'.

Cheers, Tim

[Robert Atkinson 2Participant @robertatkinson2]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 28/04/2021 20:28:01:

Posted by Robert Atkinson 2 on 28/04/2021 20:21:56:

Knives other than table knives are banned on ebay UK. The bayonet linked to was on the USA ebay site.

.

But the Swiss (sic) Army Knife that I linked was on

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/333976808820

MichaelG.

It's been removed.

They don't do it instantly unless it is very clear in the description. I didn't report it.

Robert G8RPI.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Touché

MichaelG.

[peak4Participant @peak4]

Posted by Speedy Builder5 on 28/04/2021 16:12:58:

I have the same problem with WW1 bayonets – I may take the cutting disc to them and then dispose into the scrap metal bin. I certainly wouldn't want them to get into irresponsible ownership.

Etsy is one possible choice, or if you have a Facebook account, then there are genuine knife/bayonet collectors groups. Mostly they are private to prevent idiots. Like ebay UK, don't try listing openly on Facebook as the posts will likely be removed.

Re. ebay, as far as I'm aware, the issue is buying items in the UK or Eire. It used to be OK to list knives etc, provided that they were only available to overseas buyers, so there didn't used to be a problem listing on ebay.com, provided there was no dispatch to the UK or Eire.

It would be a shame to scrap items of genuine historic interest, and if sold responsibly will likely fetch reasonable money. Selling at a fair price, also has the effect that they are unlikely to get into the wrong hands.

There are also specialist militaria auctions and sites.

Bill

[Phil SParticipant @phils66830]

I had a problem buying a few dining knives recently on a buy it now. The problem did not show up until I tried to pay. Solved by getting buyer to modify the listing leaving out the offending word. A suitable m1sspelling might also work.

[Brian HParticipant @brianh50089]

You could always try "https://milweb.net/classifieds.php"

Brian

Edited By Brian H on 28/04/2021 22:54:06

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Posted by Phil S on 28/04/2021 22:52:12:

I had a problem buying a few dining knives recently on a buy it now. The problem did not show up until I tried to pay. Solved by getting buyer to modify the listing leaving out the offending word. A suitable m1sspelling might also work.

Yep, as my post above, simple to solve the problem and so easy to avoid it in the first place.

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by not done it yet on 29/04/2021 08:02:43:

Posted by Phil S on 28/04/2021 22:52:12:

I had a problem buying a few dining knives recently on a buy it now. The problem did not show up until I tried to pay. Solved by getting buyer to modify the listing leaving out the offending word. A suitable m1sspelling might also work.

Yep, as my post above, simple to solve the problem and so easy to avoid it in the first place.

Not when the real problem is knife crime!

The law has to draw the line somewhere to make life difficult for persons of ill-intent. Otherwise you get multi-barrelled 37mm anti-aircraft guns being sold as 'bird-scarers' to chaps who want them to shoot down police helicopters!

Of course the law is an ass, but can I gently suggest it's not appropriate to use the Model Engineering forum to promote ways of breaking it.

Dave

[SamsarandaParticipant @samsaranda]

I have to say that Amazon are on the ball when it comes to the regulations concerning bladed items, ordered some Stanley knife blades and they arrived this morning, the delivery person wouldn’t hand them over until he had verified my age by giving him my date of birth, I must look younger than my 74 years! Dave W

[Nick Clarke 3Participant @nickclarke3]

Posted by Samsaranda on 29/04/2021 14:06:09:

I have to say that Amazon are on the ball when it comes to the regulations concerning bladed items, ordered some Stanley knife blades and they arrived this morning, the delivery person wouldn’t hand them over until he had verified my age by giving him my date of birth, I must look younger than my 74 years! Dave W

When I take booze through the supermarket till and you see them having to press the verify button on the screen to confirm I am old enough it makes me laugh – mind you I am a bit younger than you and they *NEVER* have asked me if I am old enough – I must look aged!

[Martin KyteParticipant @martinkyte99762]

Posted by Nick Clarke 3 on 29/04/2021 14:12:10:

Posted by Samsaranda on 29/04/2021 14:06:09:

I have to say that Amazon are on the ball when it comes to the regulations concerning bladed items, ordered some Stanley knife blades and they arrived this morning, the delivery person wouldn’t hand them over until he had verified my age by giving him my date of birth, I must look younger than my 74 years! Dave W

When I take booze through the supermarket till and you see them having to press the verify button on the screen to confirm I am old enough it makes me laugh – mind you I am a bit younger than you and they *NEVER* have asked me if I am old enough – I must look aged!

Are you sure they are not confirming that they are old enough to sell it to you? Under 18's have to be supervised to sell booze.

regards Martin

[Mike PooleParticipant @mikepoole82104]

Wouldn’t it be ageist if they don’t ask everyone for proof of age for alcohol, solvents and blades, as I am 64 I just get away without being asked. I have never been asked to verify my age despite being a pub user from the age of 16. I am fortunate that in those days underage drinking was not policed like now which I feel was a good thing, now youths get hold of alcohol and drink unsupervised and get into all sorts of problems. Landlords were not fools and drinking in the company of experienced kept things under control. I suspect there are more trips to A&E now the young drink in the park than in the days when the landlord turned a blind eye.

Mike

[Author]

Posts