MORE ON EBAY'S BAN OF CUBAN COINS AND BANKNOTES

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V16 2013 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 16, Number 18, May 5, 2013, Article 11

Regarding eBay's apparent banning of all Cuban coin and banknotes, Ralph Lanham writes:

eBay is a very good example of the "Big Brother" use of computers. I had listed a real nice pin from athletic activities in the 1930's that had among other countries' flags the German flag with Swastika. They scanned the photo and took it down and threatened me if I put it back up. I have also heard of this happening to early Boy Scout medals with the Swastika. They are clueless when it comes to collectibles. I moved a lot of items to eBid, which is based in the U.K.

eBay is quite generic in its rejection message. When I recently tried to list an American Bank Note Company souvenir card that I have been selling on eBay for well over a decade ("ABNC souvenir card SO 84 FUN 1992 Cuba 1889 50 centavos note Columbus woman"), it was rejected with the message "240. The item cannot be listed or modified. The title and/or description may contain improper words, or the listing or seller may be in violation of eBay policy."

Even though it is an American product, and depicts a 120+ year old banknote, eBay won't let it go through ... Rather than fight them, I've just removed this product from my eBay rotation.

This reminds me of the flap a few years ago when eBay put an "electronic payment required" policy in effect. They prohibited the use of the words "cash" and "checks" in the title and item description. eBay tweaked their software very quickly when the music sellers howled that all of their Johnny Cash CD listings were being rejected ...

As a Cuban American and United States Citizen, I would like to thank you for your eBay’s enforcement of our laws with regard to the Trading with the Enemy Act (and subsequent laws on embargoed goods) recently implemented by eBay as the “Embargoed goods and prohibited countries policy”. It is truly reassuring to know that such a well known corporation as eBay will stand by the laws of our land.

I have some concerns and comments about the inclusion of all of the Cuban items. This topic has to be broken down into First Republic and Second Republic coins, stamps, and paper money. First Republic refers to items minted in the United States prior to the embargo in 1963, while Second Republic refers to items minted after the embargo in 1963.

First, it was a little surprising that this policy was implemented without any advanced notice that would have given us an opportunity to question it before it took effect. The first I learned of the policy was on the day it took effect, April 9, 2013, as I attempted to list additional First Republic coins after selling seven other First Republic coins without controversy.

In the words of a Chinese Proverb that says “Do not remove a fly from a friend’s forehead with a hatchet”, this policy, with respect to Cuba at least, is using a hatchet to remove a fly from the friendly foreheads of loyal sellers, buyers, and collectors of First Republic coins, stamps, and paper money.

I truly hope eBay can find a way to ensure compliance with the law while permitting us to sell and buy the objects of our beloved hobby without fear of being labeled outlaws because we love our First Republic coinage, paper money, and stamps.