EBay is leading a modern-day witch-hunt, banning many supernatural items from being sold on its site. According to the Los Angeles Times: prohibited items include “advice; spells; curses; hexing; conjuring; magic services; prayers; blessings; Psychic, Tarot, Reiki, and other metaphysical readings & services; magic potions; healing sessions.”
The reason eBay is giving for the ban is that customer complaints about the effectiveness of such products and services are difficult to measure. An eBay spokeswoman also said that items such as jewelry, incense, candles and books — which can be used in metaphysical rituals — are still available on the site. The difference between these items and the former is that jewelry, incense , candles and books have a measurable value and effectiveness can’t be questioned.
There are many problems with this line of reasoning. If eBay is banning a type of service provider because customers can complain about the quality of the service, what about all of the other service providers that have listings on the site? A quick glance found that eBay features listings for credit repair, financial advice, cleaning services, and tutoring. So if I complain to eBay that a financial advisor I found on eBay gave me bad advice is that eBay’s fault? Likewise, if I disagree with a housekeeper hired on eBay about the meaning of clean, is eBay responsible and should they then give all housecleaners the boot?
Here’s hoping that other online retailers don’t follow suit, but on the bright side: those looking for supernatural products and services now know where not to go.
