What do you think about eBay's decision to prohibit textbooks for homeschool teachers?

Question

See http://tammybruce.com/2006/08/ebay_bans_home.php

Billy - because eBay thinks it's "llegal, dangerous, offensive, and potentially infringing."

See http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=51702

Answer 1

I do not like it at ALL! I buy a lot of my home school supplies from them. If they don't change it back I think someone should set up a site where home school families can sell to other home school families. Make EBay lose business. They have a category for textbooks, are they going to do away with that whole category. I am really steamed.

Answer 2

What I don't understand is why this is getting so much press NOW?!?! This was first put in place over a year ago (maybe even two). Yes, it seems pretty ridiculous, but they have a good enough reason - teacher's editions often have answers in them and it would be easy for a public school kid to get their hands on one this way. Let them have their policy.

I've seen (and bought) lots of "teacher's editions" that made it through their scrutiny by billing themselves as "parent's editions" or "homeschool guide". If there is ever a day when eBay figures this out and just shuts down their textbook category altogether, there are plenty of other sources - VegSource, CraigsList... There's even a Yahoo! Group just for used homeschool items for sale.

If eBay doesn't want my business, I'll go someplace else. Personally, I see it as an opportunity for an enterprising homeschool student to start-up an internet-based business selling used homeschool items.

Answer 3

eBay prohibits teacher's edition textbooks from being auctioned because it's arguable that students would have a fairly easy way of getting possession of one for, let's say, unethical purposes. Even if they have no eBay account, any friend over 18 with a credit card could make it happen. Anyone with a legitimate need for those editions has other available resources for procuring them, and eBay has no obligation to accommodate them given the risk involved.

Answer 4

I think that it is silly.

The public system changes books quite often -- in some places they do this every year. So, what would it matter of someone gets hold of a teacher's edition! The teacher's edition won't make it possible for anyone to "cheat". But it MIGHT make it possible for them to learn something.

Imagine if ALL students had teacher's editions!!! They could teach themselves and the colleges for teachers would to their dismay be out of business.

jmo

Answer 5

i think it is not right at all. what's to say a student in the classroom getting a hold of the answer key. i think ebay is going to probably regrat doing so in my opinion. i have read what others think and allot have said their needs to be a homeschool auction site dedicated for homeschoolers only. i have created a site www.homeschoolauction.net. check it out

Answer 6

solution: go to Textbook411.com it instantly searches the inventory of every major online bookstore (ebay stores included) so if its not on ebay......... its still on Textbook411

Answer 7

I think its stupid. I closed my ebay account becasue of that move. They obviously don't want our business.

Answer 8

Well, unfortunately they can do whatever they want...it's their site. However, I think that is discrimination and I don't like it.

Answer 9

I think that any ban on books is midevil and @$$backwards.

Answer 10

Surely this isn't true! It's ridiculous!