# Are ebay and paypal liberal? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 29, 2006, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-ebay-and-paypal-liberal/366578 "2006-07-29T20:41:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2006, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-ebay-and-paypal-liberal/366578/21 "2006-07-31T16:42:47Z")
[QUOTE=Fear Itself] Then how does the Gun Control Act (or any federal statute) compel eBay and PayPal to restrict the sale of guns? [/QUOTE] Because the act bans direct mail-order of firearms? ---
**Author:** ![Excalibre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Excalibre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Excalibre)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2006, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-ebay-and-paypal-liberal/366578/22 "2006-07-31T18:02:33Z")
So, under the logic espoused by mangeorge’s pals, what other parts of the Constitution is eBay violating? > [@](#): > > Alcohol (also see Wine) eBay hates the twenty-first amendment! > [@](#): > > Autographed Items > Beta Software > Bootleg Recordings > Brand Name Misuse > Catalog Sales > Compilation and Informational Media > Describing Drugs or Drug-like Substances > Downloadable Media > Encouraging Illegal Activity > Encouraging Infringement Policy > Faces, Names and Signatures > Mailing Lists and Personal Information > Mature Audiences > Misleading Titles > Mod Chips, Game Enhancers, and Boot Discs > Movie Prints > OEM Software > Offensive Material > Political Memorabilia > Recordable Media > Teacher’s Edition Textbooks > Unauthorized Copies eBay hates free speech! > [@](#): > > Food eBay hates _life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness!_ ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2006, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-ebay-and-paypal-liberal/366578/23 "2006-07-31T19:46:30Z")
[QUOTE=Rysto] Because the act bans direct mail-order of firearms? [/QUOTE] The direct mail order of firearms is not necessary to buy a firearm from an online auction. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-ebay-and-paypal-liberal/366578/24 "2006-08-01T23:13:26Z")
[QUOTE=DMark] Actually, the phrase is **deep** pockets, but you know what I meant… [/QUOTE] Thanks, you just remnided me of another phrase for another thread. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-ebay-and-paypal-liberal/366578/25 "2006-08-01T23:33:01Z")
[QUOTE=interface2x] Is it really all that different from complaining that my local Wendy’s or Barnes and Noble refuses to carry firearms? I’d hardly say that they’re stomping on the constitution. A business has the freedom to choose what they sell and if it seems out of line of their normal merchandise (like Wendy’s or Barnes and Noble) or just like a pain in the ass (likely Ebay), I wouldn’t call them any political persuasion. If it made economic sense for them to do it (i.e. high profits, no risk of legal action, etc.) I have no doubt that Ebay would be selling guns before I finish this post. [/QUOTE] I can’t tell if you’re argueing or agreeing with me. :dubious: Anyway, ebay doesn’t sell anything. At least they didn’t. They don’t even broker sales, not really. They’re more akin to an online flea market. Anyway, we all seem to agree that ebay and paypal’s refusal doesn’t. in itself, brand them as liberal. I still wonder, though, if they engage in other practices that convince some that they are indeed liberal. I hpoe not. I’d much prefer them to be conservative, which I suspec,t is the case. I think I’m ready to go ask this question on the “gunslinger” board. They’ll probably get mad at me. ☹ mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-ebay-and-paypal-liberal/366578/26 "2006-08-01T23:44:00Z")
[QUOTE=mangeorge] I can’t tell if you’re argueing or agreeing with me. :dubious: [/QUOTE] I’m agreeing with you 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ghanima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Ghanima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ghanima)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-ebay-and-paypal-liberal/366578/27 "2006-08-01T23:55:30Z")
I think it’s safe to assume they’re both fairly conservative. Contributions by the CEO of Ebay/Paypal: [http://www.newsmeat.com/ceo\_political\_donations/Meg\_Whitman.php](http://www.newsmeat.com/ceo_political_donations/Meg_Whitman.php) Notice the ration of Repub/Dem contributions. P.S. Autographed items??? What is that about? I’ve seen autographed stuff on ebay such as comics and posters. WTF? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-ebay-and-paypal-liberal/366578/28 "2006-08-02T00:36:55Z")
[QUOTE=Ghanima] P.S. Autographed items??? What is that about? I’ve seen autographed stuff on ebay such as comics and posters. WTF? [/QUOTE] Those are “restricted” not nessesarily prohibited. You have to click on the link (once there) and follow it to an explanation of each listed item. For “Autographed items” it is: \*Autographed items are unique in that they can be highly valuable, but easily forged. eBay tries to keep its marketplace safe for both buyers and sellers of autographs, and has developed the following policies to protect our community members: ``` Sellers may not list blank Certificates of Authenticity (COAs) or sell COAs as stand-alone items. Sellers may not refer in their listings to examinations or certificates of authenticity issued by the parties mentioned in the “Unacceptable Authenticators” section under “Additional Information” below. Sellers are strongly urged to follow the listing guidelines described in the “Additional Information” section below. ``` - ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-ebay-and-paypal-liberal/366578/29 "2006-08-02T01:43:06Z")
[QUOTE=Ghanima] I think it’s safe to assume they’re both fairly conservative. Contributions by the CEO of Ebay/Paypal: [http://www.newsmeat.com/ceo\_political\_donations/Meg\_Whitman.php](http://www.newsmeat.com/ceo_political_donations/Meg_Whitman.php) Notice the ration of Repub/Dem contributions. P.S. Autographed items??? What is that about? I’ve seen autographed stuff on ebay such as comics and posters. WTF? [/QUOTE] Thanks. That’s a keeper. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-ebay-and-paypal-liberal/366578.md?page=1)