# Ebay to stop supernatural services

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-to-stop-supernatural-services/633137>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [August 30, 2012, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-to-stop-supernatural-services/633137 "2012-08-30T12:42:10Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-to-stop-supernatural-services/633137/1 "2012-08-30T12:42:10Z")

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Front page in today’s Wall St. Journal:

> [@](#):
>
> EBay’s Old Black Magic Will Become a Thing of the Past
> 
> Seers Didn’t Anticipate That the Site Would Cast This Hex on Them
> 
> …
> 
> …
> 
> Earlier this month, eBay said it will shut down sales of “metaphysical” goods such as spells, potions and other magical services on its namesake website.

Here’s the link:

[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443864204577619283259196226.html?mod=WSJ\_hp\_EditorsPicks](http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443864204577619283259196226.html?mod=WSJ_hp_EditorsPicks)

…but the paper version is better. It has one of those patented pen-and-ink stipple pictures of an uncorked Florence Flask-like bottle leaking miasmic vapors, and labeled “A Potion”

> [@](#):
>
> Now many potion-makers, witches and others are seeking to keep up their supernatural businesses without eBay. Some are looking for loopholes around eBay’s shutdown. Others have tried listing their metaphysical services on [Craigslist.com](http://Craigslist.com), only to be propositioned by buyers interested in goods that are more of a physical nature than meta. Representatives for Craigslist couldn’t be reached to comment.
> 
> Still others are throwing in their wands and turning to less paranormal careers, like selling shoes.

I hope the shoes have curled-up pointed toes.

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**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-to-stop-supernatural-services/633137/2 "2012-08-30T12:43:14Z")

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I expect an upswing in the sales of striped socks as well.

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**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-to-stop-supernatural-services/633137/3 "2012-08-30T12:49:07Z")

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I didn’t notice before – the drawing of the bottle of “a potion” is at the bottom of the posted link.

It’s as good as thetime the WSJ posted a front-page drawing of “a Klingon”.

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**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-to-stop-supernatural-services/633137/4 "2012-08-30T13:00:26Z")

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[Previous thread on the subject.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=662567&) The article linked in the OP is longer and more recent, though.