Adult buying for a child on Ebay?

mdonaldson

I sell some toys on Ebay which are intended to be purchased by adult collectors and not children – I state this clearly on each listing.

I recently sold a toy on Ebay. The buyer contacted me after winning it asking me the reason that I only sell to adult collectors. He said he won the toy for his 9 year old son.

Now since he has told me that he is buying it for a child to play with, I told him that I would have to cancel the transaction as they are for adult collectors only. But he is still determined that he wants to have it and has emailed me repeatedly.

Now is it OK for me to send the item to him knowing he will give it to his child? After all, I have told him clearly that the item is for adult collectors. If the child was to get hurt by the toy would I get in trouble or would the blame lie with the father? But then again I knew that the toy was going to the child so maybe I should not send it?

I personally do not believe that I should do it – I put these rules on the listing and believe I should stick by them. But can anyone tell me what the UK laws would be in this matter?

Norma_Desmond

It's the parent's responsibility surely? If a father were to buy a chainsaw on the high street and then stupidly let his 9 year old use it, it would hardly be the shops' fault.

Burlesque_Babe

I don't understand why you can't allow a child to have something given to him by his father? Does it have very sharp pieces or is dangerous if used as a toy?? Would it be deemed as 'adult' in a sexual way ?

Surely it is up to the buyer to do whatever they want with the item once they have it and thus take the consequences if they child injures themself rather than it being your fault?

sequence

Not sure what the problem is ? Why do you care who gets these toys. Certainly I'd rather see any toys being enjoyed by a child than sitting in some collectors shack gathering dust ?
Of course you can't be made to sell but you'll get a neg if you don't.

If you sold it and have been paid just send it, surely ?
He could just be winding you up mind having seen your notice in the listing! I'd probably do that :rolleyes:

TurkishDelight

Unless you are selling knives, alcohol, or age restricted films (don't think there is even a restriction on non moving !!!!!!, but I could be wrong.), then there is no legal reason you can't sell. Surely it would be the manufacturer who would be liable in any case- as long as you pass along their warnings (where available) then I can't see how this could be a problem for you.

Premier_2

(a) any person is supposed to be at least 18 years old to have an ebay account

(b) if an item is sold on ebay, you are expected to supply it or face the possibility of being suspended as a non performing seller.

(c) as a seller, you can decide who you will and wont sell to, but that has to be done before the listing ends.

(d) there are certain items that you shouldn't sell if you have reason to believe these will be given to a minor. Toys, even old ones, are not one of them.
Things such as knives, firearms & alcohol are prohibited for sale to anyone on ebay anyway.

soolin

I do have a concern that you are selling something a little 'ostrange' here otherwise it does rather seem a slightly odd question. However, all questions are valid so here goes...

I used to sell a lot of sci fi collectable items these too were aimed at the adult market as they were not designed as toys, merely to be collected and admired. However there was absolutely nothing at all that stopped them from being unsuitable for a child so although to me it seemed odd at the time if a parent bought them for a child to play with that was their perogative .Now of course that there is absolutely no value at all in any of these alledged collectable items it makes perfect sense to have just taken them out of their packaging and enjoyed them.

I saw a James May programme recently where he was making fun of collectors who buy toys merely to admire them, and even as a sci fi nut it seems strange to me to buy something that will never be used...in that programme he bought a vintage train, took it out of the box and played with it. It made a great deal of sense actually, why buy something just to say you have it?

Still, I digress. unless you are knowingly selling dangerous or illegal items I wouldn't worry at all.

*LoopyLaura*

Bit OTT?! What is the item in question?

Maysie

Is this a uk sale to a uk buyer? as long as they know its aimed at collectors market its their perogotive what they do with it. Don't do yourself out of a sale worrying they would not have a comeback as you have made it clear who its aimed at.

StaffsSW

I'm guessing this may be a tin toy robot or similar - they type that were popular in the 60's and 70's until kids started slicing themselves open when they pulled them apart.

Not that I speak from experience of course...

These "toys" are still sold by one company in the UK, but they are clearly marked as collectable only - not suitable for children due to the sharp edges.

Alternatively, I have some vintage games consoles that I'm planning on selling at some point in the future. Although they were kids toys about 20 years ago, the thought of some spolit kid getting their impatiient and sticky fingers on it would be sacreligious.

Mandy44

What sort of adult toys are they ,things like dildos etc ?

If it's in your item description just cancel the order.