Ebay and Murderabilia
Written: Feb 07 '01 (Updated Mar 12 '01)
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The Bottom Line
Since Ebay allows the listing of muderabilia, I recommend you avoid it for respect of the victims and their families.
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Most people have heard of ebay, the internet auction site. We hear all kinds of stories of strange things being sold there. I heard that one guy was selling an empty cardboard box. I don't know what price he was asking, but I don't think anyone bid on it. Another man wanted to sell his soul, but was told by ebay that he couldn't actually prove it existed, therefore he couldn't list it. Whether or not these are true, I do not know. But I heard about some other items yesterday and decided to check it out myself.
Muderabilia is the name that has been attached to this type of item. Letters written by Jeffery Dahmer, the last will and testament of Ted Bundy, and autographs of David Berkowitz are some such items that are currently for sale on ebay. Not to mention the trading cards, magnets, clocks, and the many other trinkets dedicated to the glorification of these notorious serial killers.
What's the deal here?!?
Ebay's response to criticism of allowing these items to be listed has been to defend themselves with the blanket of "avoiding censorship". They claim that they are only "serving their customers". But the fact is, they do censor items. You can't list alcohol, firearms, fireworks, postage meters, tobacco, something that infringes on copyrights or several other items listed on: http://pages.ebay.com/help/community/png-items.html, after all these are illegal in some cases. It is not illegal however, for one who has killed, raped, or even eaten numerous people to profit from his notoriety. This is simply wrong.
Although ebay won't restrict the listing of murderabilia by the criminals themselves or by collectors, many people are pushing for legislation to correct this. Restrictions on the internet are difficult and should be handled cautiously of course, but this is one area in which it should be addressed.
I am disappointed in ebay after finding out about this. Although I don't know anyone who's life has been affected directly by a serial killer, I can sympathize with them seeing the insult that is propagated by this web site. I don't plan on doing any business through ebay and I would hope you would consider avoiding them as well.
Thanks for reading
:^)
tb
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Epinions.com ID:
tortillaboy
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Member: Steve
Location: Pueblo, CO
Reviews written: 72
Trusted by: 93 members
About Me:
I was born, I grew up, and now I write at Epinions. :^)
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