Posted on 08/26/2006 10:22:51 PM PDT by jdm
A new policy by Internet trading behemoth eBay that bans homeschool teachers' texts from its auctions is prompting a tirade of complaints from the company's faithful customers.
"Really the homeschooling community is a huge participant in eBay when you get to thinking about it," said one customer who was identified as "Angelwings" on an eBay blog. "We buy textbooks naturally but we also purchase items like microscopes, slides, globes, maps, manipulatives, educational games, reading books, supplies for our classrooms … stickers, idea books, folders, sheet protectors, school supplies, software, educational movies, models, post cards … the list is enormous."
The policy, which is inclusive of all teachers' texts, was made known recently as those who were auctioning various books watched as their postings were deleted.
Another homeschooler on the blog said she questioned eBay when her listings were cancelled.
"They told me that it fell under their heading of 'illegal, dangerous, offensive, or potentially infringing,'" she said. "What are they thinking? I have a mess of curriculum here that I can't sell, and needing money from it to buy curriculum for the new school year."
The response from the company was posted for others to see.
"As you may know, eBay does not permit items that are illegal, dangerous, offensive, or potentially infringing. Additionally, eBay has just recently made the decision to prohibit the sale of Teacher's Editions of textbooks and solutions manuals that are intended solely for use by teachers. Since eBay strives to be a level-playing field, all Teacher's Edition textbooks, manuals and guides will be covered under this policy. Unfortunately, home schooling Teacher's Editions are not exempt from this policy and this policy will apply to all grade levels."
The company continued that those products often contain "special answer keys, exams, teaching tips, and guides."
And, it noted, "multiple organizations and publishers have voiced their concern to us over such books that may only be purchased through educational institutions by teachers."
"Where do they get off telling me that I don't have the right to buy, sell, or own a teacher's manual??? How could I teach my children without it???" another blogger asked.
Still another reported having a few 2006 teachers' edition textbooks for college classes pulled from the site.
"Now I'm stuck with them," the writer said.
"We are a major buying and selling force on eBay & once I got to thinking of all the things we purchase just for ourselves and our school it's amazing," said Angelwings. "I'm in the same boat as many of you….I've got three grade levels of books here I need to sell in order to purchase our supplies for next year."
WorldNetDaily did not get an immediate response from eBay about the situation. The website accepts e-mail questions but responds in 24-48 hours.
Its website explanation is straightforward.
"Teacher's editions of textbooks and solutions manuals that are intended solely for use by teachers are not permitted by eBay."
And it notifies users that "listing cancellation, forfeit of eBay fees on cancelled listings, limits on account privileges, account suspension" are all possible results.
"As a homeschooler I believe this directly discriminates against me since I have used Ebay numerous times to both buy and sell homeschool curricula. As a budget conscious homeschooling mother I like to buy used materials as often as possible. This means buying the teacher's materials used on Ebay and purchasing new workbooks directly from the publisher or distributor," Dana wrote.
eBay did offer a recourse for further concerns:
"We appreciate the fact that you may disagree with eBay's decision to establish this policy. If you would like to see these policies change, or have suggestions on how to make the site better, you may want to submit your feelings by completing the form at the following URL."
eBay's overview of prohibited items includes animals, artifacts, autographed items, academic software, bootleg recordings, credit cards, drugs and paraphernalia, government IDs, lockpicking devices, human remains, police-related items, used clothing and used cosmetics, among others.
One blogger noted that public school interests have been opposing homeschooling more and more, as homeschooling as grown substantially in recent years. Recent estimates have put homeschool attendance in the U.S. at more than 2.5 million. And the same comment noted book publishers also dislike having the products re-sold.
A public school teacher defended the policy, saying she cannot get a teacher's edition from a publisher unless she provides proof of her teaching employment. "It is quite costly for publishers to research and develop curricula and it is copyrighted."
But there also are other auctions that do allow the sale of homeschool texts. One location, which does require purchasers to be 18, is Schoolbookauction.com. Another one is Homeschoolbid.com and observers said there are many more available through an Internet search.
The Home School Legal Defense Association said it was aware of the situation.
"We have received many complaints about the eBay policy and we are actively working on a solution," Media Relations Director Ian Slatter told WND. That group is the largest organization of homeschoolers in the United States, with more than 80,000 member families.
You know who I'm talking about, too!
The few examples you have seen aren't representative of the entire homeschool community, and I would bet that most homeschoolers have a far better understanding of civics than most people, adult and child, alike.
As far as eBay goes, I agree with you that it is eBay's business what they sell.
Ebay has the right to sell what they want and I would certainly be happy to sell my books somewhere else if that were the case. The very things we love about our free enterprise system people are complaining about.
***A public school teacher defended the policy, saying she cannot get a teacher's edition from a publisher unless she provides proof of her teaching employment. "It is quite costly for publishers to research and develop curricula and it is copyrighted.***
***It is quite costly for publishers to research and develop curricula and it is copyrighted.***
What does copyright have to do with it? Used books are sold all the time on places like Amazon. And that includes books with a great deal of research. For that matter, my local library sells used books for $.75 for a paperback, and $1.50 for a hard cover.
More power to you, and I'm very happy to hear you have had no trouble.
I had a bad experience, it cost me a lot of money and so I will NEVER say a good thing about them.
"More power to you, and I'm very happy to hear you have had no trouble.
I had a bad experience, it cost me a lot of money and so I will NEVER say a good thing about them"
Well, then I can't blame you for feeling that way..sorry you got burned.
What's your gripe about homeschoolers?????
And before you get your panties in a wad about my question, I'm not a homeschoolers. My daughter starts 3rd grade in the local public school the day after Labor day.
If you disagree with someone, attack the specific statement where you disagree, not the person, nor the group as a whole.
Or stay off this thread.
Teachers Edition has now been replaced with 'Parental Edition'... That is the work around. I'm getting ready to list a bunch of home school books and that is the new solution.
FReepmail me if any of them are for 3rd or 4th grade.....
Both of you are misconstruing my statement. If eBay wants to enable the sale of those materials on their auction site, then they need a way to certify the bidders are qualified to purchase those materials. If not, then they can't allow the sale of those items.
eBay is a business and it must conform to rules for the sale of certain classes of goods.
The fact that eBay chooses to simply not allow the sale of teacher version text books means this is an opportunity for another business to facilitate the sale and transfer of such texts between people who are qualified for such transactions.
I was at Borders the other day, and I overheard a homeschool mother talking with one of the employees. The homeschool mother was buying some things for the new school year, but certain items were restricted, and she was waiting on a letter from the local school district in order to prove that she was a qualified purchaser.
This is a reality of the system, and if Borders has the same requirement, why shouldn't eBay? And if eBay can't ignore the regulations, then they shouldn't be impugned for deciding to cancel the offending auctions.
Why does eBay "need to" do that? Sounds to me like there's an unmet need and an opportunity for an entrepreneur to step in.
If eBay wants to serve that market, they'd need to meet the requirements regulating the teaching materials, in which case they'd need a system for certifying the bidders.
If eBay chooses not to, it is an opportunity for a third party - who will also need some way of certifying recipients.
I guess I don't really have a problem with this. There are some unscrupulous public school kids who like to pick up teacher's editions. Perhaps this will make it a bit more difficult for them.
Sounds like an opportunity for someone to MAKE SOME MONEY..
Providing said links, sources and providers to homeschoolers if not actual materials......
That is the crux of the problem. Kids "earning" a higher GPA without ever actually learning the material by virtue of turning in complete and 100% correct homework. A good teacher would suspect a serious problem if such a student crashed and burned when taking an exam on the same subject matter in the classroom.
I taught college electronics and microprocessor programming/design classes for 3 1/2 years before my full time job made it impossible to teach in the evenings. My students ranged in age from 15 to 67. Skill levels, experience and aptitude were likewise wide ranging. There wasn't a "teacher's" edition for my classroom text. Fortunately, I didn't need one.
Anyone bent on cheating can get the info via many other Internet resources so it doesn't further that stated goal. The only real impact is more people will end up spending more of their money homeschooling their children. Even though they pay heavy property taxes to educate other peoples children... Basically just another obstacle...
RARE authentic DeForest KELLEY Autographed 8x10 COA
WILLIAM SHATNER - CAPTAIN KIRK SIGNED AUTOGRAPH PHOTO
AUTHENTIC PHOTOGRAPHS STAR TREK 4 CAPTAINS AUTO PERSONALLY AUTOGRAPHED BY CAPTAINS WILLIAM SHATNER PATRICK STEWART AVERY BROOKS KATE MULGREW
Star Trek Original Cast Signed 10" x 8" Photograph P/P
Star Trek Voyager Duncan Robert McNeill Photo Signed
That doesn't even get half way through the first page of "Star Trek photographs" searched.
eBay's overview of prohibited items includes... used clothing
Up for auction is a very gently used Womens Plus size 18/20 stonewashed denim shirt.
THIS SKIRT IS LONG WITH A FLARED BOTTOM NO POCKETS GENDLY WORN
Item Specifics - Women's Clothing Clothing Type: Tops/Blouses/T-Shirts Color: -- Size: -- Fabric: -- Style: -- Garment Care: -- Condition: Used
I could go on all night, but I think you get the idea.
Not outrageous. It is totally consistent. They don't allow resale of govt. school or homeschool teachers answer books because they don't want the students getting their hands on them.
It makes "homework" too easy by looking up the answer.
Of course, a group of homeschool subversives could always take the texts used by govt. schools and publish "answer sheets" and put them on the web in order to bring down the public school system.
Not that I am advocating that.
Seems to me, this might be a fruitful opportunity for an enterprising, scorned homeschool teacher to set up an eBay copycat site that markets exclusively to those who wish to buy/sell that which eBay prohibits.
My thoughts exactly. I can even imagine a mass marketing e-mail sent out with the simple subject line "Screwed by eBay? Here's an alternative!"
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.