Ebay faces up to $2 billion in fines over selling "rolling coal" devices

[bucolic_frolic]

12. I wonder what else on eBay isn't on the up and up

During the pandemic I posted about a man who owned a computer repair shop in NYC. He said he stopped buying used computers off the street because without exception every one proved to be hot, and licenses and inspections forced him to provide an accounting for tax purposes. Not that he was up to no good, but he said it just wasn't worth the hassle.

Now we have all these retailers closing stores due to theft. Where does that merchandise wind up? I'm suspicious when I see a totally new item that goes in Walmart for 180-200 and it's on eBay for $120. Not that I'm not tempted to buy the 120 item, but is it worth it? Will it be tracked and I have to go through the hassle of coughing up eBay receipts and logs? Is it worth it? Is the item warranteed?

eBay is moving toward bigger sellers with guaranteed items, and they do offer add-on guarantees for a fee, but how good are those?