Beware of our favorite auction site…

[DaleB]

Last week I bid on and won an auction for four Ropp cherrywood pipes. The seller was in the UK; I’m in the US. I received notice that the aeller was shipping via eBay’s global shipping service. So far so good.

Once they had the pipes, I got a notice that “The item in question has been deemed restricted.” No specifics as to why. They would neither ship it to me nor return it to the seller. I’ll get a full refund, but apparently the world will have four fewer nice Ropp pipes in it.

Draw your own conclusions from this. I’ve bought pipes from the UK before with no issues whatsoever, shipped via regular post. I won’t do so again.

 

[Knucklehead]

Last week I bid on and won an auction for four Ropp cherrywood pipes. The seller was in the UK; I’m in the US. I received notice that the aeller was shipping via eBay’s global shipping service. So far so good.

Once they had the pipes, I got a notice that “The item in question has been deemed restricted.” No specifics as to why. They would neither ship it to me nor return it to the seller. I’ll get a full refund, but apparently the world will have four fewer nice Ropp pipes in it.

Draw your own conclusions from this. I’ve bought pipes from the UK before with no issues whatsoever, shipped via regular post. I won’t do so again.

Perhaps something set off the drug sniffing dogs?

 

[DaleB]

If somebody’s been using one of those for “that”, they’re a lot more adventurous than I ever was…. Those are not small pipes. I suspect EB has some idiotic policy about pipes now.

I’m really bummed. I want to try a Ropp cherrywood, now I have to go hunting again. I scored that batch of four really cheap; I’d planned to clean up and restore all four and sell or give away at least a couple.

 

[deluxestogie]

The cost of new Ropp pipes has increased about 40% over the past couple of years. All of the new ones are briar.

Bob

 

[HillDweller]

shipping via eBay’s global shipping service.

I've heard this is a problem that happens a lot. Royal Mail is the better option.

 

[DaleB]

I've heard this is a problem that happens a lot. Royal Mail is the better option.

Royal Mail has never failed to deliver. Unfortunately nobody asked me about it…

Worst part is, I’d have been happy to pick it up in person; I’ll be there in a few months and would have waited until then.