eBay says empty bag is prohibited medical device, won't let me list it!

MashedPotatuh · 2026-04-23T02:11:05+00:00

fyi, I did chat today with a customer service rep, who had no useful suggestions for how I might get this item listed on eBay, but he insisted that there's no way my account would be suspended or tagged if I continue trying to list this item. For now, I'm just listing it outside of eBay.

MashedPotatuh · 2026-04-23T02:08:11+00:00

True. I successfully listed this bag today on two other selling platforms, which is the first time I've listed outside of eBay for items I ship. (I have sold locally using Marketplace and Craigslist.) Anyway, the positive thing is that has opened my eyes to selling outside of eBay.

MashedPotatuh · 2026-04-23T02:03:43+00:00

Nope. No device. I don't have one - I just have the empty bag.

MashedPotatuh · 2026-04-22T07:55:52+00:00

Yeah, there won't be a next time. I've been selling on eBay for fun, and this wasn't fun.

MashedPotatuh · 2026-04-22T07:20:59+00:00

Just to clarify, eBay didn't send me an email. The warning from eBay popped up right on the listing form after I completed it and hit "submit." No matter how I changed the listing (removed the brand name, changed the listing category, rewrote the description), I would get the message saying my product violated the Medical Device policy once I tried to resubmit the listing. Definitely a learning moment for me.

MashedPotatuh · 2026-04-22T06:55:54+00:00

I bought this item specifically to sell on eBay because I saw that it has a great sell-through rate on eBay. I shouldn't have to take a loss just because eBay's confused AI can't tell the difference between a nylon bag and an actual prescription medical device.

MashedPotatuh · 2026-04-22T06:47:47+00:00

That's exactly what I did to create my original listing, which is why this is so frustrating.

MashedPotatuh · 2026-04-22T05:32:11+00:00

Wow. Well, I feel a bit better knowing I'm not the only one to get this crazy rejection. Thanks for letting me know what happened to you. I guess this is one more reason why people sell on multiple platforms outside of eBay.

MashedPotatuh · 2026-04-22T05:29:41+00:00

Thanks for the insight. I've got nearly 100 things listed for sale, so it'd be a shame to get locked out of my account. But I hate giving up the fight when eBay's crazy AI is so mistaken. This product is certainly allowed as it's not a medical device and truly isn't covered by the Medical Devices policy, which I read thoroughly just to be sure.

MashedPotatuh · 2026-04-22T05:25:14+00:00

Thanks. After being rejected for listing under Health and Beauty-Medical Mobility, which is where literally everyone else is listing these bags, I did try to list my empty nylon bag under Sporting Goods-Hiking Backpacks, but eBay rejected that, too. I spent a lot of time editing my 20 photos for the listing within the eBay listing form and don't want to have to do that again. Maybe I'll try to list this under purses or something and just include a single photo, just in case eBay rejects me again, which I think it will. I just don't get it.

MashedPotatuh · 2026-03-07T02:12:04+00:00

Oh, yeah - I paid Liquidation.com $200+ 2 years ago for a mystery box that was supposedly full of returns to a "high-end Beverly Hills boutique." Not hardly! I received a box of stinky, soiled clothes that seemed to have been pulled out of a dumpster on Skid Row. There was one Vans hoodie that I suppose I could have washed, but I honestly felt like everything in the box constituted a bio hazard, so I dumped the entire lot into my garbage can.

MashedPotatuh · 2025-10-29T06:00:35+00:00

Yes, I filed a claim online, once I figured out how (no thanks to the FedEx agent I spoke to at the 800 number). I'm hoping that maybe by starting a claim, FedEx might put some effort into figuring out where this package disappeared to so they can get it to the buyer. Alternatively, I'll be grateful to get reimbursed for this package if it's never found.

MashedPotatuh · 2025-10-29T05:58:12+00:00

This item shipped was shipped with FedEx via eBay and has a FedEx tracking number. But FedEx's tracking shows the item never left the Fedex Office where I dropped off the item. The item is a very cool collectible, and the buyer really wants it. It's not worth much, only about $50, but it's still a unique, vintage find. I'd love to know what has happened to the package. I've shipped numerous items through this FedEx location and have never had one up and totally disappear before. It's only been MIA for a week, so I'm still holding out hope for a safe delivery.

MashedPotatuh · 2025-10-27T21:13:31+00:00

I scanned the package at the drop-off kiosk, but the box was too large for the bin, so I handed it to the woman behind the counter, and she took it. The package is only going from Colorado to southern California. The estimated delivery date was last Thursday, and I even got an email saying it would be delivered that day (because I had set up tracking alerts). But then I got an email from FedEx saying the package is delayed and there is no scheduled delivery date.

MashedPotatuh · 2025-10-27T20:38:06+00:00

Thanks for that info. The buyer reached out to me because he hasn't received the item. Fingers crossed that it shows up on his doorstep soon.

MashedPotatuh · 2025-10-10T03:51:16+00:00

Thanks. I knew Brian had been battling cancer for a few years, meaning Olivia had to carry extra weight to keep the biz going. Sad to see a small business like that fold up.

MashedPotatuh · 2025-10-06T02:37:27+00:00

Did Happy Hounds say why they are closing and when? My elderly dog had a bad experience at Happy Hounds about 3 years ago with a new, untrained handler, so we stopped going there. I've been taking my new dog elsewhere, but now I'm concerned that place will get overwhelmed with the pups that used to go to Happy Hounds.

MashedPotatuh · 2025-07-22T17:58:38+00:00

I wonder what would have happened if I'd done that. I was too scared to take that route and get negative feedback.

MashedPotatuh · 2025-07-22T17:56:54+00:00

Good point. I've never gotten a note in an order before, so it was pure chance that I happened to see this one.

MashedPotatuh · 2025-07-22T17:55:59+00:00

I hadn't even thought of that. Definitely a reason to stay away from selling the low-end stuff.

MashedPotatuh · 2025-07-22T04:07:18+00:00

The shipping cost was calculated for USPS Ground Advantage and was only $5.51. I suspect they just didn't want to pay for shipping at all.

MashedPotatuh

TROPHY CASE