posted on January 27, 2005 12:52:03 PM
I'm going to sell a medical device and need help on the category and any other advice you would like to give. Ebay says, "Sellers who wish to offer professional medical equipment and supplies for sale on eBay, may do so only in the > Business, Office & Industrial > Healthcare category." Since I'm not licensed etc to sell this stuff for medical use I think I'll get one of those notices from Ebay telling me to shape up or else....
Should I sell this in the Collectibles category under Science, Medicine. I always look up items by name and don't generally browse categories and think most people do the same. Also will Ebay flag my auction if I list under collectibles and describe it as a collectible.
Ya know, Ralphie calls them "medical devices" too --
"For too long, too many people dependent on Social Security have been cruelly frightened by individuals seeking political gain through demagoguery and outright falsehood, and this must stop.The future of Social Security is much too important to be used as a political football." ~ Ronald Reagan
posted on January 27, 2005 01:17:01 PM
I think it could be used as a medical device but I am selling it as a collectible. It actually appears to be brand new. I just wrote the description and noted that it was not intended to be used for medical purposes.
On the other hand after it goes to the buyer I have no idea how it will be used.
posted on January 27, 2005 01:59:29 PM
It is a laryngoscope. The item does not say it can't be sold. There are about 70 in the closed auctions. My point is however, that it is tough to sell in the business, industrial category. I once listed some stockinette used for dollmaking, which can also be used for medical purposes and was told to change categories by Ebay.
Ebay says: "Sellers who wish to offer professional medical equipment and supplies for sale on eBay, may do so only in the > Business, Office & Industrial > Healthcare category. By listing in this category, sellers certify that they will comply with all laws applicable to the sales of professional medical equipment. In addition, sellers in this category must include the following language in the item description: 1. The seller's complete business name, city and state, and type of business (i.e., hospital, medical office, manufacturer, distributor, broker, etc.); and 2. The following language: "The sale if this item may be subject to regulation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and state and local regulatory agencies. If so, do not bid on this item unless you are an authorized purchaser. If the item is subject to FDA regulation, I will verify your status as an authorized purchaser of this item before shipping of the item."
My theory is, don't sell it as professional medical equipment.
posted on January 27, 2005 02:23:19 PM
Be very careful selling medical devices. Ebay ended an auction of mine once for a neurostimulator because I didn't include all the correct wording. You also must have the manufacturer's original operating instructions and manual. There was a poster in this forum a few years ago that had an auction for a breast pump ended because she didn't have the paperwork for it. Your competitors in that category will report you in a heartbeat if you fail to dot an i or cross a t in the wording. I once sold an endoscope for over $1600.00, but I started the description with the statement that although it was originally intended to be a medical device, it was no longer suitable for that purpose unless it is sent back to the manufacturer for recertification. Instead, I offered it as a device for examining crankcases and the insides of engine cylinders as well as computer mainframes.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on January 27, 2005 02:47:58 PM
sparkz, doesn't the intended use of an item have a lot to do with the category in which it is sold? I've noticed several of these things listed under the antique category. When sold in the collectible category doesn't that insinuate that it isn't to be used as a medical device especially if there is a disclaimer on it. One could even say that it would be useful as a theater prop. I have seen people sell complete parachutes with the statement they were not intended for use, just as a military collectible or some such wording. I really like the way you handled the endoscope sale, and you got good results.
posted on January 27, 2005 02:59:02 PM
Absolutely, the category will help protect it from being pulled. Just make sure the word laryngoscope appears in the title and description. And make it very plain that it is not suitable for use as a medical instrument unless it it returned to the manufacturer and recertified. A lot of these instruments have a variety of uses outside the medical field. Besides, how often do you get an item that results in a bidding war between a diesel mechanic and a doctor?
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
