>>> Leading auction site eBay has repeatedly cancelled auctions for the August 1977 edition of the porn magazine Oui. This issue contains the now-legendary interview with Arnold Schwarzenegger in which the bodybuilder talked about gang-bangs, penis size, "fags," etc. [Read it here]

Regular MemHole contributor Michael Ravnitzky heard that these auctions were being abruptly shut down, so he placed some bids. In short order, eBay slammed on the brakes, with no explanation. (The notification emails are below.)

Offering a copy of Oui is not against eBay's policies, which you can read here. In fact, eBay contains auctions for other issues of Oui (see them here), as well as Oui's parent magazine, Playboy. You can also bid on issues of the far more explicit Penthouse, Hustler, and even Juggs and Inches.

Yep, it's obvious that this issue--and only this particular issue--of Oui is verboten. But why? We've asked eBay to respond.

Hi Russ,

Thank you for writing to eBay with your concerns.

I have reviewed the webpage in question, and would like to address your
concerns regarding our policies. OUI magazine is, in fact, permitted on
eBay, but only if listed in the appropriate category. As this magazine
is adult in nature, it is not appropriate for our general areas;
magazines listed in these areas will be removed if brought to our
attention.

The ONLY adult magazines that can be listed in eBay's general areas are
Playboys, Playgirls and Penthouse magazines published before 1980; all
newer magazines, and all other adutl magazines, including other Playboy
publications such as OUI, must be put in eBay's Mature Audiences
categories. You can review our Mature Audiences policy at:

http://pages.ebay.com/help/community/png-mature.html

Please allow me to explain why you may see other listings which violate
eBay policy on our site from time to time. When a violation has been
committed we will take the appropriate action for that item. There will
be times when offenders will slip by because they have not been reported
to us. Please note that even if some sellers are currently in violation
of eBay guidelines this does not lessen the seriousness of the
violations for those sellers whose auctions have been reported to us.
However, since we do not actively monitor our site for questionable or
prohibited items, we rely on our members to report them to us. To report
such items to us, the following webform must be used:

http://pages.ebay.com/help/basics/select-RS.html

This is also why it is always best to base your listings upon eBay's
policies and not upon what you see other sellers doing.

Again, thank you for taking the time to write to eBay's Trust and Safety
department. I appreciate your continued help in keeping eBay a safe and
fair place to trade.

Regards,

Oscar Zatti
eBay Community Watch Team
______________________________

eBay
Your Personal Trading Community (tm)

*******************************************

Interesting. The listings for the Schwarzenegger Oui were in technical violation of eBay's policies. But eBay doesn't actively look for violations--they rely on users to report items that break the rules. That means that some people ran to eBay whenever the offending Oui was listed the in the general section. Yet these people were apparently unconcerned about the many other issues of Oui, Playboy, etc. in the general section, since those stayed listed. Apparently, then, this was not the doings of eBay but rather supporters/operatives of Schwarzenegger.

From: ended@ebay.com
Date: Sat, 04 Oct 2003 19:27:58 PDT
To: mikerav@mindspring.com
Subject: eBay Auction 3554116997 Cancelled - Results Null and Void

Dear michael j ravnitzky (mikerav@mindspring.com),

Please be aware that auction:

3554116997 - OUI -AUG-1977-ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER INTERVIEW

in which you were a bidding participant, has been ended early by eBay as it appears to offer an item or contains material which is prohibited for sale on eBay. Because the auction was ended early, you as a bidder are not required to complete the transaction.

If you would like to review our listing guidelines for a better understanding of our auction policies, they can be found at:
http://pages.ebay.com/help/community/png-list.html

Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have on our existing policies.

Regards,
Customer Support (Trust and Safety Department)
eBay Inc

From: ended@ebay.com
Date: Sun, 05 Oct 2003 11:39:18 PDT
To: mikerav@mindspring.com
Subject: eBay Listing 3556787302 Cancelled - Results Null and Void

Dear michael j ravnitzky (mikerav@mindspring.com),

Please be aware that auction:

3556787302 - Oui Magazine Arnold Schwarzenegger Interview

in which you were a bidding participant, has been ended early by eBay for violating one or more of our listing guidelines.

Because the auction was ended early, you as a bidder are not required to complete the transaction. Since this is a listing violation, the seller is free to relist the item in the proper format. Should you wish to do so, you are free to bid on the item again if it is relisted.

If you care to review our listing guidelines for a better understanding of our auction policies, they can be found at:
http://pages.ebay.com/help/community/png-list.html

Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have on our existing policies.

Regards,
Customer Support (Trust and Safety Department)
eBay Inc

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