EstateSales.NET is a unique site. The items listed are often listed by an estate sale company that has been tasked with selling all the items of an estate. We help estate sale companies save millions of items from going to the landfill every year. We also help with the preservation of history. Some of the best estate sales are those of a collector who loved collecting a certain type of item or from a certain era of time (for example: mid century modern furniture or memorabilia from the 50s).
We are not a curated site though. In other words, we do not pick and choose (or even see beforehand) the items that get listed. That being said, there are items that are either illegal to sell or are specifically not allowed on our site. This page is our attempt at providing guidelines on what can and can't be listed on EstateSales.NET.
Selling restrictions on the EstateSales.NET Marketplace are influenced by policies held by our payment processors, Square and Stripe.
Adult Items (pornography) and Nudity
While our site is for those over the age of 18, we still try to keep it family-friendly. Pornographic items may not be sold, purchased, or pictured on EstateSales.NET. They may be listed in the sale description if the items are for sale on location. Items with real or very realistic nudity should have nudity blurred or blocked out with the exception of art. Art with nudity presented tastefully (does not display sexual acts) is permitted.
Alcohol, Drugs, and Tobacco
- Alcohol may not be sold or purchased directly on EstateSales.NET. It may be pictured or listed in the sale description if the seller is properly licensed to sell it on location.
- Collectible bottles or containers may be sold or purchased directly on EstateSales.NET (as long as they are empty before being sold).
- Drugs and drug paraphernalia may not be sold, purchased, pictured, or listed on EstateSales.NET. This applies to illegal drugs, marijuana, controlled substances, and items used to make or consume controlled substances.
- Tobacco and e-cigarette products may not be sold, purchased, pictured, or listed on EstateSales.NET. Examples include cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, vape devices, etc. Tobacco smoking items such as hookahs, pipes and bongs without tobacco in them are permitted to be sold, purchased, pictured and listed.
Animals and Items with Animal Products
There are many restrictions around selling items that are related to animals. Here is a list of specifics related to the purchase of animal parts or items that include animal parts on EstateSales.NET (this should not be considered a complete list):
- Live animals may not be sold, purchased, or listed for sale.
- Items made from animals that are endangered or listed as protected by the US Fish and Wildlife Service may not be sold, purchased, pictured, or listed. Link: https://www.fws.gov/le/businesses.html (if the item can be legally sold, the animal species must be stated in the description)
- Items made from animals that are on Appendix 1 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) list may not be sold, purchased, pictured, or listed. Link: https://www.cites.org/eng/app/appendices.php (if the item can be legally sold, the animal species must be stated in the description)
- Ivory may not be sold, purchased, or pictured on EstateSales.NET. If a seller believes the ivory in question is legal to sell and it will be sold on location, it may be listed in the sale description as long as there is an explanation for its legality.
- Most feathers are not allowed to be sold, purchased, pictured, or listed because of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. If an item includes feathers, the species should be disclosed. https://www.fws.gov/birds/policies-and-regulations/laws-legislations/migratory-bird-treaty-act.php
Counterfeit Items
Counterfeit items (including money) should not be sold, purchased, pictured, or listed on EstateSales.NET. Examples would include:
- Counterfeit money
- Items that would be considered "knock-offs" or replicas where the copied brand's logo or insignia is used but they were not manufactured by that brand.
- Unauthorized copies of movies or television shows
Firearms and Destructive Items
- Bombs and Explosives may not be sold, purchased, pictured, or listed on EstateSales.NET.
- Guns that are legal to sell may be listed for purchase as long as the seller has their Federal Firearms License (FFL) or is able to legally transfer the gun.
- Guns may not be listed on EstateSales.NET for an online purchase directly on EstateSales.NET (for example on the EstateSales.NET Marketplace). This is because of current online payment processor rules we must abide by.
Illegal Items
Items that are illegal to sell should not be sold, purchased, pictured, or listed on EstateSales.NET. There are many federal, state, and local laws and regulations on what can and can't be sold. It is both the responsibility of the seller and the buyer to follow the laws and regulations of their government.
Intangible Items
Intangible items may not be sold, purchased, pictured, or listed on EstateSales.NET. This includes items such as gift cards, coupons, prepaid cards, services, and cryptocurrency.
Legal Limitations
With the exception of items mentioned specifically in this document:
- Items that require an age verification to sell are not allowed to be sold or purchased directly on EstateSales.NET
- Items that require a background check are not allowed to be sold or purchased directly on EstateSales.NET
- Items that require a medical prescription are not allowed to be sold or purchased directly on EstateSales.NET
Medications and Medical Devices
Medications or medical devices that require a prescription may not be sold, purchased, pictured, or listed on EstateSales.NET.
Offensive Items
We recognize that in some cases there are legitimate reasons for preserving antique items that represent historic injustices or antiquated social norms. Where transparent information about historical context is provided, such items can play a valuable role in fostering greater understanding of our complex cultural history.
Items that glorify or otherwise capitalize on human tragedy with no regard or sensitivity to the suffering caused by such events are strictly prohibited. Items that promote or commemorate non-governmental hate groups (i.e. KKK, Aryan Brotherhood, Neo-Nazi groups, etc.), items merchandising an act of violence against an individual (human or animal), items marketing intolerance toward religion, sexual orientation, race, or ethnic background are also not tolerated and will be flagged for removal.
Descriptions of authentic/period artifacts that belonged to members of hate groups or are emblazoned with those groups’ insignias or are artifacts of historical atrocities may not glorify those groups or events, or any intolerant views of those groups. Titles and descriptions may not use racial slurs.
Reproductions of authentic/period artifacts from historical atrocities or that belonged to members of hate groups or that are emblazoned with those groups' insignias, are prohibited.
Note: We understand certain items in question may feature social, artistic, historical, or political value. If you feel that your item(s) fall outside of the above restrictions please contact the Support team prior to listing for approval. For faster approval, ensure the item description addresses its social, artistic, historical, or political value.
Recalled Items
If an item has been recalled by its manufacturer or a government body, it should not be sold or purchased on EstateSales.NET. Examples would include certain lawn darts, drop-side baby cribs, hope chests, etc.
Specific to our Online Marketplace
Some items may not be listed on our EstateSales.NET Marketplace because of restrictions by the companies we use to process online payments. We currently use Stripe and Square to process payments. Items on Stripe's restricted items policy and on Square's restricted items policy may not be listed on the EstateSales.NET Marketplace if accepting online payment.
How To Report
If you believe something violates one of the above-restricted items or it is unlawful to sell, please click the "Report This Item" link while on the sale, picture, or item page. Alternatively (or if the "Report This Item" link is not available), an email may be sent to support@EstateSales.NET with a link to the item page and the concern.
What Happens When This Policy is Violated
When EstateSales.NET is made aware of potential policy violations, there are different actions that can take place. Some possible actions are the following: the item being removed from the sale listing, the sale being removed completely, or the seller's account being suspended or cancelled. Seller refunds or credits are not guaranteed to be issued if an item or sale is removed because of a policy violation.