[Allow blocked content to view webeo of earlier model]
So. Cal native Sherwood Akuna, a citizen of Lake Havasu City, AZ since 2000, filed his provisional patent #61100391 on the demonstrated akuna brass catcher (ABC), a snap on brass rat that catches brass as ejected. The first model is for all pistols with weaver type tactical laser light/mounts, i.e. Glocks, XD’s, MP’s, Sig’s, etc.
This gun accessory is for use on the range, keeping it clear of spent brass and helping prevent injury, i.e. being hit by or burns from flying brass.
ABC is also a reloader’s best friend because it prevents damage to spent cartridges. Reloader’s Rejoice.
Akuna is introducing the product from his workshop, streamlining the manufacturing process.
The first Akuna Brass Catcher is available on Ebay. This gun accessory fits on SW40VE and the SW9VE.
Attn Smith & Wesson SW40VE and SW9VE Owners!! New Akuna Brass Catcher Gun Accessory - A snap on brass rat that catches your brass as expelled from your pistol.
Yesterday without warning, ebay pulled the auction for the Akuna Brass Catcher, the ultimate brass rat that catches your brass as it is expelled.
EBAY says no pictures of guns. Not airsoft guns, real guns, nor drawings of guns. I guess they think if we don't see them on ebay we won't see them.
Here's their response after reconsidering.
We are redoing the ad without the demonstration to be able to offer the first ever for sale.
AKUNA BRASS CATCHER
"Dear Sherwood,
Thank you for writing eBay in regard to the removal of your brasscatcher listing.
Unfortunately, your listing was removed because it contained an image of a firearm in the listing.
Listings that contain an image of a firearm are not allowed on eBay even if the firearm is not the item for sale. This policy is part of our effort to maintain a safe trading environment and prevent the sale of firearms on eBay.
All fees associated with this listing have been refunded to your account. If your item otherwise complies with our firearms policy, we invite you to relist the item with a revised image that doesn't show a firearm.
I don't know why ebay killed the auction of Sherwood Akuna's invention, the Akuna Brass Catcher, but after having put up a legal auction for the first one for sale, starting bid only $50, without warning, the auction was killed. Plan B is in place to offer the Akuna Brass Catcher on the inventor's site, so they can't stop him, but it leaves an uneasy feeling why Akuna was ripped from ebay without breaking policy, engaging in illegal acts or any other prohibited activity.
Is there a double standard here? Based on results, the answer will reveal itself.
I write this post as the computer person who has worked for weeks to get the auction up and yes, I am angry. They have no idea how they are hurting people based on their unwritten policies.
Here's the text from the auction approval email they sent:
"Forwarded Message: Your eBay listing is confirmed: Att. SW40VE Owners!!! Catch Your Brass While You Shoot Your eBay listing is confirmed: Att. SW40VE Owners!!! Catch Your Brass While You Shoot Wednesday, October 15, 2008 6:14 PMFrom: "eBay" To: sherwoodakuna@yahoo.comeBay sent this message to Sherwood Akuna (havasuwood).Your registered name is included to show this message originated from eBay. Learn more"
In electronic, web based sales, pulling an ad off ebay that did not violate any rules is cruel and savage toward a new product, the equivalant of an attempted product lynching.
Secondary information in the information age is the new slavery. Low traffic equals low sales and ebay is one of the web's traffic kings. We had informed family, friends and associates that the ad went up on ebay last night. Lost a day of my life trying in vain to resolve the issue.
Here's the email ebay sent after they pulled the ad without warning.
If anyone has any idea why ebay would do this, please advise. I've written and they said I have to wait 3 days for any kind of response.
"eBay sent this message to Sherwood Akuna (havasuwood). Your registered name is included to show this message originated from eBay. Learn more. MC036 eBay Listing Removed: Firearms, Weapons, and Knives (244153529)
Dear havasuwood (private email address deleted),
You recently listed the following auction-style listing:
The was removed because it violated the eBay Firearms, Weapons, and Knives policy. We notified members who placed bids on the item that the listing has been canceled.
The sale of weapons is highly regulated by the government, and these items can harm the eBay Community. For these reasons, eBay restricts the sale of weapons to a very few types, and these sales can take place only under very specific conditions. The sale of firearms is *not* permitted on eBay. The prohibited items include: - Antiques - Collectibles - Hunting guns - Sport guns - Black powder or muzzle-loader guns - Items that can shoot a projectile such as a potato launcher, pneumatic spear gun, toy cannon, nail gun, or flare gun
For more information on the eBay policy, please visit:
[On the above page is written: "Permitted All other gun accessories, including, but not limited to, trigger guards, stocks, butt plates, pistol grips, holsters, storage cases, grips, cleaning supplies, cases, racks, slings, dies, molds and scopes. Listings for such items must clearly state the type of firearm for which the part or accessory is designed. If this information is not provided, the listing may be ended. " - Even though the Akuna Brass Catcher is a storage case for spent brass, the lynching continues.
"Please note: violation of this or other eBay policies may result in forfeit of eBay fees on cancelled listings, limits on account privileges and account suspension.
To review the eBay list of Prohibited, Questionable, and Infringing items, please visit:
http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/item_allowed.html
For more information on why eBay may remove a , please visit:
http://pages.ebay.com/help/tp/listing-ended.html
Your listing(s) may be eligible for relisting through My eBay. If your listing is eligible, you will see the listing in your Unsold Items page within My eBay. Listings that are not eligible for relisting will not be visible in the Unsold Items page. "
