What *is* the law on selling cursed/haunted/magical/sacred stuff?

[SolidGoldVampireBat]

Do you just have to put a bit of small print somewhere on it saying 'For Entertainment Purposes Only' or 'Novelty Item'?
Because, after all, you can't prove that it is/isn't haunted or magic, can you?

I think it has to say "Only for the stupid" in the small print.
But I am not an expert, so could be wrong.

Er.....good question. I think you are probably right, if there IS such a law, then I would imagine you would have to proclaim it for novelty or decorative value only.

Probably more for the people who find that it ISN'T really cursed/magic/haunted when they think it should be rather than the other way around......

I like the cursed stuff on ebay. There's some very 'inventive' sellers out there.

I am good at 'inventive'. I think I might try this as a way of getting a few more pennies for assorted bits of old costume jewellery at least.

Of course, the other option is 'magic' items that have a Secret inside them, which you must never open...(woooo). Because, of course, the secret is a bit of paper on which I have written 'Hahahaha you gullible fuckwit!'

Is there a law required? You can't prove it's NOT haunted etc. The buyer may simply not be 'sensitive' enough to perceive the hauntiness or whatever. Caveat emptor, I say

Presumably there isn't a law because no such stuff actually exists. Except in the mind of the deluded purchaser.

Well this headcase seller seems to be doing all right...

YABU. Or YANBU.

What is it today with everyone posting non-AIBU stuff in AIBU?

And yes, I am the thread police. [baton]

No idea about American rules and consumer laws

but I would have thought only stupid people would buy that - so maybe they deserve it - what else would they spend their cash on ? Guns? Voting on the (american) X-Factor?

There is a legal disclaimer at the bottom of her page :)

You have to print a disclaimer pointing out that opening said product may result in possession, hobgoblin or poltergeist activity, burns, scalding, lights turning on/off etc.

Not that I have too much time on my hands but it's quite interesting seeing what some of her customers buy on eBay.

Follow up by nickyanne10 (29-Jul-11 10:24):
ufortunately neither spell has worked - don't know why :(

Maybe they're too scared to leave negative feedback in case she puts a hex on them

I've seen loads of weirdos people selling spells on Ebay. So random, and when I've checked their feedback people have commented;

"Oh it defo worked".

"Trying tonight as it's a full moon/I have a rat/have stolen a lock of hair".

Really odd, and they don't go cheap either.

You can't legislate against fuckwitted fools.

There will always be some.

They buy Take A Break and wear pineapples on their head. They're called Shirley and they live in Cleethorpes.

They also think they have a 'gift' of the second sight.

It'll just be Sale of Goods Act, I would have thought. The section relating to 'Sales of WooWoo Shit on T'internet', specifically.
Sellers would just have to be aware that they are bound by any definition they give, that (and having title) is pretty much all when it comes to private sales.

*description, not definition.

$55 for a bad doodle & some woo? Bargin.

Somebody talk me out of FBing the link to bonkers, v religious RE teacher colleague who thinks her portakabin is haunted. . I don't think she'd be all that amused...

I reckon you'd be okay with a cursed necklace. A supposedly consecrated wafer might lead to some issues perhaps.

Oh yes, the legal disclaimer does include 'for entertainment purposes only'.

Funny thing is I bet they don't apply the same rules to prayer books.

Well I've got some very nice parchment paper and some glitter. . But I will have to set up a new Ebay account so as not to fuck up the ratings on the current one (used for flogging old music papers/clothes/toys). And it's clearly not illegal to claim to have woo powers...

Anyway, it wasn't 'magical' stuff. It was magickal. Doesn't work without that 'k' you know.

BTW off-topic but a solid gold vampire bat wouldn't be able to fly - the concept has been mildly bugging me every time I see it. Visions of the poor beast launching and plummetting to earth. And its way after halloween.