Baby buggy manufacturers slam the door on eBay

July 3, 2008

Following the €38million fine imposed on eBay earlier this week by the French courts in the LVMH case it’s not taken long for other manufacturers restrictions to hit the headlines.

Maclaren, Bugaboo and Mamas & Papas have all introduced measures to prevent new pushchairs being sold on eBay.

Maclaren cites safety concerns over imports which don’t meet UK safety standards and have introduced an internet sales policy that bans all eBay sales. Bugaboo refuse to supply sellers who sell their products on eBay and purchases from any unauthorised retailer invalidates their warranty. Mamas & Papas are writing to all of their retailers insisiting that from September they must have written approval prior to selling online. They also have a no-returns policy for retailers who sell through 3rd party websites.

If more companies join those already restricting trade on eBay then it will turn into a flea market for unbranded and second hand goods. That’s not what buyers want today and eBay need to offer buyers depth of inventory and a wide selection of products and that includes designer clothing, perfume and pushchairs.

Yesterday it was Louis Vuitton, today it’s baby buggies, tomorrow it may be your manufacturer that pulls the plug on eBay.

Written by Chris Dawson · Filed Under Featured, News | 34 Comments