eBay Starts Buyback Of Historical Items

The sale of stolen historical items online has been a problem since sites like eBay began. eBay is not liable for stolen items being sold on its site, after all, how could they possibly have a way to find out what is legitimate and what is stolen? However, in a gesture of responsibility and goodwill, they have volunteered to buy back the stolen items from the winning bidders.

This goodwill move couldn't have come at a better time for the company. eBay is currently under fire from long term users for changes in its fee structure and feedback policies. These changes have angered many sellers, who find the proposed new practices prohibitive to good business (some have even started a boycott movement against the online auction giant).

New York officials say that many buyers were completely unaware they were buying stolen goods. eBay is offering the buyback with a no questions asked policy for buyers. In the buyback, eBay plans to pay the buyers back what they paid for the items in question, then return the items to the archives in New York.

The first of the items stolen from the New York archives was sold on eBay in or around 2001. The New York Attorney General says that over 200 items went up for auction in total. The estimated cost to eBay for the buyback program is expected to exceed $68,000 USD.

eBay's offer will save the New York Attorney General's office from having to pay out of their coffers. If the Attorney General can bring the case to trial, a judge could order restitution for eBay, but there is no guarantee of that happening. Former New York archive and record management specialist with the Department of Eduction Daniel Lorello has been charged with the theft and sale of the items.

The state was originally contacted by a history lover, Joseph Romito, Virginia attorney. He had seen the items for sale, specifically a letter stated to be by former Vice President John Calhoun. Since he knew that particular letter was supposed to be in New York's archives, he contacted the Attorney General's office in New York, which got the ball rolling on the investigation.

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