Summary

The author, after attempting to sell various items including speakers, computer parts, and books on Gumtree and mentioning payment options in Bitcoin and Litecoin, faced the removal of their ads for a policy violation, leading to an investigation into Gumtree's stance on cryptocurrency transactions.

Abstract

While clearing out his loft, the author listed items for sale on multiple platforms, including Gumtree, offering cryptocurrency as a payment option. Shortly after, Gumtree removed the ads citing a policy violation, which prompted the author to seek clarification from the company. Despite Gumtree's vague communication, the author discovered that other users were selling similar items without issue, suggesting that the mention of cryptocurrency was the likely cause for the ad removals. The author contrasted this with Ebay's acceptance of cryptocurrency mentions and Facebook's ban on crypto advertising but not on crypto transactions. The article reflects on the inconsistencies among online marketplaces regarding cryptocurrency policies and the author's efforts to engage Gumtree for an official statement.

Opinions

The author is surprised and intrigued by Gumtree's removal of ads that mention cryptocurrency payment options, given that other platforms have different, more accepting policies.
The author views Ebay's policy of allowing cryptocurrency mentions but removing listings that offer 'cash on collection' as a push towards using Paypal, which is seen as a revenue-driven move.
There is a sense of frustration with Gumtree's customer service, as contacting the company was described as difficult, and their initial response was considered unsatisfactory.
The author is critical of the idea that consumers should be forced into specific payment methods, highlighting a preference for freedom of choice in how transactions are conducted.
The author's tone suggests a belief that Gumtree's policy on cryptocurrency is outdated or unreasonable, especially when compared to other platforms that have embraced or at least tolerated cryptocurrency transactions.

I Am The Gumtree Cryptocurrency Felon (I)

Having already upset Ebay and Facebook, it now seemed to be the turn of Gumtree. Here’s how I did it.

Yesterday, whilst clearing my loft ready for a conversion, I came across some bits and pieces that I needed to sell off to make space. Some old (but fantastic) speakers, some computer parts, golf clubs (I don’t play golf but had acquired some anyway), china, books etc, all the usual stuff we probably all have in our lofts — and that cupboard we never go near unless we’re forced to for fear it may explode on opening.

It’s a cathartic experience and we’ve been brutal in what we’re keeping and what we’re getting rid of.

As usual, we put the stuff for sale on a combination of Ebay, the local Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree. In every ad, as I have done so for some considerable time now, I put payment by Bitcoin and Litecoin as an option. Within a few minutes my ads on Gumtree were removed. The website stated that my ads were removed for a ‘violation of policy’ and they would email me. They did, but the email was vague and generic, so it didn’t actually tell me what the issue was.

Now, this wasn’t quite true was it, Gumtree team?

Intrigued, I followed the link in the email to the list of items ‘that are not allowed’ which consisted of all the usual suspects: porn, alcohol, fireworks, fakes, cigarettes, weapons and a couple of other minor items. Nothing about speakers though. A quick search revealed that people around the country were selling the same model. It wasn’t that then.

Contacting Gumtree, like any of these companies, isn’t easy because they like to hide the contact details as deeply as possible, but after some trawling, I found an email and got an auto response that faithfully promised a reply within 12 hours.

Exactly 23 hours later I received a reply from ‘James’ which read as follows:

Are you sure about that James? Do you want to check again?

I was rather surprised by this. Ebay — which is probably my least favourite sales platform ever, but because it’s pretty much a monopoly you have to play their game — allows mentions of cryptos and have done for ages, although interestingly they removed two of my listings just last month for mentioning ‘cash on collection’ which is apparently no longer allowed.

I presume this is because the want to make more money from you by forcing you to use Paypal, but it seems odd that Bitcoin and Litecoin, the two currencies I mostly use, are perfectly acceptable.

Facebook, meanwhile, has banned any and all advertising mentioning cryptocurrency in the wake of numerous ICO scandals, but have no objection to advertising posts taking payment by that method.

Amazon will or will not be accepting cryptos anytime soon depending on who you speak to, but their AWS division (Amazon Web Services) has quietly partnered with an altcoin known as Centrality last year, so we can be at least be certain they are not ‘anti’ it.

So, it just seems to be Gumtree. I’ve written to James and their press office to see if they’d like to make an official statement or even give me an interview, but no response as yet. When, and if, they ever do I’ll let you know.

In the meantime, I amended the ads to show ‘cash only’ on Gumtree and removed the ‘cash only’ element on the Ebay listings. This is getting complicated and I’m not sure that we consumers should be forced into one payment method over another just because the powers that be don’t like one (Bitcoin) or are in bed with another (Paypal).

And I did sell the items in the end. All for little pieces of folding paper which, apparently, people in shops — if you can still find any on the high street — will accept.

How quaint.

Update: After writing this piece, I heard back from Gumtree again adding a new, unexpected twist to the story, read the follow up article here.

I am the Gumtree Cryptocurrency Felon (Part 2)

But wait, there’s more! After publishing my initial blog, Gumtree came back with even more muppetry.

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