On the popular e-commerce website eBay, anyone can easily set up an account to sell any products they wish to. Amidst the pandemic, some sellers saw the opportunity to sell COVID at-home tests on the site to make a profit.
The sellers use the desperation of those who need tests, but unfortunately cannot get them due to shortages in some states. In one instance, a rapid test was listed on the site selling for a whopping $125.
The online marketplace says it has already removed or blocked over 85 million listings for violating eBay’s policies related to COVID-19 so far. However, there hasn’t been an end yet.
WJPS senior Jenny Kuo said, “I see why people would be reselling them on eBay, but it is unfair for the people who cannot get them for free to have to pay prices that are so high.”
WJPS senior Daniela Santamaria said, “In my opinion, it is unethical to sell the tests at such high prices. At least if they were cheaper, it most likely wouldn’t be too much of an issue.”
“eBay logo” by ebayink is marked with CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.