Slashdot Mirror
States Planning to Require License to Sell on EBay
RobMowery writes "CNN reports that North Dakota and other state governments are trying to pass laws to require people who are selling for others on Ebay to purchase an auctioneer license, attend classes (for a fee) and become bonded." From the article: "North Dakota's Public Service Commission is exploring whether people like Nichols, who runs a small consignment store in Crosby, must obtain auctioneer licenses before they can legally use eBay to sell merchandise for others. Regulators in other states are also eyeing similar restrictions or preconditions, moves prompted by the growing popularity of online auctions. To get a North Dakota auctioneer's license, applicants must pay a $35 fee, obtain a $5,000 surety bond and undergo training at one of eight approved auction schools, where the curriculum includes talking really fast ... Commissioner Kevin Cramer said he does not believe the law applies to people who sell their own goods over eBay, but it could cover those who sell property consigned by others for a fee."
This only pertains to people who sell other people's goods online. The headline is misleading.
A blog like any other.
This is primarily a money grab. While additional protections from scams out there would be a good thing especially if a state law would help tip the balance on whether state or local law enforcement on the scamming end gets involved or not, the bad part of this is that it really is a money grab and power grab by the states and localities pushing for state involvement.
The couple hundred positive feedbacks with a three-nines or better positive to negative would be a good indicator of whether to trust a seller (or buyer) whether selling for himself or on consignment. All this will stop is the casual seller or buyer who either isn't tech savvy or won't sign up for ebay. As for protection against scams, paypal is a nightmare, even refusing to close their account unless you agree to their new terms first (even with no money in the account), and their attempts to get you to expire your credit card protections while waiting for their help is well-documented elsewhere.
What is really needed is federal protection against this auction license garbage, along with federal protection on selling/buying via ebay out of your home instead of at a commercial location, like the vast majority of ebay buyers/sellers do even though it is against local ordinances. Small businesses and casual sellers working their way up to small businesses need nurturing and help, not a raid by the local building department because UPS stops by 2 or 3 times a week and the local nosy neighbor with nothing better to do doesn't like it.
They'd have to be bonded - that's the protection.
Since I can't tell them apart, I treat all ACs as the same person.
For the record, Ayn Rand would be proud of your assessment of libertarians.
As for the question of whether the state will start regulating more than just consigners, you don't need to read a 1,000+ page book for the answer. You just need common sense.
"God deliver us from our friends, we can handle the enemy." -Patton