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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."
I think this is a good idea. These individuals are running an auctioning business by taking peoples items for consignment. As long as it does not spread to those just selling their own private goods, this seems like an incredibly good idea.
It provides protections to the people who give their goods over for sale, as well as provides a link to the individual that is selling, and a person can prove that they are a bonded seller as well.
Obviously the classes would have to change slightly for internet retailers, mentioning talking fast is sort of moot if this were to go ahead.
If you don't vote, you don't matter, so don't waste your time telling me your opinion
Wouldn't this law be regulating interstate commerce and thus unconstitutional?
No, it's not regulating interstate commerce. The law is regulating in-state businesses. Keep in mind, this is for people who operate business selling OTHER PEOPLE'S things on consignment. This isn't for people operating a business selling stuff they've bought from wholesalers on e-bay or even individuals selling their stuff on e-bay.
In fact, it's not a particularly onerous thing to ask. Having recently had to get insured to operate my own business as a consultant (a requirement of the company I work for). Getting bonded and licensed isn't very costly. And in the end, the idea is to protect the consumer which isn't a bad thing.