posted on March 4, 2005 06:42:34 AM
Sure sounds confusing. Could you imagine if every ebay seller had to have an auctioneer's license?? For some reason doing this -(ebay)- I never considered myself qualifying as an "auctioneer".
I never get to do the "ah...humm-na-humma-na-num-na.. going once! going twice!
posted on March 4, 2005 08:17:30 AM
Thanks for posting that article, Helen! I didn't even know about it at all. Thankfully, they are going to fix it which is something Ohio has never been good at. How can they be? Our governor was picked as the worst governor in the entire country!
Cheryl
"No drug, not even alcohol, causes the fundamental ills of society. If we're looking for the source of our troubles, we shouldn't test people for drugs, we should test them for stupidity, ignorance, greed and love of power." ~ P.J. O'Rourke
posted on March 4, 2005 08:21:44 AM
Helen, read the other article. What a load of crap! If you sell at fixed price, technically you aren't operating an auction. The states are simply trying to make up some of the federal money they aren't getting by getting it from us.
Cheryl
"No drug, not even alcohol, causes the fundamental ills of society. If we're looking for the source of our troubles, we shouldn't test people for drugs, we should test them for stupidity, ignorance, greed and love of power." ~ P.J. O'Rourke
posted on March 4, 2005 09:31:04 AM
Ebay is no auction house,just try half the crap these "bidders", "buyers" do on e bay in a REAL auction like NOT paying after the hammer falls and their azz is escorted right to the front door,,,And Don't come Back!
There is NO binding contract with sales.
This is simply advertising a product for sale to the person who has the intention or NON intentions of paying for it. At the highest price they are willing to offer...
JMHO......
And in Spite of what I've read e bay just keeps going and going and going ,,,
The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that the law, signed by Gov. Robert Taft on Feb. 1, was meant to insure that auctioneers were abiding by the established rules and regulations. The law, as written, requires Ohio residents who sell products online to get a state auction license.
Besides costing $200 and posting a $50,000 bond, the license requires a one-year apprenticeship to a licensed auctioneer, acting as a bid-caller in 12 auctions, attending an approved auction school, passing a written and oral exam. Failure to get a license could result in the seller being fined up to $1,000 and jailed for a maximum of 90 days.
....and now, Illinois will require Trading Assistants to have a license.
Your quote of: "No drug, not even alcohol, causes the fundamental ills of society. If we're looking for the source of our troubles, we shouldn't test people for drugs, we should test them for stupidity, ignorance, greed and love of power." ~ P.J. O'Rourke
This about covers this "law" for sellers on eBay by various states.
IF eBay and other auction site sellers would rise up in a state considering such a law; with the horrendous membership, eBay has, then perhaps some of this stupidity would stop.
LOOKING ON THE GREED SIDE, it sure would eliminate much of the seller base and competition on eBay. My husband and I both went to auctioneer school, and have 3 or 4 friends who are long time professional auctioneers, so I do not think I would have a problem in doing an apprenticeship, and obtaining a license although I think it would be a major pain in the derrière.
There are not enough licensed auctioneers in the US, to take on the number of auction apprentices, which such a law would require – and with an eye to the future, I can readily see those who already have an auctioneer’s license would start charging outrageous fees for anyone to be their apprentice.
I should think, that it is not just the states wanting to “regulate” on line sellers, and gain money, BUT, all of the licensed auctioneers in a given state like Ohio, whose business has been devastated by the intrusion of eBay and on line selling.
When I began selling on eBay 9 years ago, we were still going to local auctions, and the comments regarding selling on line back then, were that selling on the internet was a joke, a fluke, and it would pass. BUT, on line auctions have not passed, and many of our local (general merchandize) auctions have simply had to close for lack of sellers and merchandize. The rest are basically attended by the elderly who simply go to visit, be entertained, and seldom bid. The elderly or some of the young who are on fixed incomes, and computer illiterate.
I should think eBay or a conglomerate of sellers will challenge the law, since the buyer is NOT forced to purchase - (i.e.) no binding contract.
Although, I have been to many large live auctions and seen buyers obviously change their minds, and walk out of the auction without their item or paying.
Personally, I foresee some major lawsuit intervening and hanging such laws up in court for years.
Just my opinion.
~"It does not matter what I think, it does not matter what you think. The only thing which matters is: What is the TRUTH!"~
posted on March 7, 2005 09:01:19 AM
Went to a auto towing impound lot auction few years back. They took $100.00 deposit and your drivers license. Issued a bidding number. There was non of this walk out the door...
posted on March 7, 2005 09:56:10 AM
Per the author of the Ohio Bill, Sen Larry Mumper:
"It certainly will not apply to the casual seller on eBay, but might apply to anyone who sells a lot," he said. "If someone buys and sells on eBay on a regular basis as a type of business, then there is a need for regulation."
Thanks, Larry. For too long businesses have lacked sufficient governance and regulation.
Of course, lets not leave out the "someones" who buy and sell a little on an irregular basis...they too, need to reigned in lest they grow into "someones" who buy and sell a lot.
Then after we take care of those guys, we can go after those "anyones" who are just thinking about buying or selling a lot.
Best,
Michael
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Internet Talk Radio
Everything eBay...and More. E-Auction-Air
posted on March 7, 2005 01:43:43 PM"It certainly will not apply to the casual seller on eBay, but might apply to anyone who sells a lot," he said. "If someone buys and sells on eBay on a regular basis as a type of business, then there is a need for regulation."
If they've backed off, it's not in a meaningful way, because apparently they still intend to go after small businesses on eBay.
