Originally published May 5 2005
eBay users upset over mandatory licensing for all online auctioneers
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
As states begin mandating that eBay sellers be certified in order to sell their goods online, businesses that rely on eBay to generate sales are becoming frustrated. Instead of simply opening up virtual storefronts, they are now required to take classes that teach them about grades of cattle and what do to about loose chickens. Businesses that use eBay claim that the auctions are already controlled by the auction site and do not require sellers to become certified. However, some businesses do find that having a certificate actually gives them enhanced standing in the marketplace and allows them to sell more effectively.
When Debbie Gordon's auction school course turned to talk about grades of cattle, types of firearms and the pitfalls of loose chickens at an auction, she wondered what any of it had to do with her Green Hills eBay drop-off store.
That was because the state-mandated auction class was geared toward traditional auctioneering, the realm of fast talk, bid-calling and cowboy hats.
The class was a requirement of the Tennessee Auctioneering Commission, which in the past year or so has required stores like Gordon's, Snappy Auctions, to get auctioneering licenses.
Part of that requirement is a four-day course that teaches various aspects of the auction business.
The Tennessee requirement is one of the first in the country, but is part of an emerging regulation trend as states try to grapple with this latest form of online commerce.
They say pushing laws on the Internet auction industry that were intended to regulate traditional auctions is wrong and could hurt thousands of small business people who rely on eBay for their livelihoods.
She said attempts to regulate eBay --- the online auction industry leader --- have been made since its early days, but the latest efforts at regulation come as eBay's success is pervasive and well-publicized.
She also said some of the regulating pressure is coming from traditional pawn shop operators and auctioneers, who have been regulated by states for years.
But she said regulating the drop-off sites, which have sprung up to help meet the appetite for on-line selling, could hurt these small businesses.
" Legislators really have to educate themselves on, first of all, what are they trying to accomplish, " Steiner said.
Gordon, of Snappy Auctions, said she thinks ultimately the licensing process was good to go through, and some of the course work on state law and accounting principles were valuable.
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