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Articles: Online Business - Things You
Can't Sell on eBay
By Sydney
Johnston
Millions of would-be entrepreneurs want to sell things on
ebay. eBay is the #1 home-business opportunity in the world right
now, so it's natural that many are eager to find highly profitable
items for re-sale on eBay. However, it's important to know that
there are certain items that can't be sold. Here are a dozen of them
...
Some items are copyright
infringement and can actually land a seller in federal prison:
1. Knock offs of music, TV
shows or movies. The "bootleg" movies, for example, are often made
by guys who sneak a movie camera into a newly-released movie where
presumably, they crouch behind a seat and make a crummy copy. There
is a large production of these counterfeit items in Asia where US
laws have no power.
2. Software and computer
games can likewise be copied and their sale is illegal by all US
laws. Naturally, the items above may be sold if you have a copy that
you purchased legitimately and no longer want.
3, The so-called "replica"
market for handbags, designer sunglasses and clothing is definitely
forbidden although these items are often sold in physical stores
around the US. Ironically, when attending eBay Live In New Orleans
in 2004, we found a store in one of their famous markets selling
replica purses that were not allowed on eBay.
4. Lazy and
less-than-honest sellers often steal copyrighted material from other
sellers. This has happened to me many times and eBay has a program
called VERO (Verified Rights Owner) that will remove offending
auctions, although there seems to be no penalty attached to the
seller, which is unfortunate.
5. Alcoholic beverage sales
are not allowed although a beverage "container', especially those of
wine, may be sold for its value.
6. Cigarettes, cigars,
smokeless tobacco or coupons for such items are not permitted on
eBay.com.
The Ebay rules for
collectible tobacco and alcohol containers are the same:
* The value of the item is
in the collectible packaging, not in the wine/tobacco itself. *
The listing description should state that the package has not been
opened, but that the twine/tobacco within is not for consumption.
* The collectible tobacco packaging must not be available at any
retail outlet, and packaging must have a value that substantially
exceeds the current retail price of that wine/tobacco product in the
package. * Sellers must take steps to ensure that the buyer of
these collectibles is at least 18 years of age
7. Firearms are strictly
regulated by US law and may not be sold on eBay.
8. Satellite and cable TV
descramblers are forbidden by the Federal Trade
Commission.
9. Animals and wildlife
products may not be sold, which includes stuffed birds and pelts
from endangered species. There are limited sales of ivory, tortoise
shell, marine products and other items relating to animals. This
area is quite complex and any would-be seller needs to thoroughly
understand the various laws before getting involved in these sales.
10. Event tickets have
state-by-state laws that make their sale complex. Some states, for
instance, forbid anyone to make more than a few dollars in profit
(or no profit at all) on the resale of tickets. For instance,
Florida law states that tickets can be resold at no more than face
value plus $1. In such states, these regulations apply only to
buyers and sellers located in the same state as the actual event,
meaning if a seller lives in Florida, he can't profit from ticket
sales to Florida events. However, if he lives in any of the other 39
states, this restriction doesn't apply.
11. Listing a catalog of
items that a seller offers for sale is forbidden. The only catalogs
legally sold on eBay are collectible kinds, such as an old Sears
Roebuck or Montgomery Wards catalog that is memorabilia and doesn't
offer current merchandise for sale.
12. Raffles and prizes are
100% prohibited. According to eBay, such promotions are highly
regulated and may be unlawful in many states.
There are other kinds of
merchandise that a seller may not sell on eBay, so carefully check
eBay rules before listing anything. It's much better to know the
rules in advance of spending money that can't be
recouped.
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with 16 hours of online instruction taught by a 10 year eBay
veteran. Own an eBay business instead of an eBay hobby. http://www.auction-genius-course.com
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