>> 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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