License Law For eBay Sellers

Okay, here's the deal. Starting May 2 in the state of Ohio, thanks to a law signed last month by Gov. Taft, sellers on eBay will be required to have an auctioneer's license. To obtain a license, an individual must complete a one-year apprenticeship under a licensed auctioneer, including 12 gigs as bid-caller, attend an approved auction school, passing a written and oral exam, and pay a license fee of $200. In addition, a $50,000 bond must be posted.

The penalty for failing to comply with the law by selling on eBay without a license is a $1,000 fine and up to 90 days in jail.

Now that the implications of the new law have become known throughout the state, many people are surprised and concerned, including the primary author of the legislation, State Sen. Larry Mumper. It appears there wasn't sufficient thought put into drafting the law and it is being viewed as a form of harassment toward the multitude of eBay traders. Sen. Mumper and other politicians, including Gov. Taft, are seeking to provide clarification for the law prior to its effective date. Consequently, we can now expect that a new piece of paper will be written and issued to explain the previous piece of paper that became law.

Of note is the fact that several other states have or are trying to come up with schemes to regulate Internet auctions and, so far, none have been successful.