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