12 Items You CAN’t Sell On eBay

12 Items You CAN’t Sell On eBay

by: Sydney Johnston

Millions of wouldbe entrepreneurs want to sell things on ebay. eBay is the #1 homebusiness opportunity in the world right now, so itกs natural that many are eager to find highly profitable items for resale on eBay. However, itกs 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 กbootlegก movies, for example, are often made by guys who sneak a movie camera into a newlyreleased 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 socalled ‘replicaก 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 lessthanhonest 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 กcontainerก, 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 wouldbe seller needs to thoroughly understand the various laws before getting involved in these sales.

10. Event tickets have statebystate 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. Itกs much better to know the rules in advance of spending money that can’t be recouped.

About The Author

Sydney Johnston

Learn how to sell on eBay with 16 hours of online instruction taught by a 10 year eBay veteran. Own an eBay business instead of an eBay hobby.

http://www.auctiongeniuscourse.com

This article was posted on September 11

by Sydney Johnston

How Secure Is Your Security Deposit?

How Secure Is Your Security Deposit?

by: Dan The Roommate Man

During the exhausting process of moving into a new apartment, the last thing on your mind is movingout day. But since your landlord is probably holding a sizable chunk of your money in the form of a security deposit, itกs awfully risky not to prepare for the end of your tenancy right from the beginning. So before you start unpacking dishes and hanging prints on the walls, take a few simple steps to avoid the misunderstandings and disagreements that have made disputes over security deposits legendary.

Looking Under the Hood

Giving your unit a thorough inspection when you first move in is essential. (Better yet, do it before you sign the lease!) Don’t neglect to check out things that might not be readily apparent, such as water pressure and sink drainage in the kitchen and bathrooms, or operation of appliances. Itกs best to inspect the premises before you move in; it will be easier to spot problems while the place is bare.

Make a detailed inventory of what you find. The best way to do this is with a good checklist. The more you record about the unit when you move in, the better position youกll be in when moving out to show that certain problems already existed before you moved into the unit. In some states (see list), landlords are required to give new tenants a written statement on the condition of the unit at movein time, including a comprehensive list of existing damage. In other states, many landlords provide a checklist to new tenants, but some do not. You can always draft one yourself.

Ideally, you and your landlord should fill out the checklist together to prevent any disputes or disagreements. Otherwise, itกs smart to bring along a roommate or a friend so that thereกs at least one other witness to the condition of the unit at movein time. If you spot problems, describe specifically what is wrong. Rather than simply noting กdamage to carpet,ก for example, state กcigarette burns, frayed edges in carpet next to picture window.ก The more detailed you are, the clearer it is that you’re not responsible for those damages. You and your landlord should both sign the checklist after completing it. Make a copy so that each of you has one.

At the end of your tenancy, youกll make another inspection of the same items, noting their condition at moveout time. If items that were okay at movein are now damaged, your landlord may hold you responsible for fixing them. But youกll be protected from being billed for damage that existed before you ever moved in.

States where landlord must provide movein statement:

Arizona

Georgia

Hawaii

Kentucky

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Montana

North Dakota

Washington

Wisconsin

A Picture Is Worth…

Besides completing a checklist, you may also want to document the condition of your unit with photographs or video. If you take photos, have doubles of them developed immediately, write the date they were taken on the backs and send your landlord a set as soon as you get them back. That way your landlord won’t be able to claim that they were taken later than they actually were. If you can, use a camera that automatically datestamps each photo. If you videotape the premises, clearly state the date and time while you are taping, make a copy and send it to your landlord right away. Repeat this process when moving out.

Getting Your Deposit Back

If youกve taken all the measures described above, youกll be wellprotected when you move out. Still, until you get back your money thereกs always room for disagreement. Thankfully, most states hold landlords to strict guidelines as to when and how to return security deposits. Landlords who violate these laws can be held to stiff penalties.

Landlords are typically required to return security deposits from 14 to 30 days after you move out. The landlord must send to your last known address either:

Your entire deposit (plus interest, in some states) or

A written, itemized statement describing how the deposit was applied to back rent, cleaning or repairs, plus the remainder of the deposit.

The general rule is that you are not responsible for normal wear and tear. If you cause damage by your unreasonable carelessness or deliberate misuse, however, you must pay for it. And you must leave a rental at least as clean as it was when you moved in. For example, if an entryway carpet must be replaced because it has simply worn out, thatกs the landlordกs responsibility. But the cost of replacing the dining room carpet because your fish tank sprang a leak will properly come out of the deposit.

Because กnormal wear and tearก can be interpreted many different ways, disputes often arise. The bottom line is that the better you itemize and document the condition of your unit when you move in, the better case youกll have against a landlord who tries to gouge you on the way out.

About The Author

Since 1989 Dan The Roommate Man has helped 1000กs of people find roommates. Need help? Contact him at 8004878050 or www.roommateexpress.com

[email protected]

This article was posted on February 09

by Dan The Roommate Man