  |
|
|
View previous topic
::
View next topic
|
| Author |
Message |
Can
Guest
|
Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2003 9:01 pm
Post subject: Auction selling - is it legal?
|
 |
|
Hi,
I just find this forum and would like to know if any of you could answer my question.
I've seen ppl buying brand name items from department store (at discounted price) and then resell them on ebay. I would like to know if it is legal to do that. I mean if it is just once or twice a month could be fine. But if I want to do it and sell a lot of items constantly everyday. Is it OK, especially if it is brand name items.
Thank you!
Can |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Guest
|
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2003 12:45 am
Post subject:
|
|
|
| Are you in the US? If so, there's no problem. If a store sells you an item, you're free to do what you want with that item. You can give it away, throw it off a bridge, or sell it on eBay. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Guest
|
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2003 6:38 am
Post subject:
|
|
|
| uh, why wouldn't it be legal? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Can
Guest
|
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2003 8:08 am
Post subject:
|
|
|
Hello,
Thank you for your response. I appreciated it.
I am in US. It must sound like a foolish question.  But I just wonder if there is any concern of reselling LOTS of brand name items (such as Tiffany/Louis Vuitton) if I am not an authorized retailer. Is it illegal?
thank you.
Can |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Guest
|
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2003 1:07 pm
Post subject:
|
|
|
| If you're buying it fair and square, there's no problem. If you're buying stolen goods or something, there'd be a problem. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Bobby
Joined:
12 Jul 2003
Posts:
764
|
Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2003 6:41 pm
Post subject:
|
|
|
| Can wrote: | | But I just wonder if there is any concern of reselling LOTS of brand name items (such as Tiffany/Louis Vuitton) if I am not an authorized retailer. |
Yes there is a concern, but maybe not the one you're considering. The concern should be whether or not it's practical.
Suppose you walk in & buy something for $100. You would need to sell it for at least $105 to make it worth your while to take a photo and put together the eBay listing, pay the eBay fees, etc.
Then suppose shipping is $5. That brings the cost to the buyer up to $110 in order for you to make a minimal profit. How many people are going to do that when they could just go to the retailer and get it for $100 while having the peace of mind the retailer will be there for a return if it doesn't fit or is defective?
Unless an item is rare or otherwise unique, the demand on eBay tends to drive prices down. People will expect to purchase the $100 retail item for less than $100, not more.
Finally, if you buy at retail and attempt to re-sell, you'll be competing against people who have bought at wholesale prices and can sell it at a profit for less than it cost you at retail, even if you bought it during a "discount" sale.
Bobby |
|
| Back to top |
  |
|
Guest
|
Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2003 10:33 pm
Post subject:
|
|
|
Bobby is right, of course. But only in a market where there is ample supply and everybody has access to the shops selling the items.
If either supply or access is limited, though, there's an opportunity for profit. Maybe you live near the only shop in the country selling those items, and they don't do web or mail-order sales. Or everybody wants the items, but nobody knows who makes them or where to buy them. Or maybe every store in the country has sold out of the item, but your local store still has plenty of stock.
The other possibility is that you can get the items cheaper than usual for some reason. You might be lucky enough to buy up a whole table of those $100 items at a clearance sale, for $40 each. Then you can sell them on eBay for much less than retail, and still make plenty of profit. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
robertb
Joined:
09 Aug 2003
Posts:
1837
Location:
Columbus, OH
|
Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2003 3:44 am
Post subject:
|
|
|
Get a vendors license, help you to get things somewhat cheaper. Mine only cost me $25 and I've already made more than enough to cover that.
_________________
Robert
Instant Site Comments - Allow Visitors to Comment On Your Content!
EbookNiches.com - 4 PLR Ebook Packages Each Month
Learn About DropShipping |
|
| Back to top |
 |
|
brad
Joined:
04 Dec 2003
Posts:
14
Location:
Canada
|
Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2003 7:55 am
Post subject:
|
|
|
| Can wrote: |
I am in US. It must sound like a foolish question. But I just wonder if there is any concern of reselling LOTS of brand name items (such as Tiffany/Louis Vuitton) if I am not an authorized retailer. Is it illegal? |
I think you may be concerned about the "authorized retailer" point more than anything, please correct me if I'm wrong. I have a fair bit of experience managing products for retail (online) sales and dealing with suppliers that "authorize" others to sell their products. There is nothing illegal about selling products that a manufacturer or distributor has not authorized you to sell, but there may be consequences.
For example, if you are not an authorized reseller for an item and your customer has a problem with it (defective item needs repair) they may have trouble with the manufacturers warranty not having purchased it from an authorized retailer - although in my experience this is more of a scare tactic from the manufacturer than anything, many will honor their warranty regardless of where the product was purchased.
Another point to consider is that if you want to be an authorized retailer for any of these products in the future, you probably don't want to annoy the manufacturer by selling them unauthorized, but of course you would have to be selling HUGE volumes of a product that you have sourced through a distributor that doesn't care if you are authorized or not to even hit the manufacturers radar - not a likely scenario that I would be concerned about.
An example of a manufacturer that is very picky about who they authorize to resell their products is Sony, there are very few (and I mean VERY few) resellers that are "authorized" to sell their products online as "authorized resellers", but do a quick search at ebay (or Google) for any Sony product you can think of and you will find a lot of people selling them that are not authorized resellers, theres nothing illegal about this, Sony probably doesn't like it, but there is not a lot they can do about it either.
So, "Can", sell whatever product you want (assuming it's not illegal itself or stolen) and good luck.
Brad |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Charlie
Joined:
22 Aug 2003
Posts:
3305
Location:
UK
|
Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2003 11:31 am
Post subject:
|
|
|
Hello everyone.
I must admit, the auctions are more a curiosity for me, than anything...
I realise some people make good money, but you get grouped with some seriously "unprofessional" types. (To a lesser extent, this is even a problem with Clickbank, sometimes, due to the low barrier to entry.)
The auctions share one problem with affiliate programs, in that they attract "black economy operatives", like nothing else. I bet the tax man just loves them.
The point I'm making, is that you need to think about guilt by association, if you have aspirations towards any kind of brand...
If you opened a small shop, surely you'd think carefully about where you sited it. Even if property were cheap (and there was lots of passing traffic), I very much doubt you'd open it in the red light district.
Just a thought,
Charlie.
_________________
"Before I speak, I have something important to say."
- Groucho Marx |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Can
Guest
|
Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2003 9:10 pm
Post subject:
|
|
|
Hello,
Thank you so much for all your opinions. I really appreciate it.
I plan to buy some discounted items from stores/outlet and resell them. I guess i need to so some research before I select the item. Otherwise, it's just a waste of time and money to list them.
Thank you Brad for your reply. Yes, I am concerned about the "aucthorized retailer". And I think it's not easy to be an authorized retailer. You are right about the Sony example. There are not many ppl who sell Sony products on web but they are not authorized. However, they are legal to do their business. May be I should mention that I am not an authorized retailer in my auction so that ppl will know it before they buy it.
Can |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Can
Guest
|
Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2003 9:13 pm
Post subject:
|
|
|
Hi, robertb,
May i know where can i get a vendor licence?
Thanks,
Can |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Guest
|
Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2003 12:15 am
Post subject:
|
|
|
You are worrying about a non-issue. There is no need to let people know that you aren't an authorized dealer as you aren't required to be an authorized dealer. Also, it may give people an impression that you are doing something illegal (which you aren't) and they will be less likely to buy from you.
Once you have purchased something, it is yours to do with as you wish. Just make sure your return policy is spelled out in your auction listing, and make sure you sell it for more than you paid for it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
robertb
Joined:
09 Aug 2003
Posts:
1837
Location:
Columbus, OH
|
Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2003 12:30 am
Post subject:
|
|
|
| Can wrote: | Hi, robertb,
May i know where can i get a vendor licence?
Thanks,
Can |
Each state offers them, I got mine from the department of taxation.
_________________
Robert
Instant Site Comments - Allow Visitors to Comment On Your Content!
EbookNiches.com - 4 PLR Ebook Packages Each Month
Learn About DropShipping |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Private Messages
Log in
