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Recent message from eBay regarding INFORM Consumers Act

I received a email from eBay regarding the INFORM Consumers Act. I looked at the legislation which states:

The INFORM Consumers Act directs online marketplaces to verify high-volume third-party sellers by acquiring the seller’s government ID, tax ID, bank account information, and contact information. High-volume third-party sellers are defined as vendors who have made 200 or more discrete sales in a 12-month period amounting to $5,000 or more.

 

The legislation instructs online marketplaces to ensure that their high-volume third-party sellers disclose to consumers basic information including the seller’s name, business address, email address, phone number.

According to eBay it will require that they publicly display the seller's full name and contact information, including address, email and phone number, on each product listed for sale.

 

The last thing I want is to have this information displayed on my listing. I don’t have a problem with a buyer getting it after a sale but not before a purchase. Please object to this requirement of the legislation.

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Re: Recent message from eBay regarding INFORM Consumers Act

I think this only applies to drop shipping > Third-party fulfilment is when someone else – such as a warehousing partner or supplier – holds your inventory and packs and sends your eBay orders for you.

 

Not 100% sure though. As a seller I do NOT want my info available to all that browse here, as you say once an order is placed that is different.

 

Also this would surely open the possibility for off eBay transactions, so just can't see the benefit of this for eBay.

 

Was there any link to the legislation in the eBay email?

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Message 2 of 9
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Re: Recent message from eBay regarding INFORM Consumers Act


@downunder-61 wrote:

I think this only applies to drop shipping > Third-party fulfilment is when someone else – such as a warehousing partner or supplier – holds your inventory and packs and sends your eBay orders for you.


Anyone besides Amazon who sells on Amazon is a third-party seller.

Anyone besides eBay who sells on eBay is a third-party seller.

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Re: Recent message from eBay regarding INFORM Consumers Act

Fom JDSUPRA website

 

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Background of the Law

The INFORM Consumers Act takes two major actions to safeguard consumers from "high-volume third party sellers," users who are: (1) independent of the owner/operator of the online marketplace (i.e. Amazon, eBay, Redbubble, or TeePublic), and (2) entered into 200 or more sales of new or unused consumer products resulting in revenues of $5,000.00 or higher.

The first major action is the implementation of a requirement for an online marketplace to require high-volume third party sellers to provide the following information:

  • A verified bank account information,
  • A government-issued identification for the individual representing the high-volume third party seller,
  • A government-issued record verifying that information, and
  • A business tax identification number.

The second major action entails requiring the online marketplace to post identifying information associated with the high-volume third party seller on the pages for their listings. This information shall include the seller's full name, business address, whether the seller engages in manufacturing, importing, retail or resale, and contact information for the seller, including a phone number and working email address. Further, while this is not a major step forward, contact information for reporting suspicious activity, in addition to other information that the Federal Trade Commission deems appropriate. This should assist consumers in not only contacting retailers directly concerning defective goods, but also being able to better calculate their purchase (i.e. avoiding resellers if an unopened/new item is needed). Further, for other retailers, this may assist them in directly contacting the high-volume third party seller to issue cease and desist notices if items are counterfeit or otherwise infringe on the retailer's registered trademarks.

While there are some exceptions to the latter requirement concerning the High-Volume Third Party Seller, sellers can request a reduction in the partial disclosure of information, specifically in cases where (a) they only have a personal street address; and (b) do not have a business number and only have a personal number. Nonetheless, this does create a defacto email address that must be set up and maintained by the third party seller, and if an online marketplace becomes aware that a false representation was made for the sole purpose of reducing the amount of information being provided, such online marketplace can demand full disclosure of information.

What the INFORM Consumers Act means for You

If passed, the INFORM Consumers Act will have three general effects on retailers. First, for businesses that sell on Amazon or via e-Bay, businesses should be prepared to share further information with those online marketplaces and verify their identity in order to continue doing business. Second, businesses that are still operating informally from a personal address may need to consult attorneys to protect their personal addresses and information. Third, as stated above, enforcement of trademarks or copyright may become much easier, as a trademark or copyright owner could send cease and desist letters to either a verified address or a valid email.

 
It references to NEW and INUSED Items 
Message 4 of 9
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Re: Recent message from eBay regarding INFORM Consumers Act

Quote: "...Second, businesses that are still operating informally from a personal address may need to consult attorneys to protect their personal addresses and information. "  Oh, all we need is for scammers to have instant access to our email addresses and contact info!  As if it isn't hard enough to block and discover who they are and stop them from hurting us (I had one just last week and I was successful in getting rid of them, at least for now).  This is all getting beyond being able to hang in there and see if things change.  This'll be it for me.  When this comes to pass, so will I.  Life is to live, not cringe in the corner waiting for the boogie-man to strike.  Corporates are protected from the IRS audits (per Biden's plan to audit the corporates) so they're safe, but us little guys? We are being attacked and pushed around at every turn and the pace is getting faster.  There has to be a better way. 

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Re: Recent message from eBay regarding INFORM Consumers Act

No it's not for drop shippers as I went and read the legislation.  Third Party Sellers mean anyone selling on eBay who sell over 200 items valued at 5K or above.  eBay reported "High volume third-party sellers,” are defined as those who have 200+ annual sales totaling $5,000 or more. Additionally, the legislation requires that the high-volume sellers’ full name and full contact information be displayed on each listing. Legislators have not fully considered the impact that this legislation would have on eBay sellers and those who utilize other online marketplaces.

 

The rationale given in support of the bill:  The Integrity, Notification, and Fairness in Online Retail Marketplaces for Consumers (INFORM Consumers) Act would direct online retail marketplaces that include third-party sellers of consumer products to authenticate the identity of “high-volume third-party sellers,” which will help deter the online sale of counterfeit goods by anonymous sellers and prevent organized retail crime rings from stealing items from stores to resell those items in bulk online. The bill will also ensure that consumers can see basic identification and contact information for high-volume third party sellers of consumer products on online marketplaces. The bill is cosponsored by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Thom Tillis (R-NC).

 

I do not want my personal contact information on a listing for anyone to see.  This is what eBay is claiming will happen should this legislation pass.

 

 

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Re: Recent message from eBay regarding INFORM Consumers Act

You're so right. Government has too much to say... too much government pushing us around in every area. But, we have a new breed of American who do not know jack about freedom or history...and let this overreach happen.

Message 7 of 9
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Re: Recent message from eBay regarding INFORM Consumers Act


@lightlily_arts wrote:

I received a email from eBay regarding the INFORM Consumers Act. I looked at the legislation which states:

The INFORM Consumers Act directs online marketplaces to verify high-volume third-party sellers by acquiring the seller’s government ID, tax ID, bank account information, and contact information. High-volume third-party sellers are defined as vendors who have made 200 or more discrete sales in a 12-month period amounting to $5,000 or more.

 

The legislation instructs online marketplaces to ensure that their high-volume third-party sellers disclose to consumers basic information including the seller’s name, business address, email address, phone number.

According to eBay it will require that they publicly display the seller's full name and contact information, including address, email and phone number, on each product listed for sale.

 

The last thing I want is to have this information displayed on my listing. I don’t have a problem with a buyer getting it after a sale but not before a purchase. Please object to this requirement of the legislation.


BUT doesn't that run up against eBay's policy of NOT displaying personal information in our listings as a bulwark against off eBay sales? Now in truth the buyer gets that information after they buy something. But the notice says "each product listed for sale" not "each product sold"

"Laissez-faire capitalism (AKA The Great Material Continuum) is the only social system based on the recognition of individual rights and, therefore, the only system that bans force from social relationships." ~ Ayn Rand
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Re: Recent message from eBay regarding INFORM Consumers Act

Hi everyone,

Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread HERE if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thank you for understanding.

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