Yesterday, we covered three bills in Congress championed by the National Retail Federation that would require online marketplaces to keep extensive records on merchants and, on behalf of the government, secretly investigate those suspected of selling stolen goods. Trying to shore up support, a representative for the NRF compared online merchants to drug addicts who could help but steal to support their eBay habit.
Such statements peeved a lot of people, especially NetChoice, an ecommerce advocacy group. NetChoice executive director Steve DelBianco, who compared NRF exec Joe LaRocca’s remarks about the Internet causing theft to back seats causing sex, demanded a public apology earlier this week.
"There are millions of hard-working Americans who use the Internet to build a new business, reach new customers, or just to put a little extra cash in their pockets during tough times, and they play a critical role in our economy," said DelBianco
"At a time when big companies are looking to the government for bailouts, these entrepreneurs are working to create new jobs, pay their taxes, and build something for their future. They are the true innovators -- the hardest working, most productive workers in the world - and they deserve better than to be labeled as addicts and criminals by the mouthpiece for giant retail chains who are afraid of a little competition."
LaRocca will not be moved, though, according to CNet:
"The testimony we submitted reflected the sentiments of many retailers that we work with," he said. "It's not to say all sellers in online marketplaces are involved in illegal activity, however, we're finding the ease of selling these products online is luring people into this. It's an issue we have worked closely with law enforcement over, with successful conclusions, however, we feel more needs to be done by online marketplaces."
Sounds like he’s hooked on a feeling of a few retailers rather than hard evidence eBay and craigslist are gateway drugs. No doubt the Internet is likely a popular destination for fencers, but comparing online retailers to addicts and thieves is way across the line, and so are the proposed bills in Congress.
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Sex, Drugs, and eBay??
Oh boy! This is a funny one..
When I was growing up, it was Rock-n-Roll that was the gateway to Sex, Drugs, and all sort of other bad things. Today it's eBay!! Oh great what am I going to do now?? :)
This really is one of the most stupid things, or one of the most brillant things ever dreamed up. Now don't get me wrong, retailers have a valid concern. There are people out there that shop-lift from these retailers, and then take that stolen merchandise and post it on eBay and other sites to sell. So it is obviously a problem that needs attention, though I do not believe the government should be involved in solving this one. The answer is quite simple, and really wouldn't cost eBay or the Retailers in question any major money. It's called profiling, we use it in Airports, we use it in local law enforcement, heck it's even used in casinos. When a seller decides to list items on eBay, that have been profiled as potential items that shoplifters target (which would be communicated to eBay by the retailers), then eBay should step in and say... "We appreciate you deciding to use us as your sales portal, however can you prove your legal ownership of the items being sold?" Any company that has legally purchase any item for resale can prove it very easily, and most wouldn't mind doing so (I've been asked by eBay to provide proof of purchase in the beginning). So what's the problem here, and what's the real truth behind the problem?
It's does amaze me, that is for sure. They target eBay and the such as the bad guys, label them as the portal for this illegal activity. Though in my opinion, they are looking at the wrong commerical outlet for these stolen goods. Most theives wish to dispose of this stolen property as quickly as possible, for obvious reasons. So what do you think would be the fastest and quickest way? Have you been to you local Flea-Market / Swap Meet lately? Hypothetically, if I wanted to get ride of stolen property quickly and maximize my potential take on it. I would first visit my local Flea-Market, a couple thousand dollars of stolen electronics ($2000 Retail value) would fetch me at least $1000.00 at the market and my table rental would only be about $30.00 (+/-) a day, which I can pay cash for. So within a day, I could unload this property very quickly and then vanish into the sunset without a trace and $970.00 in my pocket. Maybe if retailers didn't mark up their products 100-300% over wholesale, people wouldn't have to steal stuff to resale it for the money so they can put gas in their cars.
So what's the true motivation behind these? Another way to erode our civil freedoms and control the Free Enterprise system.
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