No restrictions for selling on social media

Madam – I reply to the mini storm on the Newcastle Classifieds about online sellers being investigated by the police and I would just like to make a few points.

First and most importantly, there are NO restrictions on on people selling their personal belongings. We are privileged to live in a free country and can dispose of our legal posessions how we wish. Selling them online is a great way to do this and buyers can pick up a bargain.

The physical second-hand stores have already adapted to this, and many also sell happily and successfully online. Some have even closed their physical premises to do so. As for second-hand stores being greedy and offering peanuts, there are many different stores in town with different buying and pricing policies, so those who generalise are not being fair.

Second-hand stores are businesses that have to pay rent, utilities (both extremely high in this town), wages and tax. Second-hand store owners are making a living like anyone else and are still operating despite online sales, so jealousy is clearly not an issue.

In our town we are very fortunate to have a dedicated FLASH unit dealing with the sale of second-hand goods among other things. All second-hand dealers have to be licensed and inspected to ensure no stolen property is being dealt in. This is for the public’s protection. We always complain about the high crime rate and murder and rape often accompany robberies.

The identification of stolen goods can help police to lead to the perpetrators of serious crimes and limit channels through which stolen goods can be dealt in that addresses the kind of crimes the police have been accused of not investigating properly.

In Newcastle the second-hand shops have had a cooperative relationship with the police for about 10 years, with meetings between them, the police, second-hand car dealers, cellphone dealers and representatives of the municipality and CPF to ensure all is done from all sides to reduce crime in our town. Businesses give up their valuable time to attend these bi-monthly meetings and many issues surrounding the sale of second-hand goods are addressed.

These are issues that you as the public need to consider when purchasing or selling an item either online, or privately. Is the item the legitmate property of the seller? If not, you may have a visit from the police in your future. Do you know if the item is on HP? If so, the furniture shop can repossess it from you. Cel phones can be blacklisted.

Also, when it comes to electrical appliances, reputable dealers provide a guarantee on their goods. Importantly, as a seller, do you really know who you are inviting to your home when you advertise something privately? This has left many vulnerable to serious crime. As I said before though, we live in a free country, and the choice is yours.

In regards to the police investigating online sellers, it is the DEALERS they are concerned with, and this only concerns those who make a PROFIT from buying and selling second hand goods. According to the Second-Hand Goods Act, any dealer must comply with the terms and conditions of the act (available on google). We, as a town are fortunate to have a police force that is concerned with implenting the laws of the country, as it makes our town safer as a whole.

If as a dealer you wish to do so legitimately, contact the police for details on how to become licensed. You will also be welcomed at forum meetings where you will be provided with valuable information on how to proceed with your business.

For those criticising the police, which can clearly be valid in some cases, I have found almost all the police officers I personally have dealt with to be dedicated, hard working and concerned about the public, while working under difficult circumstances for low pay. They also need to be commended as much as the corrupt officers are condemned.

A Newcastle Second-hand dealer