Online marketplaces have provided a huge opportunity for Georgians like me who sell online. I took a chance with my business and can sell to practically anyone, anywhere. But now our lawmakers could upend 11 years of my work with a bill that makes selling online harder.
SB 472 would change the definition of who qualifies as a “high volume” seller and hold me liable for tracking transactions that I’m not even privy to. Just about anyone could be a high-volume seller – from college kids reselling textbooks to boutiques selling online.
This is a ridiculous and unnecessary burden. How am I supposed to comply with this kind of rule, especially when there’s already a national law? The INFORM Consumers Act went into effect last year and already defines high-volume sellers. Does this mean I have to comply with two different laws? Government overreach has never solved much in my experience, and I don’t want to give over that much sensitive information that could be hacked down the road.
Georgia is right to want to curb retail theft, but it can’t do so at the expense of honest business owners. A federal bill already exists to deal with those issues; State Sen. Brandon Beach and the rest of the state need to let the INFORM Act do its work and leave sellers like me alone.
— Bryan Fly
Johns Creek resident, Octo Lights LLC owner
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