Auctioneers are licensed by state, the federal govt does not get involved.
Different states have different requirements for getting a license, and I am sure that there are some variations in the laws, but I don't think that there is much variation. The laws for auctioneers in New England (MA, ME, VT, CT, RI, NY, NH) are pretty much the same. Usually the differences are in what is required to become licensed. For example in MA you have to take a 60hr certification course, be bonded, get references, etc. In NH you have to take a written test. In NY, you don't have to take the certification course, all that you have to do is apply for the license, be bonded and pay the license fee.
When using Liveauctioneers, Proxibid, Artfact, etc, the rules of the state in which the auction is taking place are what apply.
The auctions that really surprise me are the automobile auctions that you see on TV. Those guys really seem to be on the edge of what is legal and ethical in the way that they conduct them. You have the owner bidding on the item right in front of everybody and they get to decide if they want to sell the car or not just before the hammer falls. Odd way to run an auction, but I guess it works for them. I can't imagine any other type of auction being run that way.
Scott
|