I often advertise my business on craigslist.
My business is required by law to maintain a state licence via http://www.bear.ca.gov/
Many people advertise similar services, often at much lower rates, who lack this licence.
The craigslist TOS does prohibit
Since there are fines for this from the state of california ($250) would this be consided offering an unlawful/illegal service?
If so would it be appropriate to report them as prohibited postings?
I’d report them - if the others are not following regs and you are - so be it.
That was kinda my thought, since I do have a licence and have to pay $175/year to keep it, while opening myself up to bigger fines for violating some of the requirements of that licence.
Just thought I would try to get a broader opinion than my own obviously biased one.
Heh, just found out a place I did some subcontract work for got cited a few months back.
I’d make sure you include enough information about the legal requirements that you don’t look like you are just trying to chase off the cheap competition.
(I guess I’m voting for prudent over rude, but not by much. I’m not sure why I’m percieving your business as something that an interested amateur can do without much practical risk-- you know, as opposed to medicine or electrical work or law or something. Because if I did percieve your business that way, I’d lean much more strongly for prudent over rude. And it’s not like you’ve specified what your business is–not that it’s any of my business).
Computer repair
The licencing restrictions are mainly WRT written invoices, returning parts, honoring warranties, not exceeding estimates, a variety of fraudulent practices like fluffing your labor hours for shop work, etc.
A talented novice can do fine, just a matter of wheter or not they are playing by the rules that the big boys have to obey for fear of fines and or lawsuits.
I don’t know. But I DO know that you can’t spell “prudent” without “rude”.
The url for the bureau that oversees your profession led me to think it would be much more exciting and perhaps involve ursine wrestling or such.
I think it’d be fine to report them. While obviously it may help your business, it may also protect consumers, as it sounds like that is the intent of the licensing in the first place.
Well, you want humble opinions, and mine is that requiring a god-damned license to fix a fricken’ computer is silly. I’ve replaced friends busted hard drives and been compensated with lunch or dinner many times and there simple isn’t any need for the big “BEAR” to protect poo’ wittle consumer’s $350 investments in their computers.
True, but the operative word here IMHO is “friends” you are not holding yourself out to the general public for hire.
I’d report them. It’s no different than someone setting up in a local parking lot to sell their wares, or having a “yard sale” every weekend. They compete w/ the local retailers, but avoid many of the expenses of doing business.
Make sure you detail the complaint, to show what local laws are being violated.
I would report them. Mind you, I seem to be quite the vocational tattletale… I report advert posts in the Dope and adverts for jobs in apartment-rental sites 
You’re doing the people who need those kind of services a favor, by helping keep the site clean.
Heh, the thread is getting old but this is hilarious. I just got an email from a craigslist advertier saying he has flagged my ad for misinformation because of my linking to the licence check page showing my license as valid and noting that it is a violation of CA state law to operate without that licence.
I replied to craigslist citing the sections of CA Business and Professions Code complete with linky, CC to the punk who thought it would be funny to complain about me for running a legit shop.
I doubt craigslist will do anything, but ya gotta fight ignorance especially when it trys to shell you from the other end of an internet connection.