In the United States, minors cannot legally enter 
contracts. They are not considered adults for 
purposes of entering any type of legally 
enforceable contract. 

When you bid and win, you are entering a contract 
with the seller to receive a good or service for 
which you will pay a certain amount. If a minor 
is either the buyer or seller, then by the rules 
of jurisdiction, the transaction is immediately 
null and void. Thus, if either party is burned, 
or eBay is burned in a transaction involving a 
minor, they cannot legally enforce (attempt 
recoupment of funds, prosecution, etc) the 
contract against the minor party. So, if a 17 
year old illegally enters a contract on eBay and 
flakes out, it's not the 17 year old that is 
legally responsible. Their PARENTS would be 
responsible for their transactions. So it's not 
about "well, I'm a responsible bidder". You may 
be, but you're not a "legally responsible" 
bidder - which is what is important here.

"Allowing" minors to engage in business contracts 
A)is illegal under US Federal Law B)gives eBay or 
anyone who does business with them little or no 
legal recourse against fraud or theft

This is why eBay will immediately close down 
account of minors. To quote the fabulous BIf 
Naked, "It's not about me, it's not about you, 
it's about life."

Lastly as eBay is an American company, it must 
adhere to US laws and jurisdiction. It must also 
require it's users to do so. So, to conclude, if 
you have a problem, start a  grass roots movement 
and try to get the law changed. It'll never 
happen, but it might make you feel better.

kylaria77
:Business Law was the best class I ever took. 
Thank you Dr. Roger Johns!