I've read everyone's comments on eBay with great interest. Personally, I've never liked it, and I like it even less now, if that is possible. Any organization that makes it so easy for scoundrels to flourish is bad, in my opinion. Furthermore, eBay has turned into a monolith, like the Phone Company used to be back before the days of deregulation. They have contrived it so that you MUST deal with them, and you MUST do precisely what they say -- OR ELSE! Most Americans, in particular, who have a strong sense of "rugged individualism," would rankle at being bossed around by pencil-necked geeks. For my part, I maintain my phonophan.com Web site as a tiny alternative to buying machines on eBay. Yet, we need to recall that antiques are only a portion of what eBay does. Chances are, even if every antique person defected, the enormity of all eBay's OTHER business would keep it going indefinitely. I'm not saying people shouldn't follow their consciences and boycott if they feel strongly, but eBay is a Frankenstein's Cat with a lot of lives. Cheers, to all, Tim Fabrizio phonophan PO Box 747 Henrietta, NY 14467
TEL 585 582 1586 FAX 585 582 2624 Web site: www.phonophan.com In a message dated 9/15/2008 4:11:35 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, phono-l at cylinder.de writes: The arguments against ebay are very reasonable. They have grown to a monster that will eat anyone around. But honestly, as a collector in Europe, what should I do? There are no other -global- auction or market places around to reach people and to find stuff I am collecting. Of course, I am addicted to them and would welcome a true competitor but there is no alternative platform around I know that offers worldwide access and reaches the poeple.Craigslist is nice but was always made to support local business - that is not option for me. A boycott would mean to virtually stop collecting, except for my few US vacations while other (local) collectors would be feasting 24/7. At this time, there is no alternative for me. However yes, ebay sucks. I see the severe problems via ebay but as long no international alternative supplier comes around, eBay will liekly keep its position. Norman ps.: ebay owns about 25% of Craiglist. At 02:26 14.09.2008, you wrote: >I just don't understand for the life of me why no one has been able to >challenge ebay by establishing a new on line auction. Every >successful business in >the world has been challenged. Examples are: > >Ford >Coca Cola >General Electric >K-Mart > >The list goes on and on. It truly amazes me that ebay is still the one and >only on line auction that just continues to monopolize on line >auction world. >For this reason, they are big enough to continue to go up on rates, tell YOU >the SELLER how you will get paid, and YOU the BUYER how you will pay. > >Most businesses in our country that continue to forget the patrons that made >them who they are in the first place at some point in time begin to lose >steam. I am still waiting for the time that a new company comes up >and over takes >ebay. > >As a 12+ year member of the ebay community as a seller and buyer (100% >feedback), I have decided to boycott the auction company. I am >doing my part to >stop supporting a company that tells me how I will do business. I >feel that if >enough people do this, ebay will get the message. > >It's one thing to cry and 'belly ache' about how you are treated in the >business world, but another thing to say, "I am not only going to >complain, but I >AM GOING TO STOP SUPPORTING THE BUSINESS." > >When we all do that, the business will get the message. > >It's like our local gas stations here in town. When they saw an opportunity >to put the screws on us by selling us gas that they bought last week at a >$1.00 more a gallon (from $3.57 Friday to $4.57 today Saturday) due to the >hurricane threat, I made the decision to stay home all weekend. It >appears that many >of my community neighbors have also done the same as word is these stations >have done very little business. > >Instead of running on gas this weekend, I am running on the energy of my 100+ >year old Victor springs and enjoying every minute. Billy Murray and Ada >Jones have never sounded better, and to think...the entertainment >and energy to >produce it is free!! > >It's all about the mighty dollar my friends! You take care and keep the >speed limit at 78...rpms that is! > >And yes, thank you Billy and Ada for continuing to entertain us, and for >putting smiles on our faces! > >Brantley >South Carolina > > >_______________________________________________ >Phono-L mailing list >http://phono-l.oldcrank.org _______________________________________________ Phono-L mailing list http://phono-l.oldcrank.org **************Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com. (http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014)
