[meteorite-list] eBay no longer a community

From: Nicholas Gessler <gessler_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sun, 21 Jan 2007 20:35:14 -0800
Message-ID: <7.0.1.0.2.20070121201905.05f26710_at_ucla.edu>

Hello All,

I was grossly disappointed at eBay's new policy of hiding the
identity of all bidders
in auctions over $200. Knowing at least a few of the bidders made
one feel like he
was taking part in a community. "Oh, Fred bought that," or "Sam
didn't bid high
enough," was part of the fun of knowing who was who - who was
building their collection
with similar items, who was buying and who was selling. Knowing who
was present
at the auction made a person feel he was among friends. Entire
networks of collectors,
list-serves, and even get-togethers evolved because of that comradery.

Now eBay has killed that!

Imagine going to a live auction where everyone who entered was hooded!
I'd like to see Sotheby's or Christie's try that. What a damper that
would put on
the friendly competition.

If anyone has an "in" to the eBay policy makers, please let me know how to make
a very loud protest heard!

I just called eBay and talked to a junior customer "handler." He was
really only
interested in giving me "the party line." "Is eBay likely to go
back?" I asked.
"No, that won't happen," he said.

The "official" BS reason is to prevent us from getting fraudulent
counterfeit eBay
offers. Yes, I get 20 of those a day. Also adverts for Viagra,
notices that someone
wants to send me $20,000,00, mortgage and lottery offers, etc. That
is the price
that one pays for a freely networked community.

Wait until one of the massive online communities starts putting up
auctions, where you
can walk into a bourse and see all the meteorites or cryptographic
equipment nicely
displayed. It is coming, and eBay won't be there...

Cheers?
Nick
gessler at ucla.edu
Received on Sun 21 Jan 2007 11:35:14 PM PST