[meteorite-list] eBay no longer a community

From: Rob McCafferty <rob_mccafferty_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Mon, 22 Jan 2007 17:44:51 -0800 (PST)
Message-ID: <942717.44837.qm_at_web50906.mail.yahoo.com>

I agree Nicholas.

Now it's rare that my "more sensitive bits" would
survive a bid >$200 once my wife found out but I spend
plenty on stuff lower priced than that.
It's nice to know who you're up against. There's one
name in particular who seems to like the same stuff I
do but seems a little wealthier (or at least less
nervous of what his wife would do). If that name comes
up in the bid history I tend to steer clear. Imagine
the castration potential if I ever got into the >$200
bracket with this guy!!!

I'm sure they have their reasons. We're probably not
important enough to them.

Rob McC
--- Nicholas Gessler <gessler at ucla.edu> wrote:

> 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
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________
> Meteorite-list mailing list
> Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
>
http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
>



 
____________________________________________________________________________________
Any questions? Get answers on any topic at www.Answers.yahoo.com. Try it now.
Received on Mon 22 Jan 2007 08:44:51 PM PST