[meteorite-list] eBay no longer a community

[Rob McCafferty]

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
> 
> 
> 
> 
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