P3D Thoughts on e-Bay

[JNorman805@xxxxxxx]

        A few thoughts about the ongoing e-Bay/S3D debate, from one who has purchased
stuff both ways, and sold stuff to S3D subscribers:

        1. I appreciate the opportunity to buy from fellow subscribers, and like the
idea of one-to-one bargaining, reaching agreement, and making a deal.  

        2. I think there are advantages to people who sell via S3D:  No commission,
you have a clear idea who your buyer is, and you (maybe) stand a better chance
of keeping useful equipment within a community of users.

        3. In  my experience, stuff that's sold through S3D goes for closer to true
past value, although I understand that the marketplace dictates value, and
that e-Bay is just another part of the marketplace.

        4. I can understand why someone who offers something on e-Bay would want to
boost interest with a little free promotion on S3D, but I don't think it's a
real service to fellow S3D subscribers:  those who are interested probably
already know.

        5. I don't understand e-Bay bystanders seeking to get in on the action by
announcing on S3D the presence of an article they are drooling over but don't
plan to bid on.  All it does help goose the price up.  As I say, those who are
interested already know.  Those who don't know aren't interested enough to
have looked.  I wish bystanders who have made a decision to stay out of the
action would just watch in silence -- after all, if prices stay reasonable,
maybe they'll be in a better position to buy next time around.  

        6. I also don't understand the occasional frenzy of early bidding on e-Bay
items.  All it does is drive the price up.  I say we're better off to stay
away from bidding until the last few hours.  Yeah, I know, some people say
that's "sniping."   I call it strategic patience, and a service to fellow 3d
enthusiasts and e-Bay bidders alike, because it helps to keep prices somewhere
near reasonable.

        All IMHO, of course, and please note that I'm posting this on P3D because I
think that S3D ought to be reserved to those who have stuff to sell and those
who want to buy stuff.

                                                                Jim Norman


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