The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Phono48 wrote:

epigramophone wrote:Some people will try anything to get something for nothing, but fortunately most people are honest, otherwise no-one could buy or sell with confidence. Ebay has it's problems, but it has enabled many of us to vary and enhance our collections by judicious buying and selling.

Well put, my thoughts exactly.

I agree, but I have a huge issue when the marketplace I'm paying for and the money transfer service I'm paying for actively co-conspire with thieves- who pay them nothing- to rip me off. Everyone expects the occasional bad apple, but when eBay and PayPal give the bad apples their choice of tool kits to separate me from what's mine I have a huge problem with it.

This is why I made the point that strong competition is needed. Unfortunately this is not likely to happen unless one of the big internet players is prepared to risk the substantial cost of setting up a rival site.

When an organisation has a near monopoly of a service or product they can make the rules to suit themselves and get away with it.

epigramophone wrote:This is why I made the point that strong competition is needed. Unfortunately this is not likely to happen unless one of the big internet players is prepared to risk the substantial cost of setting up a rival site.

When an organisation has a near monopoly of a service or product they can make the rules to suit themselves and get away with it.

I'm actually working on a collectibles site with a group of about 50 sellers (most of whom are not posting anything up yet) but the internet is a way different place than it was even five years ago. Getting seen out there is a real battle these days what with all the search engine manipulation towards players who pay these days. The Wild West of the Internet is over.

We have auction software too but there are real limitations to it.