[Boatanchors] Slightly Off Topic: E-COMMERCE

[w8au at sssnet.com]

At 07:46 AM 3/26/06, Ed Swynar wrote:

>I am very curious as to the thoughts & experiences of others regarding the 
>"...state of the art" of buying & selling on-line, especially those 
>thoughts & experiences from friends in the U.S.A.

(snip)

>the mail exchanges of small ticket items will surely slow down considerably.

Eddy:

Of course the perspective "down here" will be different.  Most Ebay 
items  in the regular Ebay edition (not CA or EU) tend not to travel out of 
the country, and USPS has not entered into any subtle agreements with Ebay.
No qustion that USPS (and other shippers) have undoubtedly benefitted from 
Ebay.

Ebay in the last few years has spawned the "handling and shipping" 
syndrome, where now some sellers freely stipulate fixed shipping costs that 
(to those of us used to mailing/shipping) are way out of line.
THIS is what will dampen the enthusiasm to conduct business through Ebay.

No question that hamfests are the cheapest way (not considering fuel costs) 
to buy/sell.  Perhaps the swap lists will also enjoy a resurgence
in the near future.

Thanks for your thoughts.  Nice to get a view of the more mundane things up 
north...(other than the political upheavals and scandals that are common to 
both sides of the border).  :-)

Perry    w8au