[R-390] RadioMart story

[Gene Dathe]

The recent Ebay discussion reminds me of one I had recently at work.  A 
couple of observations we arrived at:

1. Ebay cannot be used as a price guide.  You are by definition dealing with 
the HIGHEST bidder.  Searching completed results will give you an idea of 
the TOP dollar paid recently for any given item.  What it may retail for on 
any given day will be MUCH less.

2.  100% feedback is impossible in the long run.  If you think the Post 
Office can deliver 100 out of 100 packages with no damage, I have a NSA/CIA 
390A for you...  And that's just getting it to them.  Add honest 
disagreement about what you stated in your auction.  Nothing in the world is 
"mint", "looks like it's never been used", etc.  It may look good to you but 
the buyer may have expected more from your glowing description.  I know I've 
bought stuff that wasn't anywhere near what I expected, only to go back and 
read the ad and find out they did indeed describe it accurately...

3.  There are crooks out there!  Is it reasonable to expect 100 honest 
sellers for every 100 items you buy?  Check the feedback.  If "item did not 
match description" occurs more than once, be wary and expect the worst, and 
buy at last resort.   The best indicator is "There was a problem with this 
item but seller worked with me to resolve".  Nothing like good old fashioned 
customer service...

Too long already-73!  Gene NAØG