Heh, caveat emptor has been a rule for a long time.

The Auld Grump

I think you misunderstand the issue here. I can buy a brand new computer or cell phone for 1 dollar. eBay makes no money if that happens. The vendor then charges an arm and a leg for shipping. The tell tale signs are that they have different shipping prices for say a newer version of the same product.

Now... increasing the minimum price would not in any way solve this problem. I buy a cell phone for say $5 and pay like $5 less for shipping.


Also, its harder for local businesses to compete because they 'look' expensive. Its hard for the buyers to figure anything out because you can't figure out how much something costs until you look at shipping AND the product's price.


So... apart from being a blatant cash grab, this will level the playing field. Further more, you are free to take your business else where, or go out of business. Outside of that, eBay can do what ever the hell they like.

Although they sound more and more like the telephone company in the 1970's.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9e3dTOJi0o

is kind of like that but it must be handmade. I really wish they (or someone) would go with the more generic flea-market style like you have said.