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The Semi-Annual Sellers Brawl at eBay!by D.S. MatteauIt seems like every other year when the groundhog comes out of his hole, it is not because he was awakened by the warmth of the spring sun, but rather by the noise of wailing and moaning and shouting and cursing over in the eBay marketplace. Ah, it's the semi-annual Sellers' Brawl! 2008 seems to be bigger and noisier than ever. This bit from a Reuters story in January sets the scene: 
The forecast accompanied solid fourth-quarter results, and analysts said it was unclear if the company feared an economic slowdown or whether management was giving itself room to make changes to revitalize the business.
And the traders in ebay, sellers and buyers alike, seem to be going in one of two directions. While some dance to the traditional tunes of merry trading in original paintings and attic treasures, others push each other down in their rush to the bar for what they are sure is to be their last drink before the music stops. 
But while the Reuters story suggests the thirsty have good cause to panic, the ones who just keep dancing may be the ones who succeed. The flea-market finds, carnival glass, teapots, figurines, dolls and quilts that followed the first beanie-baby collections into eBay were never expected to pave the way for such a huge corporate juggernaut as ebay has become. The traders in electronics, special equipment, cars, boats, real estate and so much else that is not old and unusual, well, they dance to a different tune with a faster beat. Somehow eBay manages to be the leader of the band that tries to please all these dancers. Every other year, when the bandleader publishes a new play-list, the new dancers trip and protest the new tunes and the old collectors adjust their steps and carry on. The Teapot Co-op sat some dances out in 2006 and 2007, but is back now, and on our own platform, completely independent of the sturm & drang of ebay! Bookmark this page and keep your eye on our expanding list of fine collectables and original art. illustrations courtesy of ebay trader cmurphy662 |
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