eBay My World: dr_dave( 1367)

Seller of jewelry (see feedback) claims, ''...our Jewelry & Gemstones consistently sell for 30% to 60% of the appraised value.'' Of 985 sales I tracked, 75% sold for less than 7.5% of the claimed appraisal value! Beware! Tell others!!!

Rare paper currency, WWII memorabilia, old cameras.

Rare paper currency, 1950-60s kitsch, old and new science instruments (I'm a HS science & math teacher and use them in my classes).

Talking Heads, R.E.M., Phish, S.T.P., Grateful Dead, James Taylor, Tchaikovsky, Rush, Green Day, Patsy Cline, Keb Mo'. How's that for variety?

'Dead Like Me' (SciFi), 'Eureka' (SciFi), Discovery Channel, 'Mail Call' (a HS classmate is one of the segment directors), 'Cash in the Attic' (BBC - Amer.)

Items that appeal to people from their home state that generally would not appeal to folks from other states. School memorabilia, hometown memorabilia, state specialties (pottery, furniture, art, etc.). While you can find the items by searching, having a specific state that you can list under would help. Sub-categories might be Art, Household (furntiure & accessories), History, Schools, Hometowns (maybe list the 5 largest cities), Famous People From Here. It's a start!

Earned Doctorate from Indiana University. HS science teacher.

Generally Paypal, Postal MOs.

Buyer selects! Actual cost! Time to end the 'nickel & diming' in which so many sellers engage. Most buyers don't need their item shipped FedEX Overnight with $1K insurance!

Always insure your items! Have a knowledgeable person test it before returns (or posting nasty feedback because you can't get the item to work properly). I've had many items returned, usually computer-related, because the buyer failed to download the proper driver or couldn't figure out how to configure a modem properly.

Can be confirmed by other means - too many sellers use PO Boxes instead of physical addresses, or list phone numbers with area codes that go to a state other than the one listed. eBay needs to crack down on these abuses!

eBay has the PowerSeller designation - I propose the RealSeller designation. Seller's name, address and phone number that can be confirmed by a 3rd party (like their bank or an escrow service). If you're HONEST and sell QUALITY products, you should have no reason to fear giving out your real information (when appropriate - to buyers only!). Too many sellers hide behind PO Boxes and pay-as-you-go cel phones to avoid legal action for their illegal items or scams.

Keep fdbk hidden until BOTH parties post. This would eliminate most retaliatory negs. If a party fails to leave feedback within 45 days, they get an automatic Neutral while other party gets a Positive. Both fdbks read as 'Buyer/Seller failed to post fdbk wihtin alloted time.' Finally, GET RID OF TEXT FEEDBACK! Use Likert ratings: 1-to-5, or Great/Good/Okay/Poor/Bad/No response. Using Likert scales won't prevent retaliation, but it would end libelous feedback. Combining Likert scales with hidden fdbk until both post would eliminate retaliation! Follow-ups and Replies would need to be managed as well. I would eliminate them as they merely add fuel to the fire and can result in more libelous statements.