HAA!

Buffett's BNI Purchase: Bearish Bet on the Economy?

shaftsinker- this network includes oil sands, america's breadbasket and canadian mining, all commodities that don't depend on US consumers- but I don't believe Buffet's comment "all in on the US economy" this guy is a predator, look at his GS purchase, ultimately he could care less about the US. He's been eyeing trains for years, and I hope decentralization ruins this play, may he bed a pretty lady and wake up with an ugly one!

America, The Nanny State

I'd gladly pay higher taxes if we halted all wars and withdrew our troops from these combat zones, closed most of our bases overseas and reduced overall military spending! Gee, applying my common sense to our nations budget expenses, I'd guess we'd easily be able to offer free health care and free food for everyone in the US if we did this... !! AND I didn't even need all these fancy charts and a history lesson!

Connecticut's Method of Eliminating Unemployment

screw all of you and us the US who think it's ok for business to layoff willy nilly whenever the economy looks grim. Just wait for this snowball effect of less jobs, less spending, less jobs, less of everything results in the apocalypse. This experiment in democracy and capitalism is quickly racing to the bottom line, no jobs, no spending, no civilization. So we'd better embrace socialism immediately or we're all screwed...

eBay Worsening

Miknedmo Flandersonski was annoyed that he didn't get his book in time for Christmas and his feedback lowered my search standing from upgraded to standard. Welcome to the new Ebay! And some wonder why there are so many Ebay bashers out there!!

Some Positives, But Problems Persist at eBay

Ebay is the enemy of my online business. They pushed back the day they end promotional rates from January 1st to March 31st which is my new date to leave(thanks for the additional time to establish a website and move inventory to Bonanzle, Biblio and Amazon!). Commissions near 25% are unacceptable combined with unfair policies(Buy.com) good riddance. They've severely damaged their own business and only a drastic reversal of numerous policies and apologies might save their business.

eBay's Weakening Bid

Am leaving Ebay for Biblio regardless of whether they raise their media rates from .05 to .15 January 2009. They're ridiculously expensive, user interface lousy, management worse. There are so many options out there, it's obvious Ebay is committing slow suicide, they'll have to drastically revamp fees and policies, again, in the seller's favor if they hope to survive.

No Christmas for eBay Sellers

Sales have skyrocketed the last couple weeks, possibly due to the new 30day fixed format. However, exposure still seems to be at the whim of ebay's grading of your business. After the .05 promo ends in January 1st 2009, I'm out of there! They will have to slash the FVF for media AND listing fees to keep me there. I can pay $10 a month elsewhere to get exposure for 5,000 items whereas it would cost .15 X 5000 = $750 on ebay and that is why ebay's stock will not recover until they change and it is why they are losing both buyers and sellers causing the degradation of the entire site and business.

eBay Caps Shipping Rates: What Is the CEO Thinking?

You forgot to mention the final value fee for the media category is increasing from 12% to 15%. It appears this is a deliberate strategy by ebay to to drive booksellers away from their site to Amazon.