Hi again,  Doug mentioned a lack of response from a seller.  There are
at least two things you can do to prevent this.  I make it a point to
send the seller a question before bidding.  That way, you know that you
can make contact through eBay's system and you also get their e-mail
address.  If you get stuck with a non-responsive seller like Doug did,
the simple thing is to request their address and phone number through
e-bay.  It comes in your e-mail in a few minutes.

I have had this problem a couple of times.  The cause was usually some
problem with their spam filters.  There are dozens of ways this can
happen.  For instance, today's MMD got filtered into the trash by my
spam filter.  I had filtered on the word "Rolex" to avoid all those
messages offering me knockoffs.  (Thanks, Matt!)  If you have the
person's phone number, you can just call them to work things out.  If
the number doesn't connect, you know there is (or will be) a problem.

Finally, I thoroughly agree with John about arresting the crooks.
Same goes for ID thieves.  Seems as though nobody will address those
who attempt to pull a fast one.  Just like in other matters of
discipline, if they get punished for the little things, they seldom
progress to the big things.

I had my ID stolen a couple years ago and I knew the name and address
of the person who did it.  None of the companies involved or agencies
that I contacted took any action against them.  One was Bell Atlantic/
Verison.  Someone used my name/SSN to buy $900 worth of cell phone and
air time (plus another $8000 in other stuff).  Although they knew about
the fraud within four hours, Verison delivered the phones to an
apartment in New York the next day.  Too bad they didn't have a cop
with them.  A few days later, Bell Atlantic (same company) sold them
phone service in my name at that same address (knowing about the fraud
and having my real address from my own account) and let them run up
another $1000 over 3 months.  Guess who they came to for payment.

I think eBay works just fine if you're careful, but I always call the
bank to confirm a check, money order or bank draft.  On the other hand,
I've had a couple people send me $1000+ cash for a Castlewood Organ
kit.  Now that's trust.

Regards
Craig Smith
Upstate New York