If the person who is selling on eBay makes any contributions to MMD
then my vote is let them mention an item but no details.  One line in
MMD would be OK but not a descriptive paragraph.

If I already know about the item and I am bidding on it then of course
I would not want any mention of it on MMD as I really don't need the
competition to bid against me.  I look for Wurlitzer Pianino rolls and
Peerless rolls on eBay.  I like to stay away from eBay as it really
just hurts my left hip on the backside of this old body.

There have been instances that I e-mailed sellers of pianos on eBay
and other places on the Internet telling them what I think of their
instrument.  I really never meant to hurt any ones ego but there has
been a time or two on eBay that an instrument was not accurately
described.

For example there was a Wurlitzer nickelodeon with a modification to
the roll frame so the piano could play another type of roll.   One look
at the picture and I saw that the pump was wrong, the roll frame was
new, the glass was not right and the instrument was not a lovingly
cared for original nickelodeon but a build-up of parts.

Now, if the seller was to sell that piece to someone across the
country, and the buyer finds out it's all wrong, then who pays?  All
honest piano rebuilders become suspect and a potential new collector
gets burned on his first purchase.

I have been burned on several purchases over the Internet.  The
merchandise I have bought has been expensive and I could not find the
seller even with their phone numbers in hand.  Recently a band organ
roll was offered on eBay and I know it was an "A-roll" for a coin
piano.  I e-mailed the high bidders and told them.  One called me and
wanted to know how I could tell.   Trust me (ha ha) -- I know a little
more than most about "A-rolls".

Well, that's two of my cents worth on eBay.  As they say at auctions,
"Good Luck."

Don Teach
The Don