eBay is of the main advertisers on Google, they bought over 600,000 keywords last year alone. eBay doesnt have enough static pages for Google to index it properly so this is a nesscessary evil. Without eBay's support of Google, you're taking a loss of about 10M+. That's a pretty big hand to bite.
eBay has traditionally always had competition, and if anything this only helped it grow even larger. Look at Yahoo and Amazon, they couldn't even take it. The fact is that eBay is a differenet company now, than before. It's shifted it's focus from being an "auction" site, to being a marketplace.
Google is a great speculator, and it really has to be with the way it's stock is. A tighter integration of eBay and Google would be an intelligent move, eBay is a proven company, with rising stock for the last 10 years, and continuing to post profits well above expectations. PayPal, like it or not, is still the most reliable and easiest way to pay for things, and I'm sorry, but I've used it for well over 100 transactions and unlike my credit card and bank account, I dont pay an annual fees as a customer, and as a seller, it's a lot cheaper than the cost of getting a merchant account.
The point is this, eBay stands to lose ground in the market it's saturated. Google will have to figure out how to deal with fraud, customer/seller debate and at the same time promote it's product in a non-competitive manner such that it doesn't lose it's main advertiser.
Short of that, if Google decides to lock horns with eBay, I'm pretty sure you'll see eBay take a cut in it's stock to retain and regrow it's own markets. Competition is healthy, but I really doubt that this is anything more than posturing.
On an aside, pick a popular product, Froogle it, most of the vendors I've dealt with have had huge problems, lie or deliberately mislead me on price. Now add 10 million amateurs, wannabes, and fraudsters, and tell me that I can reasonably expect a better experience than eBay.
Important This article contains information about how to modify the registry.
Make sure to back up the registry before you modify it. Make sure that you know how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up, restore, and modify the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 256986 (https://premier.microsoft.com/kb/256986/ [microsoft.com]) Description of the Microsoft Windows registry
SYMPTOMS Consider the following scenario. You install Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) on a portable computer. Then, you connect a USB 2.0 device to the computer. In this scenario, the computer uses its battery power more quickly than you expect.
CAUSE Windows XP SP2 installs a USB 2.0 driver that initializes any connected USB device. However, the USB 2.0 driver leaves the asynchronous scheduler component continuously running. This problem causes continuous instances of memory access that prevent the computer from entering the deeper Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) processor idle sleep states. These processor idle sleep states are also known as C states. For example, these include the C3 and C4 states. These sleep states are designed, in part, to save battery power. If an otherwise idle portable computer cannot enter or maintain the processor idle sleep states, the computer uses its battery power more quickly than you expect.
RESOLUTION Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method.
These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved.
Modify the registry at your own risk. To resolve this problem, add the EnIdleEndpointSupport entry to the USB registry key.
To do this, follow these steps:
1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK. 2. Locate, and then click the following registry subkey: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\USB
Note If the USB subkey does not exist, create it. To do this, follow these steps:
a. Select the Services key. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click Key. b. Type USB in the New Key #1 box to name the new key "USB." 3. Right-click USB, point to New, and then click DWORD Value. 4. In the New Value #1 box that appears, type EnIdleEndpointSupport, and then press ENTER. 5. Right-click EnIdleEndpointSupport, and then click Modify. 6. In the Value data box, type 1, leave the Hexadecimal option selected, and then click OK. 7. Quit Registry Editor.
STATUS Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.
APPLIES TO Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2, when used with: Microsoft Windows XP Professional Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Quite simply, selling a backup of any medium on eBay is strictly prohibited. A good example of where this enforced, is when a vinyl is sold with a CD-R copy of the record.
Given the fact that you can't buy movies on iTunes yet, this is a no-brainer. Even if the iPod were sold with original copies of the CD, it's still a breach, and as such can't be sold.
The real interesting point here is whether or not eBay is open to the sale of "used" MP3s, and how in fact the ownership of these items can be transferred if at all.
Currently MP3/AVI/MP4 are all considered to be backup mediums, and as such are removed for Unauthorised Copies.
Lets not forget that a lot of the impoverished world don't have a fixed address, access to any form of media, government, banks, libraries, colleges, literature about sex and the dangers of. Also, think of the high level of literacy this will demand, aswell as perhaps the spread of the English language. It also acts as a way to increase community awareness, communication.
This is a good idea, and as has been mentioned before, I'd love to see a buy one, get one to a child that may not need one, but can certainly use one.
This isn't a hand out, it's a hand up. God knows the less fortunate in this world need it.
This isn't meant to be a solution, but merely a catalyst for the impoverished youth of today to succeed in a modern world.
Right, how is this quicker exactly? The last time I paid for something with cash or credit card it only took about 40 seconds, the long big was waiting my turn.
Now, you're telling me that instead of having an extra teller on the counter, there's a guy with a handheld scanner who needs to get a copy of all my identification, and credit card. That would take hmm... about 5 minutes.
Next time, sure they'll have my details, but wait, won't there be a queue for that aswell.
Quite simply, eBay/Paypal et al should no longer request a full length password but instead a random selection of letters from within in the password just like a lot of bank sites work, followed by a question based on your registration details.
Please enter the characters of your password that are missing:
-*-***-**
Please enter the 3rd, 5th and 6th digit of your telephone number:
***
If the login page was random on each log in, it would still take phisher at least twice the time to gather the nesscessary information. If phishers tried to imitate this kind of log in page, they'd have great difficulty in extracting all of the information that would be needed to successfully dupe somebody.
Also isn't it high time that you can verify where the information is being sent on a form without scraping through HTML?
I never said we do everything. I said there are some things in place. I think another poster mentioned the bind eBay is in. It can't assume responsibility by actively policing the site, so unless it wants to see it's stocks plummet, and the entire business model to open the floodgates, it's the intelligent (albeit not altruistic) move to make. PayPal and eBay are different companies in every manner, operations exist independently but side by side.
How hard would it be to detect and flag all those new high end Private auctions on zombie accounts posted from mismatched country/IPs.
I think I explained that this does happen, although I cant quite explain how the system works due to NDAs, I can tell you that there are preliminary detections of brute force attacks, and high cost items on shilled feedbacked accounts. What I don't think you've grasped is the sheer volume. The other huge problem is that this is not an internal problem, it is a phishing issue.
If you run Firefox, you're already probably intellingent enough to know when you've been tricked. If you're using IE, the eBay toolbar detects them, reports them and we have them taken down within a few hours.
Now, my personal opinion would be to stop allowing new registrations from China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Romania, Africa and most of eastern europe. The problem is that makes me racist, and a bigot. These guys aren't script kiddies either. They exploit the site on an hourly basis through UK zombie machines, on legitimate IPs, using legitimate (albeit stolen) information. They usually set 24 hour listings, which 98% (that's the figure internally) get caught within the first 8 hours. The rest get pulled within a 48 hour window, but often the damage is done.
Seeing as this was a BBC story, dealing with UK customers it interests me. As previously stated, I work for eBay UK so, EU is applicable. The policies in the US and UK are quite different, and I have no reason to learn US policies, so I have no intention of doing so.
Quite simply, you seem exceptionally angry that eBay seemingly did nothing, although all I'm asking for is some shred of evidence (the seller's ID perhaps?) so I can personally investigate it and maybe you'll change my mind about eBay. You can even post it here on the public forum.
You're use of language makes it difficult to discern the facts from your own interpretation of what has happened.
The fact eBay provided no evidence of action is standard practise, although in your case the strike should have been removed.
I have dealt in situations such as this where the seller has tried to charge for PayPal. The process is simple, the email is sent in with the headers, and the listing is removed (using the email including headers as evidence). The auction is considered null and void, and a warning is sent to the seller. In case where payment has already been made we will not remove the listing until the funds have been retrieved as the payment service may require evidence of transaction live on the site. Removing the listing can often cause more headaches. As eBay are not affialiated with Visa, it is up to the person who received the money to reverse it (like in a shop) or your credit card company.
The breach of policy can be dealt with on site, by taking measures against the seller, and if you wanted to take the matter further eBay will provide your solicitor with the information you'll need to take the seller to court for fraud.
If you expect to believe that the flaws are inherent to eBay's model, I won't agree.
The simple facts are this:
Fraud exists is due to greed
It's hard to prevent due to deception.
I'm commenting specifically on EU law, as that is where I am based, although to the best of my knowledge it is applicable worldwide.
I do not accept you receive no reply, a reply after 3 days, but a straight up no reply shouldn't happen. Deletions are reviewed and undealt with issues are known internally as career shortening.
There always has to be question as eBay acts merely as the moderator.
I've seen enough mails from buyers who are trying to weasel out of a deal, to know that the problems lies on both sides.
At this stage I'm very curious as to what happened here so if you'd like I'll look at the case for you, mail me on on: odd_job_ at hotmail dot com
According to EU law, you are entitled to surcharge credit merchant transactions. You can't surcharge for electronic money services though.
If you'd sent the email with headers to the Fraud dept, they will cancel the transaction for his attempt to extort the money from you, therefore nullifying the transaction so any Unpaid Buyer strikes against you.
When the seller claims the item is broken, you can place a non-selling seller strike against him. This will be investigated, and if it happens again he'll be suspended.
The major issue here is that you expect eBay to trust your side in this transaction, and completely mistrust the seller.
Only level one support is outsourced to India and the Phillipines. (General support and Billing)
Fraud is handled in Ireland, Germany, France, Canada and America with the cooperation of law enforcement agencies.
Just important to note that eBay is not a law enforcement agency, so allegations of fraud require certain factors to be there.
Also, to broadcast any investigation information or to alledge a person is committing fraud to the general public would be a highly risky move for a company to take, and possibly incurring legal liability in the case where a mistake got made.
PSUs are what we call previously suspended users. Without getting into too much detail, these are linked via phone numbers, credit card accounts, PayPal accounts, names, addresses, post code, images, servers, links, phrases and cookie crumbs. I can tell you around 4000 new members are suspended before they even get a listing on the UK site. Another 800 users are suspended hourly although it may take a few hours, and sometimes people have already bid and possibly paid for listings.
... that eBay does do quite a bit internally to find these things. I still don't quite get why people haven't grasped the concept that eBay is just a very fancy classifieds ad section, NOT an auction house.
If I was roaming the streets of Beijing, would I give my credit card to a street trader selling copied DVDs?
Do I really want to transfer money to an IBAN account in Yugoslavia?
I'll give you an example. Xbox 360s just came to market, although people were selling them well before the release date. You can of course do this, internally I can't tell if John Doe owns a small video game store, or has a brother who works in Microsoft. The policy is you have 30 days to come up with the goods. Beyond that, it's fraud. This policy is fair, it gives sellers the opportunity to sell and buyers the opportunity to buy. The problem is that the one guy who's doing this honestly is copied by twenty-nine who don't. The problem is this. What right to eBay have to make a prejudgment on the integrity of it's user base. I mean, apart from the fact that eBay is in a constant battle between creating true free markets, morality, and legality.
I personally worked on cleaning up the UK site from Chinese MP3 sellers. These guys owed us a lot of money; I'm talking nearly £500k. I was with the company 5 months and my actions were going to cost eBay a lot of money. What did eBay do? The created even tougher policies and implement new rules. The result? Difficult. The group of Chinese sellers got warehouses in the UK, and just walk the line again, without doubt they'll keep pushing it until we push back.
eBay's a victim of it's own success, and I'm of the firm belief that eBay takes a protective stance for an intelligent, trustworthy and capable user. Use of PayPal gives you a second layer of protection behind your credit card.
eBay's biggest error? The belief that people are basically good.
PS. No more cash, Western Union, Moneygram, Stormpay or instant cash transfers are allowed on the site, so hopefully whatever payment solution you use will give you the cover you need. My number 1 tip? eBay is not Amazon, you're dealing with another person, not a commercial entity, so if it looks dodgy, dodge it.
Civilisation in a child's eye.
on
Ask Sid Meier
·
· Score: 1
I would have been seven years old when Civilisation was first released. I would have been about nine when I received a copy of it, along with a photocopied manual off a friend's dad who'd received it, thinking it was an Amiga version.
I was busy getting to grips with my Dad's DECStation 316, he bought it in the hopes of catching the computer wave of the 90s, he'd only ever done accounting on paper before. He had been laid off, and I wanted an Atari ST for Christmas. It was a good compromise.
I started playing not really knowing what was going on, getting to grips with terms such as 'irrigation' and 'pillaging' were relatively new concepts to a kid who's idea of high art would have been the DeLorean.
Anyways, all I had were demo discs so I had 8 hours a day dedicated to getting my head around Communism, the Feudal System et al.
All in all, it kept me interested but much more it moulded my mind into being able to see "How things work", well somewhat.
After trying to create a world of superhumans, with an army big enough to invade a large planet, I realised that there's only so much fun in a quick tete au tete.
I eventually became a leader of a free world that allowed me to explore the depths of the universe all inside my own mind beside my computer.
Slashdot Mirror
eBay is of the main advertisers on Google, they bought over 600,000 keywords last year alone. eBay doesnt have enough static pages for Google to index it properly so this is a nesscessary evil. Without eBay's support of Google, you're taking a loss of about 10M+. That's a pretty big hand to bite.
eBay has traditionally always had competition, and if anything this only helped it grow even larger. Look at Yahoo and Amazon, they couldn't even take it. The fact is that eBay is a differenet company now, than before. It's shifted it's focus from being an "auction" site, to being a marketplace.
Google is a great speculator, and it really has to be with the way it's stock is. A tighter integration of eBay and Google would be an intelligent move, eBay is a proven company, with rising stock for the last 10 years, and continuing to post profits well above expectations. PayPal, like it or not, is still the most reliable and easiest way to pay for things, and I'm sorry, but I've used it for well over 100 transactions and unlike my credit card and bank account, I dont pay an annual fees as a customer, and as a seller, it's a lot cheaper than the cost of getting a merchant account.
The point is this, eBay stands to lose ground in the market it's saturated. Google will have to figure out how to deal with fraud, customer/seller debate and at the same time promote it's product in a non-competitive manner such that it doesn't lose it's main advertiser.
Short of that, if Google decides to lock horns with eBay, I'm pretty sure you'll see eBay take a cut in it's stock to retain and regrow it's own markets. Competition is healthy, but I really doubt that this is anything more than posturing.
On an aside, pick a popular product, Froogle it, most of the vendors I've dealt with have had huge problems, lie or deliberately mislead me on price. Now add 10 million amateurs, wannabes, and fraudsters, and tell me that I can reasonably expect a better experience than eBay.
Important This article contains information about how to modify the registry.
c es\USB
Make sure to back up the registry before you modify it. Make sure that you know how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up, restore, and modify the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
256986 (https://premier.microsoft.com/kb/256986/ [microsoft.com]) Description of the Microsoft Windows registry
SYMPTOMS
Consider the following scenario. You install Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) on a portable computer. Then, you connect a USB 2.0 device to the computer. In this scenario, the computer uses its battery power more quickly than you expect.
CAUSE
Windows XP SP2 installs a USB 2.0 driver that initializes any connected USB device. However, the USB 2.0 driver leaves the asynchronous scheduler component continuously running. This problem causes continuous instances of memory access that prevent the computer from entering the deeper Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) processor idle sleep states. These processor idle sleep states are also known as C states. For example, these include the C3 and C4 states. These sleep states are designed, in part, to save battery power. If an otherwise idle portable computer cannot enter or maintain the processor idle sleep states, the computer uses its battery power more quickly than you expect.
RESOLUTION
Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method.
These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved.
Modify the registry at your own risk. To resolve this problem, add the EnIdleEndpointSupport entry to the USB registry key.
To do this, follow these steps:
1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
2. Locate, and then click the following registry subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Servi
Note If the USB subkey does not exist, create it. To do this, follow these steps:
a. Select the Services key. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click Key.
b. Type USB in the New Key #1 box to name the new key "USB."
3. Right-click USB, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
4. In the New Value #1 box that appears, type EnIdleEndpointSupport, and then press ENTER.
5. Right-click EnIdleEndpointSupport, and then click Modify.
6. In the Value data box, type 1, leave the Hexadecimal option selected, and then click OK.
7. Quit Registry Editor.
STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.
APPLIES TO
Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2, when used with:
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Quite simply, selling a backup of any medium on eBay is strictly prohibited. A good example of where this enforced, is when a vinyl is sold with a CD-R copy of the record.
Given the fact that you can't buy movies on iTunes yet, this is a no-brainer. Even if the iPod were sold with original copies of the CD, it's still a breach, and as such can't be sold.
The real interesting point here is whether or not eBay is open to the sale of "used" MP3s, and how in fact the ownership of these items can be transferred if at all.
Currently MP3/AVI/MP4 are all considered to be backup mediums, and as such are removed for Unauthorised Copies.
One of the first intelligent repsonses I've read.
Lets not forget that a lot of the impoverished world don't have a fixed address, access to any form of media, government, banks, libraries, colleges, literature about sex and the dangers of. Also, think of the high level of literacy this will demand, aswell as perhaps the spread of the English language. It also acts as a way to increase community awareness, communication.
This is a good idea, and as has been mentioned before, I'd love to see a buy one, get one to a child that may not need one, but can certainly use one.
This isn't a hand out, it's a hand up. God knows the less fortunate in this world need it.
This isn't meant to be a solution, but merely a catalyst for the impoverished youth of today to succeed in a modern world.
Right, how is this quicker exactly? The last time I paid for something with cash or credit card it only took about 40 seconds, the long big was waiting my turn.
Now, you're telling me that instead of having an extra teller on the counter, there's a guy with a handheld scanner who needs to get a copy of all my identification, and credit card. That would take hmm... about 5 minutes.
Next time, sure they'll have my details, but wait, won't there be a queue for that aswell.
Please enter the characters of your password that are missing:
-*-***-**
Please enter the 3rd, 5th and 6th digit of your telephone number:
***
If the login page was random on each log in, it would still take phisher at least twice the time to gather the nesscessary information. If phishers tried to imitate this kind of log in page, they'd have great difficulty in extracting all of the information that would be needed to successfully dupe somebody.
Also isn't it high time that you can verify where the information is being sent on a form without scraping through HTML?
How hard would it be to detect and flag all those new high end Private auctions on zombie accounts posted from mismatched country/IPs.
I think I explained that this does happen, although I cant quite explain how the system works due to NDAs, I can tell you that there are preliminary detections of brute force attacks, and high cost items on shilled feedbacked accounts. What I don't think you've grasped is the sheer volume. The other huge problem is that this is not an internal problem, it is a phishing issue.
If you run Firefox, you're already probably intellingent enough to know when you've been tricked. If you're using IE, the eBay toolbar detects them, reports them and we have them taken down within a few hours.
Now, my personal opinion would be to stop allowing new registrations from China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Romania, Africa and most of eastern europe. The problem is that makes me racist, and a bigot. These guys aren't script kiddies either. They exploit the site on an hourly basis through UK zombie machines, on legitimate IPs, using legitimate (albeit stolen) information. They usually set 24 hour listings, which 98% (that's the figure internally) get caught within the first 8 hours. The rest get pulled within a 48 hour window, but often the damage is done.
Seeing as this was a BBC story, dealing with UK customers it interests me. As previously stated, I work for eBay UK so, EU is applicable. The policies in the US and UK are quite different, and I have no reason to learn US policies, so I have no intention of doing so. Quite simply, you seem exceptionally angry that eBay seemingly did nothing, although all I'm asking for is some shred of evidence (the seller's ID perhaps?) so I can personally investigate it and maybe you'll change my mind about eBay. You can even post it here on the public forum. You're use of language makes it difficult to discern the facts from your own interpretation of what has happened. The fact eBay provided no evidence of action is standard practise, although in your case the strike should have been removed. I have dealt in situations such as this where the seller has tried to charge for PayPal. The process is simple, the email is sent in with the headers, and the listing is removed (using the email including headers as evidence). The auction is considered null and void, and a warning is sent to the seller. In case where payment has already been made we will not remove the listing until the funds have been retrieved as the payment service may require evidence of transaction live on the site. Removing the listing can often cause more headaches. As eBay are not affialiated with Visa, it is up to the person who received the money to reverse it (like in a shop) or your credit card company. The breach of policy can be dealt with on site, by taking measures against the seller, and if you wanted to take the matter further eBay will provide your solicitor with the information you'll need to take the seller to court for fraud. If you expect to believe that the flaws are inherent to eBay's model, I won't agree. The simple facts are this: Fraud exists is due to greed It's hard to prevent due to deception.
I'm commenting specifically on EU law, as that is where I am based, although to the best of my knowledge it is applicable worldwide. I do not accept you receive no reply, a reply after 3 days, but a straight up no reply shouldn't happen. Deletions are reviewed and undealt with issues are known internally as career shortening. There always has to be question as eBay acts merely as the moderator. I've seen enough mails from buyers who are trying to weasel out of a deal, to know that the problems lies on both sides. At this stage I'm very curious as to what happened here so if you'd like I'll look at the case for you, mail me on on: odd_job_ at hotmail dot com
According to EU law, you are entitled to surcharge credit merchant transactions. You can't surcharge for electronic money services though. If you'd sent the email with headers to the Fraud dept, they will cancel the transaction for his attempt to extort the money from you, therefore nullifying the transaction so any Unpaid Buyer strikes against you. When the seller claims the item is broken, you can place a non-selling seller strike against him. This will be investigated, and if it happens again he'll be suspended. The major issue here is that you expect eBay to trust your side in this transaction, and completely mistrust the seller.
Only level one support is outsourced to India and the Phillipines. (General support and Billing) Fraud is handled in Ireland, Germany, France, Canada and America with the cooperation of law enforcement agencies.
Just important to note that eBay is not a law enforcement agency, so allegations of fraud require certain factors to be there. Also, to broadcast any investigation information or to alledge a person is committing fraud to the general public would be a highly risky move for a company to take, and possibly incurring legal liability in the case where a mistake got made. PSUs are what we call previously suspended users. Without getting into too much detail, these are linked via phone numbers, credit card accounts, PayPal accounts, names, addresses, post code, images, servers, links, phrases and cookie crumbs. I can tell you around 4000 new members are suspended before they even get a listing on the UK site. Another 800 users are suspended hourly although it may take a few hours, and sometimes people have already bid and possibly paid for listings.
... that eBay does do quite a bit internally to find these things. I still don't quite get why people haven't grasped the concept that eBay is just a very fancy classifieds ad section, NOT an auction house.
If I was roaming the streets of Beijing, would I give my credit card to a street trader selling copied DVDs?
Do I really want to transfer money to an IBAN account in Yugoslavia?
I'll give you an example. Xbox 360s just came to market, although people were selling them well before the release date. You can of course do this, internally I can't tell if John Doe owns a small video game store, or has a brother who works in Microsoft. The policy is you have 30 days to come up with the goods. Beyond that, it's fraud. This policy is fair, it gives sellers the opportunity to sell and buyers the opportunity to buy. The problem is that the one guy who's doing this honestly is copied by twenty-nine who don't. The problem is this. What right to eBay have to make a prejudgment on the integrity of it's user base. I mean, apart from the fact that eBay is in a constant battle between creating true free markets, morality, and legality.
I personally worked on cleaning up the UK site from Chinese MP3 sellers. These guys owed us a lot of money; I'm talking nearly £500k. I was with the company 5 months and my actions were going to cost eBay a lot of money. What did eBay do? The created even tougher policies and implement new rules. The result? Difficult. The group of Chinese sellers got warehouses in the UK, and just walk the line again, without doubt they'll keep pushing it until we push back.
eBay's a victim of it's own success, and I'm of the firm belief that eBay takes a protective stance for an intelligent, trustworthy and capable user. Use of PayPal gives you a second layer of protection behind your credit card.
eBay's biggest error? The belief that people are basically good.
PS. No more cash, Western Union, Moneygram, Stormpay or instant cash transfers are allowed on the site, so hopefully whatever payment solution you use will give you the cover you need. My number 1 tip? eBay is not Amazon, you're dealing with another person, not a commercial entity, so if it looks dodgy, dodge it.
I would have been seven years old when Civilisation was first released. I would have been about nine when I received a copy of it, along with a photocopied manual off a friend's dad who'd received it, thinking it was an Amiga version.
I was busy getting to grips with my Dad's DECStation 316, he bought it in the hopes of catching the computer wave of the 90s, he'd only ever done accounting on paper before. He had been laid off, and I wanted an Atari ST for Christmas. It was a good compromise.
I started playing not really knowing what was going on, getting to grips with terms such as 'irrigation' and 'pillaging' were relatively new concepts to a kid who's idea of high art would have been the DeLorean.
Anyways, all I had were demo discs so I had 8 hours a day dedicated to getting my head around Communism, the Feudal System et al.
All in all, it kept me interested but much more it moulded my mind into being able to see "How things work", well somewhat.
After trying to create a world of superhumans, with an army big enough to invade a large planet, I realised that there's only so much fun in a quick tete au tete.
I eventually became a leader of a free world that allowed me to explore the depths of the universe all inside my own mind beside my computer.
So for the education sir, thank you.