In message 477513b0@qaanaaq, at 15:18:08 on Fri, 28 Dec 2007, Andy
Hall remarked:
For buying relatively low-value, possibly hard-to-obtain items I
don't know of anything better; and have made/saved so much (in terms
of cash and time) over the years that when the odd one goes bad (as
it recently did with me as mentioned elsewhere in this thread) that
I'm prepared to swallow that).

I can't think of that many items that I buy that would fall into that
category though. I certainly use on-line traders quite a bit, but
don't tend to find things that I would want on Ebay.

I have found many items on eBay that are unobtainable elsewhere. Well,
unless you happen to know the one specialist shop in the country, that
doesn't have a website, and which might have the item if you are lucky.

I'm currently looking for a Pentium II processor chip for a 1990's
Compaq server; any offers on a shop that might have one? There's one on
eBay for £8.95, and frankly, if it arrives and doesn't work I'll just
chuck it and try again.

But you certainly wouldn't catch me buying something like a new
laptop through ebay...!

Right. It's the cost/time/risk equation.

To me, the most expensive component is time,

And for many retired folks, housewives, unemployed, part-time workers,
time is their greatest asset.

One size doesn't fit all.
--
Roland Perry