You know you've got too much time on your hands wh

[Just Plain Curt]

Just curious, once in a while when there's nothing interesting to bid on I'll click on eBay's advanced search, then find a member, then type in either a camera related topic and an asterisk or a camera brand and an asterisk just to see how many people either use a similar name, collect similar things, or are located in my vicinity. Stumbled on this once when I was off work sick for several months and reading eBay help topics. For instance type in praktica* or shutterbug* or camera*. Usually you'll see about 15 near or exact matches to your search from all over the world. I usually look for user names with ME pages. It's interesting reading others interests, how they came to collect etc. Sometimes you'll see a friend, a familiar name from bidding wars or just a service you might use ie. camera repairs.
I know, I have too much time on my hands, LOL but in just five minutes I have sheets (I print out virtually everything so I have hard copies of all my research) of zenit*, praktica*, pentax*, minolta*, lens*, photo*, camera*, aperture*, and shutterbug*. Kills time at the least.

[herron]

weirdcollector said:

Just curious, once in a while when there's nothing interesting to bid on I'll click on eBay's advanced search, then find a member, then type in either a camera related topic and an asterisk or a camera brand and an asterisk just to see how many people either use a similar name, collect similar things, or are located in my vicinity. Stumbled on this once when I was off work sick for several months and reading eBay help topics. For instance type in praktica* or shutterbug* or camera*. Usually you'll see about 15 near or exact matches to your search from all over the world. I usually look for user names with ME pages. It's interesting reading others interests, how they came to collect etc. Sometimes you'll see a friend, a familiar name from bidding wars or just a service you might use ie. camera repairs......

Curt:
Then you've probably stumbled across my eBay "Me" page, and all it's rambling discourse! ;D

[John Parry]

Curt,

I've a great feedback rating on eBay, but quite a lot of the stuff I've bought has been tat. I tend to give feedback ratings on the basis of "as described". Trouble is, I only realise that it isn't 'as described' six months down the line. New Year's Resolution? No mercy. Don't buy it unless you need it, and evaluate it straight away. Other New Year's Resolution? Try not to die!

Regards - John