Dwight, of course people will continue to buy items in other places than eBay.
But, how many places can you go and find 800,000 items for sale?
How many pieces of Roseville pottery can you find in your home town? In my town of about 100,000, I can find about 3 pieces for sale at any given time. (I can find 900 pieces today on eBay).
How many computer items are for sale at your local CompUSA? (There are 30,000 up for bid on eBay.)
If you have a few older computers for sale, what are your choices? Place an as in the local newspaper? Run a yard sale? Or, put it to the high bidder on eBay? (Your local newspaper will cost you a lot more. In addition, I think many people are reluctant to let total strangers in their house on the chance they buy the computer.)
It sounds like you have not purchased anything off of eBay. I have purchased dozens of antiques, and I can tell you that I get excited about every one that has shown up at my door. I also purchased a Thinkpad 770, 14.1" TFT, DVD, etc off of eBay for $3000, when everyone else wanted $5000 for it.
I have no doubt that eBay will grow to 10 times it current size within two to three years. (Beyond that, I won't venture to guess.)
My only real disappointment with eBay is its current stock price, which even I find outrageous.
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