edited

[SMPEP]

The * change was a collosally stupid idea for Ebay.

For example if I want to search for the 1952 high numbers (not using the word Hi or High, because some listers might not put it in the title) I used to be able to use the * feature to craft 10 searches (1952 Topps 32*, for example). Now I need 97 searches because I can no longer do this.

And what does this mean? It means I've stopped searching for 1952 Topps high numbers (unless they have High or Hi in them).

So sellers get screwed because I don't bid. (Better for my wallet though!)

But Ebay doesn't really care if I don't bid because like real estate agents, they don't really care what the sales price is. The commission difference between a $50 sale and a $40 sale isn't a big deal. They want a fast sale, and more sales. Getting the highest $ sale is essentially meaningless to them.

Of course following the business model of real estate agents isn't real smart because one day in the not too distant future we'll wake up in a world where real estate agents no longer exist (the computer can completely replace their "service"). Ebay is in danger of a similar fate.

Cheers,
Patrick