[Leica] Just curious

[jshul at comcast.net (Jim Shulman)]

Robert,

Two reasons: sloth and fraud.

Sloth, because they don't want to fill out the various customs forms, simple
though that may be.  It also means that they would need to get a foreign
shipping quote--again, additional work, or to use a shipper that would
require additional forms/packaging/etc. for any package outside the
contiguous 48 states.

Fraud, because (in the case of E-b*y) of the problem of bidders from foreign
countries who do not follow-through with their purchase, or try to pay with
stolen credit cards, etc.  This is more of a problem in some areas (for
instance, vintage Hi-Fi and Stereo equipment) than others.  I received a
warning on another camera e-group, noting a fraudster who had copied the
exact picture and text of a previously-ended eB*y auction, offering the
"item" for sale.  The person alerting the group (and eB*y) to the fake had
made the purchase from the original, legitimate, and had the rare item in
his possession.

The success of web selling depends on extreme convenience for both sellers
and buyers, particularly sellers.  Any complications will lead people to
just leave items in the back closet.  

Best,
Jim Shulman
Bryn Mawr, PA