So I guess the rating next to someone's username really does mean something.

On eBay it DOES make a difference, but to compare that rating system to the karma system here is...well, ludicrous. 

Generally speaking the movie industry is on piracy like flies on fresh excrement, but sometimes these things take time to resolve.

Five years or so ago the flea market I was selling at (and still sell at) had a rule AGAINST selling any DVD movies as they thought any resale was wrong and it enabledl them NOT TO LOOK FOR priated movies.

We were able to successfully fight that (as a group of vendors) but the pirates persisted. At one point I notified the MPAA of a continuing violator that the flea market people just could not seem to curtail for some reason. Guess they came in as daily sellers under different names each time, etc.

Over the course of a couple of months though the MPAA sent in agents and they nailed these guys big time including confiscation of all pirated movies, vehicles used to transport them, and beyond that probably some stuff at home too. The fine if convicted is I think in the range of $50,000 or so and I'm sure there are enhancements for multiple instances etc.

I haven't looked lately at the guidelines for blocking zero feedback buyers but as i recall a couple of years ago they made it in such a way that you essentially CAN'T block these people.

In a way that makes sense since everyone starts out at that point and SOMEBODY has to sell them their first item.

In the case below it was a double whammy (not yet totally resolved).  See the link below for how it got started, but basically, fellow who has zero feedback and lives in Austrailia, "bought" a buy it now from me and hasn't paid for it yet despite a note I sent him that ..."I have your item packed and ready to ship, just waiting for your payment".  That was four days after his purchase.  Seven days after his purchase I started a "case" with eBay for non-payment and of course that entails waiting another 5 days or so for them to clear it out.

Only happens once in a while, but irritating none-the-less.

http://storageauctionforums.com/ebay/surprise-email-from-ebay/

I think every forum needs someone like MovieMan, it would just be plain boring without him. 

Why does it seems like every time you log on, one of the regulars around here has their smite count go up?

Probably for the same reason that every time I sign on here it seems my smite count has gone up. Darn gremlins ! 

Why stop at 100 go for 200

You obviously haven't heard...a journey of a 1,000 miles begins with a single step.

Went to two auctions recently with total of maybe 5 lockers.

First place had an OK 10 x 30 which went for an OK $250. Some good stuff showing but I just decided I had enough stuff for now and one can only STORE so much extra stuff.

***

There was also a 1998 Honda "something" (a two door coupe) which was very clean on outside and very dusty inside (both windows were rolled down and it was covered by a tattered car cover).  This car had 2004 registration sticker on the plate and it looked like it had been sitting there for the last 9 years.

The car started at $25 (by the auctioneer) went to $75 and then a young turk in a Metallica wife-beater shirt shouted $300 like his bravado would scare everyone off. He learned it wouldn't when about 3 others chimed in, but only he and one other were left at the $1,300 range and he got it for that.

I asked the other bidder what he said it might sell for and he indicated maybe $3,000. You car guys can chime in here. Would a car sitting for 9 years have any special needs for getting it going. Don't fluids dry out, gaskets, etc? Seems like a fair amount of work IF  the engine/transmission are even good at all.

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We moved on to the last locker a 10 x 10 with 2" of leaves at the front edge of the locker when the door went up.
This one went for $250 to GUESS WHO...yep, the strutting Metallica "kid".  I wish I could describe the "swagger" of his step as he moved to lock it up. Needless to say (IMO) this newbie is in for a couple of lessons in buying...I'm not a car guy but I think I am right about that Honda not being a winner at the price he paid.

I didn't think to check ebay for boxes.. I just placed an order with uline, which isn't bad pricing, but they charge shipping which puts the cost of each box around $.80 ea. for a 12x8x6 adjustable height

Check this one out; they have a variety of sizes and quanties to choose from and the shipping is free.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2053587.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0&_nkw=250+White+Corrugated+Shipping+Mailer&_sacat=0&_from=R40