Question:
I’m surprised no one is looking at the other side of the coin. If all of the BUYERS felt this way, no one would bid on anything at all, because even though the payment can be via PayPal, there’s just about no way for a buyer to avoid receiving something (the item) via the mail (or another delivery service) from a total stranger. So shouldn’t buyers be more worried about this than sellers? And if they were as worried about it as you are, where would that leave eBay, and all of its sellers?
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Let me start off by saying I’m in NJ, one of the states where anthrax has been found. I’m starting to get nervous even though I know that an individual’s chances of contracting this disease are zero. Anyhow, I’m seriously thinking of either a)quitting my auctions til this blows over, or b)doing PayPal only. I’m honestly afraid of opening up mail from strangers. What’s to stop someone from bidding on stuff and sending out anthrax contaminated payments? Am I overreacting? Andrea It’s all about the Ride
Response:
I’m surprised no one is looking at the other side of the coin. If all of the BUYERS felt this way, no one would bid on anything at all, because even
though the payment can be via PayPal, there’s just about no way for a buyer to avoid receiving something (the item) via the mail (or another delivery service) from a total stranger. So shouldn’t buyers be more worried about
this than sellers? And if they were as worried about it as you are, where would that leave eBay, and all of its sellers? Well, I think that buyer hesitation is a valid concern for buyers. I’ve added "UPS Shipping readily available on request" to a prominent location in my ads. I have also ordered pre-printed return address labels, because the USPS memo specifically mentions handwritten labels as a warning. Half.com sent out a decent list of suggestions, but I don’t think I kept it. Probably should have posted it here. I wish eBay were more proactive in keeping buyers feeling secure about receiving shipments. Personally, I’d rather eat Anthrax than allow those spineless cowards to influence my behavior. But I feel that I need to address the concerns of buyers who don’t agree, if I can. Angie
Response:
1 – There are 300,000,000 million people in the US. 4 have died of inhalation anthrax (one for each 75,000,000). There are about 20 other people with some form of the disease (one of 15,000,000). What you should worry about is exposure to this winter’s flu and auto accidents.
Here in Ohio more people have contracted Legionaires Disease recently than all the Antrax infections in the US. And nobody knows how they caught this as they have nothing in common. But it wouldnt make too much sense to start avoiding all air-conditioned buildings as a precaution. Years ago there was a famous drug trial wher the state tried to convict the guy by saying the money they consficated contained cocaine residue. The defense countered by obtaining a lot of paper money from the bank, washing it and having a laboratory asses the residue in the water. They found that drug deals are so pervasive in this country that ALL money is contaminated by a very slight amt. of cocaine, yours, mine, and the banks. Now wouldnt it be wild if it turns out that there is a slight residue of Anthrax (and maybe a host of other junk) EVERYWHERE and no matter what place you check out, it will appear very slightly contaminated. Maybe the "terrorists" dont even exist. Obviously the letters exist, but many of the contaminated sites are not associated with those letter. Since the govt stated that most of the contamination is so low it presents little or no danger, I really wonder if this could be the case.
Response:
Let me start off by saying I’m in NJ, one of the states where anthrax has been found. I’m starting to get nervous even though I know that an individual’s chances of contracting this disease are zero. Anyhow, I’m seriously thinking of either a)quitting my auctions til this blows over, or b)doing PayPal only. I’m honestly afraid of opening up mail from strangers. What’s to stop someone from bidding on stuff and sending out anthrax contaminated payments? Am I overreacting? Andrea
Sorry this is ridiculous. Perhaps people should stop bidding on your auctions incase they get something from the delivery. Ebay and all online auctions etc are a trust basis to some extent. Perhaps as you suggest you should stop auctions until this ends but the decision is of course yours http://www.peter.leach1.btinternet.co.uk/index.html RMS Majestic — Doctor Who — Irish Setter Freemasonry — Belfast Hippodrome — Family Awards program
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Here is the half.com e-mail Angie was referring to. Sparky Dear Half.com Seller, In light of the recent events involving postal packages, we at Half.com want to provide you with some information and guidelines to help reduce any shipping delays, inquires or problems associated with your Half.com shipments. As Postmaster General, John Potter stated, the current postal concern is a concern for mailers and shippers nationwide. As you probably know, there is a heightened sense of alert among receivers of postal packages, but you can help the situation by following a few simple guidelines with your packages: 1. Your shipments should be neatly packaged, clean and professional in appearance. Consider using professional packaging materials to make this an easier process for you. You can find packaging materials like this from most office supply stores, discount retail stores and eBay. 2. The buyer’s shipping address and your return address should be printed clearly and correctly. Always put your return address on every package you ship out. 3. Write the phrase YOUR HALF.COM SHIPMENT directly below the buyer’s shipping address to clearly identify your package. 4. Make sure the items you are shipping are in the condition you would expect to receive them in. They should be clean and free of dust, cobwebs, etc. Please understand that shipping times may be delayed as added security measures are added to the USPS. shipping processes. Be assured we are in the process of communicating these delays to Half.com buyers as well to help them understand and anticipate possible shipping delays associated with their Half.com packages. We want to thank you for you added understanding during this time. The Half.com Team This an automated email – please do not reply. If you have any questions, please visit the Half.com Help Desk at http://half.com/help. We hope you are pleased to receive special offers and updates from Half.com. However, if you no longer wish to receive messages such as this, simply click here to log into your Half.com account and uncheck the box regarding special Half.com email updates.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m surprised no one is looking at the other side of the coin. If all of the BUYERS felt this way, no one would bid on anything at all, because even though the payment can be via PayPal, there’s just about no way for a buyer to avoid receiving something (the item) via the mail (or another delivery service) from a total stranger. So shouldn’t buyers be more worried about this than sellers? And if they were as worried about it as you are, where would that leave eBay, and all of its sellers? Well, I think that buyer hesitation is a valid concern for buyers. I’ve added "UPS Shipping readily available on request" to a prominent location in my ads. I have also ordered pre-printed return address labels, because the USPS memo specifically mentions handwritten labels as a warning. Half.com sent out a decent list of suggestions, but I don’t think I kept it. Probably should have posted it here. I wish eBay were more proactive in keeping buyers feeling secure about receiving shipments. Personally, I’d rather eat Anthrax than allow those spineless cowards to influence my behavior. But I feel that I need to address the concerns of buyers who don’t agree, if I can. Angie
Response:
I thought about doing that. I live in NYC. I was going to post on my auctions that: "Payments accepted: PayPal/Money Order/ Check. If you live in NJ I will only accept PayPal" But then I though, screw it! I might be excluding potential high bidders. Why am I going to let this run my life and how I do things! It starts on eBay, next thing you know I’m never leaving my house! Anyway, I think you should accept payment. The one thing these terrorist messed up on was, they chose a virus we can cure! Hell, did you know the Flu claimed 6000 lives last year. You don’t hear anybody getting riled up over that!
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Let me start off by saying I’m in NJ, one of the states where anthrax has been found. I’m starting to get nervous even though I know that an individual’s chances of contracting this disease are zero. Anyhow, I’m seriously thinking of either a)quitting my auctions til this blows over, or b)doing PayPal only. I’m honestly afraid of opening up mail from strangers. What’s to stop someone from bidding on stuff and sending out anthrax contaminated payments? Am I overreacting? Yes, you are. Don’t let those bastards scare you. — "This is a test of the Emergency Broadcast System. This is only a test. Had this been an actual emergency, you’d be writhing on the ground in unspeakable agony, bleeding from every orifice, with your blackened skin falling away in ragged strips."
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Let me start off by saying I’m in NJ, one of the states where anthrax has been found. I’m starting to get nervous even though I know that an individual’s chances of contracting this disease are zero. Anyhow, I’m seriously thinking of either a)quitting my auctions til this blows over, or b)doing PayPal only. I’m honestly afraid of opening up mail from strangers. What’s to stop someone from bidding on stuff and sending out anthrax contaminated payments? Am I overreacting? Andrea It’s all about the Ride
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Let me start off by saying I’m in NJ, one of the states where anthrax has been found. I’m starting to get nervous even though I know that an individual’s chances of contracting this disease are zero. Anyhow, I’m seriously thinking of either a)quitting my auctions til this blows over, or b)doing PayPal only. I’m honestly afraid of opening up mail from strangers. What’s to stop someone from bidding on stuff and sending out anthrax contaminated payments? Am I overreacting? Andrea
I would think so. The anthrax stuff doesn’t come cheap. Why would it be wasted on "nobodies" like you or me? Meaning, actually targeting us with the ‘thrax inside… As far as the residue being on the outside of the envelope because of it having passed through a contaminated PO, as you say, apprx. zero chance of danger by the time it gets to you or me. — Mac (doogle)
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Let me start off by saying I’m in NJ, one of the states where anthrax has been found. I’m starting to get nervous even though I know that an individual’s chances of contracting this disease are zero. Anyhow, I’m seriously thinking of either a)quitting my auctions til this blows over, or b)doing PayPal only. I’m honestly afraid of opening up mail from strangers. What’s to stop someone from bidding on stuff and sending out anthrax contaminated payments? Am I overreacting?
This may be an unpopular response, but yes, I think you are. For pretty much my entire life (I’m 26) we in the UK have had to worry about IRA (and other terrorist) bombs. That includes letter bombs, and I should think most people in Britain at least have an acquaintance who has been at least indirectly affected by one. I’ve opened plenty of letters from Belfast in my life, and I wouldn’t really consider not doing so. It’s not only the IRA either – people like the Animal Liberation Front have used letter bombs. I know more than one person (not family, but I know them) who’s been affected by the ALF, usually because they were too thick to understand what the research these people were doing actually was. (I’m being deliberately vague for a reason here, as I’m sure you’ll understand.) Please understand that I’m not criticising *you* for being worried – it’s only natural to fear anthrax. It’s also natural to fear a bomb in the post. But the risk to you from opening a letter/parcel which: a) you are expecting, b) has a return address on the back (I assume you insist on this already; if not, start doing so now) is about as small as it’s going to get. Let’s face it, anyone who you’ve dealt with in the past might still have your address – what’s to stop them sending you something nasty? Keep a watchful eye, and be suspicious of unsolicited mail, but stopping all contact by post is a bit like refusing to go anywhere by air. I think eBay communications are likely, if anything, to be safer than the norm. I hope this helps you a bit. Take care; David. — Sceptical scrutiny is the means, in both science and religion, by which deep insights can be winnowed from deep nonsense — Carl Sagan The GPL Scrapyard returns (slowly): http://www.hillclimbfan.f2s.com
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"Peter Leach – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Let me start off by saying I’m in NJ, one of the states where anthrax has been found. I’m starting to get nervous even though I know that an individual’s chances of contracting this disease are zero. Anyhow, I’m seriously thinking of either a)quitting my auctions til this blows over, or b)doing PayPal only. I’m honestly afraid of opening up mail from strangers. What’s to stop someone from bidding on stuff and sending out anthrax contaminated payments? Am I overreacting? Andrea Sorry this is ridiculous. Perhaps people should stop bidding on your auctions incase they get something from the delivery. Ebay and all online auctions etc are a trust basis to some extent. Perhaps as you suggest you should stop auctions until this ends but the decision is of course yours
This is not at all ridiculous. I too am in NJ, and have been considering the same thing. I get hundreds of checks and money orders each week and you never know. Not that I think my ass will be targeted, but the possibility exists that something can be picked up while going thru the sorting process.
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MyWholesaleSource.com wrote This is not at all ridiculous. I too am in NJ, and have been considering the same thing. I get hundreds of checks and money orders each week and you never know. Not that I think my ass will be targeted, but the possibility exists that something can be picked up while going thru the sorting process.
You’re safer now, than you were a month ago – when no one knew anthrax was being sent through the mail. Kris
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Let me start off by saying I’m in NJ, one of the states where anthrax has been found. I’m starting to get nervous even though I know that an individual’s chances of contracting this disease are zero. Anyhow, I’m seriously thinking of either a)quitting my auctions til this blows over, or b)doing PayPal only. I’m honestly afraid of opening up mail from strangers. What’s to stop someone from bidding on stuff and sending out anthrax contaminated payments? Am I overreacting?
Yes, you are. Don’t let those bastards scare you. — "This is a test of the Emergency Broadcast System. This is only a test. Had this been an actual emergency, you’d be writhing on the ground in unspeakable agony, bleeding from every orifice, with your blackened skin falling away in ragged strips."
Response:
Let me start off by saying I’m in NJ, one of the states where anthrax has been found. I’m starting to get nervous even though I know that an individual’s chances of contracting this disease are zero. Anyhow, I’m seriously thinking of either a)quitting my auctions til this blows over, or b)doing PayPal only. I’m honestly afraid of opening up mail from strangers. What’s to stop someone from bidding on stuff and sending out anthrax contaminated payments? Am I overreacting? Andrea It’s all about the Ride
Considering your risk of death or injury is far greater every time you hop in your car to do an errand, (Far more people die in car accidents every year than have died from anthrax yet… ) then I’d say, yes, you are overreacting a bit. It’s reasonable to be worried, but limiting your auctions to one payment method may hurt your bidding. I’d say take reasonable precautions when handling your mail and carry on. Get familiar with the symptoms so that if by some remote chance you get infected, you’ll know to see a doctor pronto. Knowledge is power. However, only YOU can evaluate your stress level over this… if the idea of handling mail creates that kind of stress in your life, then it may be best to do what you are thinking about. We all know that stress can be a silent killer. Cynthia
Response:
Let me start off by saying I’m in NJ, one of the states where anthrax has been found. I’m starting to get nervous even though I know that an individual’s chances of contracting this disease are zero. Anyhow, I’m seriously thinking of either a)quitting my auctions til this blows over, or b)doing PayPal only. I’m honestly afraid of opening up mail from strangers. What’s to stop someone from bidding on stuff and sending out anthrax contaminated payments? Am I overreacting? Andrea It’s all about the Ride
Where would they get Anthrax?? It isn’t that easy to come by you know, despite what the media may lead you to believe…
Response:
I’d suggest folks who worry about this on E-Bay take a look at this link: http://www.somethingawful.com/news/10-24-2001/anthrax/index.htm
and here I thought I was one of the important people 
You can’t know every piece of mail as today I got an ebay payment by Airbourne Express with the person’s business as the sender’s address so I had no idea.
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I’d suggest folks who worry about this on E-Bay take a look at this link: http://www.somethingawful.com/news/10-24-2001/anthrax/index.htm and here I thought I was one of the important people You can’t know every piece of mail as today I got an ebay payment by Airbourne Express with the person’s business as the sender’s address so I had no idea.
THAT should be a safe piece of mail! It had to either go directly from your buyer to the Express people he deals with regularly, or through the mail room at the office (they’d know him also). I doubt that *anything* hand-delivered or sent express is going to be dangerous. It’s those nasty, leaky cheapy envelopes you gotta watch out for. Our terrorist(s) seem(s) to be very cheap; doesn’t even bother using Priority Mail for his "precious" cargo. Kris
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Let me start off by saying I’m in NJ, one of the states where anthrax has been found. I’m starting to get nervous even though I know that an individual’s chances of contracting this disease are zero. Anyhow, I’m seriously thinking of either a)quitting my auctions til this blows over, or b)doing PayPal only. I’m honestly afraid of opening up mail from strangers. What’s to stop someone from bidding on stuff and sending out anthrax contaminated payments? Am I overreacting? Andrea It’s all about the Ride Where would they get Anthrax?? It isn’t that easy to come by you know, despite what the media may lead you to believe…
While I think the fear of someone purposfully sending anthrax tainted payment to a seller is unfounded, there are some new risks to evaluate now-a-days. There is a very minor chance that an otherwise safe letter could become contaminated if it is handled with a tainted letter. The risk of such transmision is very minuscule, to nil in most cases. The number of spores transmitted in this manner might not be enough to cause harm, but on the other hand, the letter carriers and processors are at risk simply by being around the letters while it is being handled, so I guess there is a tiny risk of here too. It’s amazing that we are focusing so much on these infections, when many more people die every day from more mundane things. Although this is a bit more disturbing because someone is purposefully trying to cause harm, instead of it being an accident. Since there is a minor risk, and the alternative is just as easy (if not easier IMHO) to use – why not use it? Electronic payments are a great time saver for me, not just on eBay, but I pay my utilties this way too. My phone company and visa take payments over the Internet and my electric, water and gas companies have a phone payment system. Although many more people die in car accidents every day, than from anthrax, and I think I am unlikely to be in a car accident – I still wear my seat belt. Many people die each year from slipping and falls each year, and although I think I am pretty sure on my feet, I still make sure I wear sturdy shoes and use handrails. Millions of people die of coronary artery disease, and although my chol level was 157 when they last tested, I still limit the amount of meat I eat. It’s all about minimizing risks, while continueing on with your life. So – does this mean that because I use electronic payments, the terrosists have won? No, they only win if we are scared and frightened. Minimizing your risks, something you do every day anyway, is not being scared, it’s being prudent. Off my soapbox for now, -wherzmypants
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I’d suggest folks who worry about this on E-Bay take a look at this link: http://www.somethingawful.com/news/10-24-2001/anthrax/index.htm Let me start off by saying I’m in NJ, one of the states where anthrax has been found. I’m starting to get nervous even though I know that an individual’s chances of contracting this disease are zero. Anyhow, I’m seriously thinking of either a)quitting my auctions til this blows over, or b)doing PayPal only. I’m honestly afraid of opening up mail from strangers. What’s to stop someone from bidding on stuff and sending out anthrax contaminated payments? Am I overreacting? Andrea It’s all about the Ride
| home.freeuk.net/chrismc | | ‘I don’t practice what I preach because I’m not the kind of person | | I’m preaching to.’ – J.R. "Bob" Dobbs |
Response:
I have a feeling that the Anthrax situation is not being perpetrated by a Taliban operative, but someone here in the United States who is trying to take advantage of a situation for his or her own personal gain. A while back some White Supremacists had some Anthrax and were arrested prior to being able to do anything nasty with it. Anyone who has a lab and the right paperwork, whether forged or otherwise, is able to obtain Anthrax for testing purposes. And yes, even these people probably don’t think you or I matter. They’ll be going after CEO’s, banks, research facilities, colleges, the White House or Capitol (capital or capitol? I always try to misspell that word), the once hallowed halls of Congress and the Senate, the Supreme Court, etc. But maybe you work at one of the above-mentioned places? Just take the necessary precautions, wear a mask if it makes you feel better, as Kris said discard unfamiliar mail (and pre-approved credit card apps), wash your hands afterwards (or boil ‘em in Lysol if you’re REALLY stressed, LOL) and just go forward in life with the faith that things will be okay if you practice a little common sense. Above all don’t stress. Stress IS the silent killer, and it does other things too. It causes tension with people you love, it causes health problems which are sometimes subtle, sometimes life-threatening or crippling. And it’s not a healthy way to live. Relax, survive, live. That’s just my opinion, I could be wrong. Sparky "The Spammer" "Proudly existing on more kill files than anyone else"
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Let me start off by saying I’m in NJ, one of the states where anthrax has been found. I’m starting to get nervous even though I know that an individual’s chances of contracting this disease are zero. Anyhow, I’m seriously thinking of either a)quitting my auctions til this blows over, or b)doing PayPal only. I’m honestly afraid of opening up mail from strangers. What’s to stop someone from bidding on stuff and sending out anthrax contaminated payments? Am I overreacting? Andrea It’s all about the Ride Where would they get Anthrax?? It isn’t that easy to come by you know, despite what the media may lead you to believe… While I think the fear of someone purposfully sending anthrax tainted payment to a seller is unfounded, there are some new risks to evaluate now-a-days. There is a very minor chance that an otherwise safe letter could become contaminated if it is handled with a tainted letter. The risk of such transmision is very minuscule, to nil in most cases. The number of spores transmitted in this manner might not be enough to cause harm, but on the other hand, the letter carriers and processors are at risk simply by being around the letters while it is being handled, so I guess there is a tiny risk of here too. It’s amazing that we are focusing so much on these infections, when many more people die every day from more mundane things. Although this is a bit more disturbing because someone is purposefully trying to cause harm, instead of it being an accident. Since there is a minor risk, and the alternative is just as easy (if not easier IMHO) to use – why not use it? Electronic payments are a great time saver for me, not just on eBay, but I pay my utilties this way too. My phone company and visa take payments over the Internet and my electric, water and gas companies have a phone payment system. Although many more people die in car accidents every day, than from anthrax, and I think I am unlikely to be in a car accident – I still wear my seat belt. Many people die each year from slipping and falls each year, and although I think I am pretty sure on my feet, I still make sure I wear sturdy shoes and use handrails. Millions of people die of coronary artery disease, and although my chol level was 157 when they last tested, I still limit the amount of meat I eat. It’s all about minimizing risks, while continueing on with your life. So – does this mean that because I use electronic payments, the terrosists have won? No, they only win if we are scared and frightened. Minimizing your risks, something you do every day anyway, is not being scared, it’s being prudent. Off my soapbox for now, -wherzmypants
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3 – Would someone open an eBay account just to send tainted mail to eBay sellers? That’s pretty inefficient, and they’d probably get so confused when LOL! (I’m sorry, but I had to.) Angie
So did I Kris
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Thanks – best laugh today! Many a true word … – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’d suggest folks who worry about this on E-Bay take a look at this link: http://www.somethingawful.com/news/10-24-2001/anthrax/index.htm Let me start off by saying I’m in NJ, one of the states where anthrax has been found. I’m starting to get nervous even though I know that an individual’s chances of contracting this disease are zero. Anyhow, I’m seriously thinking of either a)quitting my auctions til this blows over, or b)doing PayPal only. I’m honestly afraid of opening up mail from strangers. What’s to stop someone from bidding on stuff and sending out anthrax contaminated payments? Am I overreacting? Andrea It’s all about the Ride | home.freeuk.net/chrismc | | ‘I don’t practice what I preach because I’m not the kind of person | | I’m preaching to.’ – J.R. "Bob" Dobbs |
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I’d suggest folks who worry about this on E-Bay take a look at this link: http://www.somethingawful.com/news/10-24-2001/anthrax/index.htm
Bravo, bravo! Better than the Onion even!
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Frankly, I think you’re thinking just the way they hope you do. But that’s ok, they’ve been perfecting their technique for thousands of years.( We’ve been busy with other things, like discovering how to harness electricity, going to the moon, indoor lighting…you know.) Sweetie, you need to do what gives you peace,as that’s the important thing. IMHO, it all comes down to there’s no sense selling on eBay if you’re not enjoying the Ride, whatever the reasons. Angie
Let me start off by saying I’m in NJ, one of the states where anthrax has been found. I’m starting to get nervous even though I know that an individual’s chances of contracting this disease are zero. Anyhow, I’m seriously thinking of either a)quitting my auctions til this blows over, or b)doing PayPal only. I’m honestly afraid of opening up mail from strangers. What’s to stop someone from bidding on stuff and sending out anthrax contaminated payments? Am I overreacting? Andrea It’s all about the Ride
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3 – Would someone open an eBay account just to send tainted mail to eBay sellers? That’s pretty inefficient, and they’d probably get so confused when LOL! (I’m sorry, but I had to.) Angie
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Let me start off by saying I’m in NJ, one of the states where anthrax has been found. I’m starting to get nervous even though I know that an individual’s chances of contracting this disease are zero. Anyhow, I’m seriously thinking of either a) quitting my auctions til this blows over, or b) doing PayPal only. I’m honestly afraid of opening up mail from strangers. What’s to stop someone from bidding on stuff and sending out anthrax contaminated payments? Am I overreacting? Andrea
I think you’re waaaay overreacting. 1 – There are 300,000,000 million people in the US. 4 have died of inhalation anthrax (one for each 75,000,000). There are about 20 other people with some form of the disease (one of 15,000,000). What you should worry about is exposure to this winter’s flu and auto accidents. 2 – Don’t open mail from strangers. Why would you do that in the first place? We never do — it goes straight to the trash. We know what mail is expected and we recognize names. You know who you are expecting eBay payments from. 3 – Would someone open an eBay account just to send tainted mail to eBay sellers? That’s pretty inefficient, and they’d probably get so confused when 4 – If you’re going to limit your payments to only ONE type, you might as well quit selling on eBay completely. Since your goal is to get money from people, decreasing your chances of getting that money is unproductive. 5 – You are reacting *exactly* how Al Qaeda and the bioterrorist(s) want you to react. They want us to be afraid, to self-damage our economy, and to spread rumors. Sorry to be blunt, but you’re helping. Kris
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