Perhaps we need a topic called "Corporate Greed"

Ebay aquired Half.com a good while ago. At first they claimed they were intrested in the ISBN/UPC database listing capabilities the site had.

Now, the truth unveils itself.

Ebay is closing half.com in mid July.

Currently sellers are able to list any book on half.com with no up front fees. If the book sells, 20% of the selling price goes to half.com. If the book does not sell, it can sit forever or until canceled.

This is great for readers who like more obscure titles as it increases selection and supply.

eBay has closed half.com, saying that sales are not brisk enough. In reality, eBay is driving sellers to a thirty cent weekly minimum nonrefundable listing fee. For sellers that establish eBay stores, the listing fee is a bit lower, but its been my experience that stores have very little traffic without concurrent auction exposure.

To force the blood out of the turnip, eBay will also be able to derive profits from transactions that are completed via credit card on Paypal.com.

I believe that this reeks of monopolistic business practice (buy your competition and ruin/close them) that will raise the average cost of books (How can you sell a book for .75 cents it if costs 1.40 to sell it?) and will also lower the supply of books available.