The goal of Ebay is to maximize their profits and their stock value.
The marketplace of ebay is now more efficient. Prices are more predictable. That comes from fewer sellers acting on the belief that promotion of lottery thinking is net-positive. So, starting prices for items not much in demand are higher.....and the great deals are fewer in number.
I'd say to serious dealers: Use ebay to announce yourself and your unusual gear, including stuff from the many manufacturers who were not Campagnolo, Shimano, Sugino, Suntour, T.A., Ofmega, or Stronglight, Masi, or Schwinn Paramount. Want to promote a beautiful and excellent frameset by a master artisan of the 80's? (of which you have 4 on hand) List one and describe it so a larger market than this list learns about it and him/her.
There's nothing unethical about using ebay to advertise your presence, establish your bona fides, and directing traffic to your store, lists, and web page where the rest of your stuff is for sale. Listing fees are still reasonable, IMO. This is exaclty what some craftsmen elsewhere in the cycling world seem to be doing, because a visit to their web page informs you they are backlogged.
Harry Travis Washington, DC USA -- ----------------------------------------------------------- travis.dot.harry.trying.gmail.com DemostiX