Mixed Lot

Selling via eBay is an important aspect of my working life but the whole process of packing and posting valuables across the world is at best stressful.  It's stressful because stupid Americans return antique items with a note explaining 'this item is not in as good a condition as it might be.'
I always respond 'That's because it's 150 years old - what will you look like in one hundred years time?'
'Can I have another one?'
'No, it's Victorian.  It's unique.'
'In that case I'll apply for a PayPal refund and leave you negative feedback anyway.'
Nothing brings out the need to kill in me more than someone from the other side of The Pond expecting that I fall on my sword just because they have a negative feedback advantage over me.  I want to cross the Atlantic and track them down.  I want to put their fat head into a mangle and turn the cogs slowly.  I want to enslave them and sell them as shark bait to Egyptian fishermen. 
But in truth my temper is already primed by something much closer to home - the Post Office.  Not that there are many Post Offices left. There is one at Castle Mall in Norwich.  You can't miss it - just take a packed lunch and join the queue at St Stephen's.  When you get to the front of the queue you will discover just why it has taken so long to serve you.
'Hello, my name is Robert and I am your customer service assistant for today.  How may I help you?'
'I need to send a couple of parcels to some dumb Americans'.
'Well, I can assist you with that sir.  Tell me, do you need house contents insurance?'
'No'
'Do you need car insurance?'
'No'
'Do you need life assurance?'
'No, but you might soon need it...'
'Can I explain about the benefits our excellent travel insurance policy?'
'For God's sake man!'
I want to cross the counter and slap him down. I want to put his fat head into a mangle and turn the cogs slowly. I want to enslave him and sell him as shark bait to Egyptian fishermen...
Maybe I have an anger problem?
The great thing about selling at an antique fair is that the customer can see and handle whatever it is that has caught their eye and then pay in cash.  Forget parcel tape, brown paper, and customs labels - a little bit of bubblewrap and an old carrier bag and both buyer and seller part company in good spirits.  No fees.  No returns.  No hassle.
That said, I have had some incredible sales online, that I could never have anticipated at an antique fair.  There is certainly an argument to be made for concentrating on selling online only.  I don't subscribe to that view because a savvy dealer selects the best marketplace for what s/he is selling.  For example, collectable books sell well on Amazon but an antiquarian book on the churches of Norwich may well be best tried at The Cloisters. 
The other reason for not simply selling via the internet is that it divorces you from life.  Life is to be found at antique fairs, and auctions, and in the pub.  An antique dealer who sells on the internet alone is not an antique dealer - they are someone who sells antiques online.  Balance in life is everything and selling on eBay, Amazon, et al is probably best described as a necessary evil.  One that cannot be ignored.  But give me people, real people, and real life each and every time.
Rant over - I have to go to the Post Office (top tip - try the one in Roys' store on Magdalen Street) - wish me luck!