Intelligent Life, a more or less yearly special issue from The Economist, had a interesting article called Buy now, sell later (paid sub req.) "eBay, the worldwide auction website that moved over $44 billion in merchandise last year"
The topic is how the sheer scale of eBay in the US has enabled both professional handlers, such as iSoldIt ($30 m in 2005) and more importantly - the ability to buy something used, have it for a while and then resell it, thereby cutting down on the barrier of entry for ownership. Want to have a pasta maker or try your hand at the drums? Buy it used, give it a shot then sell it when you are ready to move on to the next fascination.
