Learning the E-Dance at Last.(Column)(eBay Motors)

Byline: Rich Ceppos

Wind the clock back to a much younger me. I'm talking with a pop psychology-smitten friend. What-if time. "If you were walking down a path in the forest,'' she asks, "and you came upon a bear, what would you do?''

We enjoyed questions like that back then. Actually, it's still a good one. So, what would you do?

Me, I'd stand still as a granite headstone, observe the bear and let its behavior dictate mine. Let the other party make the first move. Come to think of it, that's the same answer I gave years ago.

No wonder it wasn't until recently that I started buying and selling cars on the web. At Ceppos HQ, we pride ourselves on being at least a half-generation behind in technological uptake. Let others make the first move; don't you remember Beta vs. VHS, or eight-track vs. cassette? When it's all sorted out we pounce like a raging kitten.

A few weeks ago, it was time to pounce again. Mrs. Ceppos expressed concern that we had outgrown her racy red M3 coupe.

A few clicks later, I was knocking on the front door of eBay Motors, my first time. It felt good to finally get to the dance. First I'd buy a lovely "previously owned'' unit for The Empress, then we'd offer up her wondrous chariot. I registered and the dance lessons began.