His contact with other collectors, including Dr. Arbittier, whom he has never met in person, has been enormously helpful, he said. Beyond antiques EBay is both a cultural icon and a way for individuals or businesses, particularly small ones, to reach buyers around the world. Buyers can locate things that aren't available in their hometowns. They also can often buy single items that are usually available only in bulk. At any given time, there are 4 million items for sale on eBay, from East Asian antiquities to new CD players, to half-empty tubes of toothpaste.
Medical products are also on that list.
Only a very small percentage of people who buy new medical equipment on eBay are physicians. The market for vintage medical equipment, however, is dominated by doctors, with other health care professionals following closely behind. He bought it from a New Hampshire gun dealer who was glad to be rid of it. Both doctors say they have gotten good deals on eBay. But Dr. Arbittier says that with the explosive growth of the Internet and the corresponding flood of collectors able to pursue even the most obscure items, the chance of finding a bargain has decreased.