Most folks that started out buying on eBay...well, we don't use eBay as much.
As an example: I buy now from independent sellers on the internet for the most part as versus eBay. OR......
If I find out a seller on eBay has their own website/store..I get with their site or we do business outside of eBay for the item.
Truth!
Hubster just bought some New Balance tennis shoes. Loved the style of them but didn't like the price of them on eBay. He only shops for University of Alabama memoriabilia on eBay now. Anyhoooo, He copied the title and pasted into Google. VOILA! He found them cheaper AND with free shipping.
I just bought a new car part from a seller on ebay. Not out of his eBay..but from his internet store. We were both happy. Him...no fee's. Me...lower price plus cheaper shipping. No feedback but who cares.
I'm not sure if this is the explanation your looking for. But there are alot of newbies online that are just now getting into buying and find that ebay is easy to navigate, and the rules are easy.
I think all we old-timers buy from outside of eBay if we can help it..even if we are ebay sellers ourselves.
My Best,
Donna