Given that we live in Australia, I would much prefer to leave my stuff on the footpath as we don't have sidewalks here.

I'm also not sure what you're directing your rant at me, I don't work for eBay and I don't make the rules. I don't like it any more than you do. I factor the fees into the start price of my auctions, so the buyers pay the fees, not me. I choose to sell here, so I have to accept their rules.