Following Amazon's lead, other on-line retailers have instituted programs that allow buyers to rate products.

"I don't see a problem if we sell to another on-line retailer that we happen to have a majority interest in."

The third-biggest auction site is Amazon.com, the biggest on-line retailer.

Analysts said that in concept, at least, the prospects for an on-line retailer of educational toys, are promising.

The Vanderbilt research paper also offers recommendations to on-line retailers about how best to market to women.

A Web Shopping section will provide additional links to on-line retailers.

The number of parcels from foreign on-line retailers has been steady on the rise for several years now and it is bound to grow further.

The best known of these programs is the associates program at Amazon.com, the largest on-line retailer of books.

Shoppers are becoming less tolerant of poor service from on-line retailers.

Still, Internet experts have already spotted opportunities for a new round of on-line retailers.