"The percentage of entrepreneurs planning to use the Internet for such commerce will more than triple in 12 to 18 months." "...acceptance can take time."

More Entrepreneurs Turning to Internet USA Today, November 1997 By Del Jones     Selling products and services over the Internet may be poised to take off. The percentage of entrepreneurs planning to use the Internet for such commerce will more than triple in 12 to 18 months according to a USA TODAY / Ernst & Young survey of 398 entrepreneurs Saturday at the Entrepreneur of the Year International Conference in Palm Springs, Calif.     More than 80% of those at the conference said they use the Internet now. But most use it primarily for e-mail (36%), or to give information to customers via a Web site (37%). Just 8% of the entrepreneurs said they use the Internet mainly for commerce, which usually means taking orders electronically and accepting credit cards for payment. But 27% of the Internet will be for commerce in 12 to 18 months.     Optiva, makers of Sonicare toothbrushes and the USA's fastest-growing company according to Inc. magazine, wants to take Internet orders but is willing to let others be guinea pigs. "We don't plan to be leaders (in Internet commerce)." Says Optima CEO David Giuliani. The right time "will become apparent."     The biggest drawback is reluctant customers worried that credit card numbers will be too easily stolen, or that companies will be able to gather personal information. Experts say that those fears will wane. But the history of automated teller machines shows that acceptance can take time. "My guess is it will take longer than people hope," Giuliani says.