Another Ebay Laugh

[Zerogee]

I did once ask a seller a question via the eBay "facility" what the justification was for setting a price that was so much more than could be found elsewhere (I gave them the benefit of the doubt and assumed there was something special about the item). Response? A big fat zilch. I was told by a regular eBay buyer/seller that by not responding the seller avoided my Q and their A being posted on the item listing.
..................

As I understand it, the seller can choose whether any question asked (regardless of whether they answer or not) gets shown on the listing - I've asked several questions about things and got answers, but none of it has appeared as viewable to the public. More likely, I think, that the guy just didn't have any kind of reasonable answer for it!

Jon.

 

[Ralphmp]

Makes sense. As I see it, people are more wary these days about buying stuff on eBay that is unusually priced for no apparent reason, so it's the seller who mostly loses out if they ask some ridiculous amount as they won't shift the item.

 

[Gizzy]

I will buy from EvilBuy if the price is right?

I've had some good bargains in the past.

But had a funny one today. A while ago I bid on a 'make me an offer' for some track. I offered what I considered was a reasonable price but £5 less than what the seller wanted. He put in a counter offer but I stuck to my guns with my bid. So eventually, he refused to deal with me.

Today, I bid on a 'buy it now' for the price wanted on an item from the same seller. However, it seems this seller has black listed me, and does not want my custom.

No worries though, as I have found what I wanted cheaper elsewhere....

 

[Eaglecliff]

Not that long ago I bought a Schleich Wild West covered wagon, new, for about £20 from a high street toyshop. (I thought the grandkids might appreciate seeing it on the layout... who am I kidding?). I have seen one since on ebay for £120. Actually, this seems to happen disproportionately from the other side of the pond.if it looks too good to be true, it usually is.

 

[Graham]

Not that long ago I bought a Schleich Wild West covered wagon, new, for about £20 from a high street toyshop. (I thought the grandkids might appreciate seeing it on the layout... who am I kidding?). I have seen one since on ebay for £120. Actually, this seems to happen disproportionately from the other side of the pond.if it looks too good to be true, it usually is.

Those things are quite scarce not having been made for a few years so if you can find some more for that price there is a profit to be made

 

[p.williams]

Makes sense. As I see it, people are more wary these days about buying stuff on eBay that is unusually priced for no apparent reason, so it's the seller who mostly loses out if they ask some ridiculous amount as they won't shift the item.

I have ony bought two items from ebay- one was the lgb works tram set, from a reputable nothern retailer.- well satisfied with that.
With the second , a steeple cab loco, advertised as the only fault being a 'stripped' axle gear, ( i already had a spare 'brick'), i came well unstuck.
The item was a bitza, someone had bodged a attempt to convert it to dcc
And the seller refused to take it back. My only recourse was to give feedback as "very economical with the truth regarding items in his listings".

 

[Madman]

Some sellers just don't give a rats a** how long their items are posted on Ebay. They're either not in need of the money or they are waiting until some unsuspecting guppy bites.

 

[idlemarvel]

Yes I'm sure there are traders who buy wanted items and hold on to them for a few years until new ones are not longer available, then pitch their wares at seemingly ridiculous prices. Good business I suppose if you know your chosen market well and have the necessary cash to tie it up in stock. Ebay is just a microcosm of raw capitalism for the common man.

 

[ntpntpntp]

I think I've worked out what this seller is up to - selling items that are on Amazon for a (much) inflated price!
If someone buys from him, he just orders from Amazon and gets it shipped to the customer.
Clever business idea that relies on mugs who don't shop around!

Funnily enough, I've just benefitted from buying something through just such a re-seller!

Saw an N brand new gauge loco for an extremely good price (£39) on Tuesday. Wasn't actively looking for one but price too good to resist. Checked the seller wasn't one of those Chinese scammers cloning previous listings - they had plenty of good feedback - so ordered it. Still a slight nagging doubt this this could be too good to be true, and only afterward did I twig this was a re-seller, as their other items were 1000s of items of all sorts of different stuff.

Found the exact same item title on Amazon for £34. Began to worry if I'd actually receive the goods? Was the Amazon listing itself a scam (very cheap)?

Loco turned up today in genuine Amazon packaging as a "gift" item (as a re-seller would need to do to ship to any old alternative address). Perfect item, and rapid delivery too!

Checked the Amazon listing again, the price had changed to £28.83, 16 left, so ordered another one direct from Amazon!

Mentioned the Amazon bargain listing on the N Gauge Forum, a couple of others also placed orders.

Later in the afternoon noticed the Amazon listing had gone to £142 (5 left)! £120-£140 is more like the correct RRP for such a loco.

So the bottom line is without the ebay "reseller" causing me to look around I'd not have realised Amazon were actually flogging off a real bargain, and not alerted others to it either. Whether it was a mis-price or an over-stock close-out is a mystery, but **result** as far as I'm concerned!