Pipswich wrote:I think I may go back to bidding and simply allow the seller to opt out occassionally or offer to pay closer to my real bid than the default opening at 99c. That would ease my reservations and support the sellers too.
Pipswich wrote:I just don't think collecting is a blood sport and for business to continue it has to be mutually agreeable. Clearly, it will not continue, if sellers give up trying to sell because they are losing money. 99c auctions destroy business peoples ability to function and trade. And I am pretty sure there are people feeding their family and paying mortgages with this money. I don't need a collectible bad enough to compromise that.
bbarsh wrote:Right now, those with the ability to collect should be going nuts.
Pipswich wrote:Among other things, the capital costs associated with running a restaurant are significantly higher than those associated with selling on ebay. That observation aside, I am as happy as anyone else to get a great bargain and if I find a superior bargain in an antiques mall or book store or yard sale, etc. where someone established the price necessary to sustain their business, I am not going to argue with them at all. Part of the disagreement of opinion here is one of relative perspective and it perhaps results from my unwillingness to define ebay as an auction platform rather than a communication vehicle. We use ebay (and collectors forums) as platforms to build relationships with those who buy and sell items of interest to us. With no willing partners, there is no sustained business or collecting. The rogue 99c deal on ebay is far less important to me than the potential to acquire the things I desire at a fair price or to dispose of the things I no longer want at a fair price. You might be shocked at how responsive sellers can be if they decide to trust you. Offering to pay a little more for shipping because they miscalculated or emailing them about buying five or six items that didn't sell in the previous week and asking them to combine shipping, then etc. can often yield good relationships for both parties. If I treated every transaction as an unequal battle of me trying to get the lowest price and the seller trying to get the highest... I know my collections would take longer and be more expensive to assemble.Edit: I am going to try to bow out of this discussion as I feel I have made my position clear enough for the time being.
Pipswich wrote:I love undervalued BIN's as much as anyone. I concern is primarily for those that are in business to earn a living or collectors chosing to or having to downsize collections while struggling with the economy, ebays prices and all the issues that have been discussed here ad nauseum. Random people who decide to put a price on their stuff instead of an auction listing and who are simply moving it along, but clearly not earning a living at it aren't going to be viable business partners in the future and if I don't buy deals like that one... someone else here will. They have decided what they want to get for their stuff and who am I to argue. I have no obligation to them, nor significant potential for an ongoing relationship. I mean, heck, I am not gonna turn down a shrinkwrapped module at the flea for a buck when the vendor bought it for a dime and chose his own profit.
bclarkie wrote:Does this stance include negotiating hugely undervalued BINS as well? ** expired/removed eBay auction **
Pipswich wrote:Well, you know something I don't and that my emails don't reflect regarding "negotiating' that one.
Blackmoor wrote:You sure are good at this stuff Brian
Pipswich wrote:I love undervalued BIN's as much as anyone.
