Topic: Bidding on Ebay???
in Forum: Humor
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I don't bid anymore. If someone has what I want, I check shipping to ensure I'm not buying something for $3 only to have to pay $30 shipping and handling. If shipping is reasonable, I figure the maximum I want to pay for the thing, including shipping, enter a bid, and let it ride. I either get it, or I don't. If I don't get it, no big deal since I had already bid all I wanted to spend.
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6880 Mike has the right system. I have purchased hundreds of items on Ebay. Don't get in a bidding frenzy...bid what you are willing to pay for the item and let it ride.
One more piece of advice. Don't buy a car you have not inspected personally. I asked all the right questions and got all the right answers. Problem was the guy flat out lied. And don't believe Ebays claim of covering the first $20,000.00 of an item is misrepresented. In my case it could not have been more misrepresented and even after the lawyers got done, Ebay refused to do anything. They didn't even reprimand the seller.
Having said that, I can say that I have bought cars and motorcycles off of Ebay with great results. Most sellers are good honest people.
Scott
One more piece of advice. Don't buy a car you have not inspected personally. I asked all the right questions and got all the right answers. Problem was the guy flat out lied. And don't believe Ebays claim of covering the first $20,000.00 of an item is misrepresented. In my case it could not have been more misrepresented and even after the lawyers got done, Ebay refused to do anything. They didn't even reprimand the seller.
Having said that, I can say that I have bought cars and motorcycles off of Ebay with great results. Most sellers are good honest people.
Scott
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Yelm, WA - USA
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Vette(s): 1979 L82 4 speed Scat 383 crank 190 cc Procomp Aluminum Heads 202 160 stainless valves GM Powder metal rods Speedpro H860CP Hypereutectic pistons 280 cam hydralic HEI Pro comp 1.6 roller rockers Mighty Demon 750 Sanderson CC1AP Hedders.
[QUOTE=MikeMc71]First, I decide the MOST I am willing to pay for an item, I wait for the timer to get to 20 seconds, put in my MAX bid, and make sure it is NOT an even #. For example, if I decide to bid $25.00 on an item, I put in a max bid of $24.87 or $26.56, it just keeps the other bidder from possibly getting a second crack at it. [/QUOTE]
I do the same thing! I hit that refresh buttom on the last minute of the auction like a crazy person then I bid at the last possible second.
Here's another tip...
I tend to do the last 30 second strategy also, we refer to it as "sniping." However sometimes there are other "snipers" monitoring with the same intention... it can be very useful to know if this is the case. One can consider increasing the max bid, or really cutting it fine and leaving it to the last 10 seconds (and hope the net doesn't clog just then!) So how do you know ?
Well towards the bottom of the Auction page is a view counter... if you monitor this by frequently refreshing the page, and you find the number is increasing (and it's not you) then you know someone else is paying close attention at the last moment also. I always have the max bid set up to go in a second window, and when that last 10 secs comes... swap to the second window and punch the CONFIRM button !
Don't tell anyone.
I tend to do the last 30 second strategy also, we refer to it as "sniping." However sometimes there are other "snipers" monitoring with the same intention... it can be very useful to know if this is the case. One can consider increasing the max bid, or really cutting it fine and leaving it to the last 10 seconds (and hope the net doesn't clog just then!) So how do you know ?
Well towards the bottom of the Auction page is a view counter... if you monitor this by frequently refreshing the page, and you find the number is increasing (and it's not you) then you know someone else is paying close attention at the last moment also. I always have the max bid set up to go in a second window, and when that last 10 secs comes... swap to the second window and punch the CONFIRM button !
Don't tell anyone.
Kiwi Chris
Lifetime MemberIndianapolis, IN - USA
Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2430
Vette(s): Silver 1974 Convertible - L82 4 speed
Low miles (was only 8,900 when I bought it in March 2006) - Now 54K miles. Original owner bought it as an investment for son's college expenses.
2008 Jetstream Blue Convertible
All good advice here. I really like e-bay, and while it can be simple, trying to get something that many people want can be difficult. Often times, it's simply a matter of timing. I purchased a Corvette emblem for $12 one week, then sold it for $85 weeks later.
Best advice here - know what you're willing to pay and do your best to stick to it. A big part of that is knowing what the market price is. Watch similar items and see what they go for. If you're willing to pay $10 and every time one comes up, it sells for $30, you're not likely to get one.
The time the auction ends often has a good deal to do with how high the price will go. The "snipers" have a better chance of getting in if the auction ends on a weekend (Sunday) evening. Auctions ending during the normal US workday often won't go as high because not as many people are watching e-bay (other than those surfing at work). This is a big hint to those who sell - I always end my auctions on Sunday nights - this tends to drive the price up.
As far as what you buy, I know there are many people who do buy cars on e-bay and many say they have done it successfully. The most I've spent on an item on e-bay is about $250 (and had no problem). The only problem I've ever had was selling and that was years ago when I was inexperienced and shipped an item before it was paid for. Anyway, what Tux said about feedback is important. Typically, those with high positive feedback scores have worked hard for them and won't be willing to jeopardize them for a few bucks.
Bottom line - e-bay can be fun, profitable, and when done right, or when you get lucky, you can get a great deal. Also, if you're looking for something obscure that no one else wants or is looking for, you'll likely get it for the opening bid. Two years ago, I was looking for something unique for my dad's 75th birthday. I searched his birthday and hometown name and found a High School football program from a game played on his 16th birthday with his school vs another. Inside was a picture of the marching band and you could pick him out. $12 total with shipping. The look on his face - priceless!
I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!
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All great info here....I did almost ALL my Christmas shopping on EBay this year. I found some very unique Vette items (My wife is also a Vette nut...more than me in fact). Its a blast to just dig around with different key words, there are some great deals there, you just have to play with it to find them all.
Very good topic here. I also buy and sell on eBay. Its amazing what people will buy. I have sold things I would normally have tossed out. I recently sold my old original trim rings for $56.00 plus $15.00 shipping. They were so dented and scratched I was gonna toss em. Very good advise magnet on closing on weekends. When buying I normally wait until just before ending and bid in small increments until I hit the persons max bid. And then it comes down to who has the fastest internet connection. Some people get obsessed with winning and pay way more than the item is worth. Know how much you will pay and stick with it. Terry
in Forum: Humor
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