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Watching Ebay Madness

Guernseytim

By Guernseytim
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Guernseytim Extremely Rare

Guernseytim

Posted
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I've often chuckled at people's ideas that ebay is a cheap forum for buying goods.

 

Obviously it's a good way to buy secondhand/previously loved/NOS/vintage/antique/ultra rare from grandfather's drawer pens, and can be okay for new. But... Don't people do their homework?

 

Does ebay thrive purely on naivety from over enthusiastic noobs?

 

I've been watching this sale with interest. Wondering whether, in its final two hours, it'll tip over the Amazon UK price:

 

Parker Duofold Mini Demi Fountain Pen Pearl & Black Gold Trim Medium Nib https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001J49LVK/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_mPXRub0EC78RA

 

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=391015858875

 

It's only around £5 difference at the minute, inc postage.

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Uncial Antique

Uncial

Posted
Posted

Seen this many times and you don't have to go to Amazon to see it. I've seen people pay literally double the price for an auction pen than they would have paid for a 'buy it now' pen, both listed on ebay at the same time; sometimes even with many multiple 'buy it now' on the very same type of pen. Madness.

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jisip NOS (New Old Stock)

jisip

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Maybe it's the smug hope that you save even the tiniest amount? I did peek at the bidding history and it looks like the current bidder made a low bid very near the start. Frustration and refusal to be defeated? Maybe it's just to spite whoever stole the bid from that person.

 

From experience though, I used to base my bids from Buy It Nows of other sellers, and the ongoing value. Maybe the laziness of checking other sites causes the overbidding.

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gweimer1 Antique

gweimer1

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It's not limited to pens. Just about any commodity, especially a collectible, can be found listed on eBay by dealers selling new product that can sometimes be bought at any local store.

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Koyote Collectors Item

Koyote

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I would describe it as ignorance rather than madness. I'd bet that each of us has paid more than we had to for items due to inadequate information.

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Guernseytim Extremely Rare

Guernseytim

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You can buy them on Amazon. They're sometimes called Duofold Demi.

 

During Black Friday week I picked one up on Amazon UK for £60.

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atomix NOS (New Old Stock)

atomix

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You only need to find one buyer for anything, right?

 

On the upside, I would swear Duofold and 51 values have gone down on eBay. Still haven't found a perfect duofold, but bought several 51s recently.

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______Zaphod_Beeblebrox Vintage

______Zaphod_Beeblebrox

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Even if you did save a few bucks buying on eBay, is it worth it when you could buy it locally or from a more trusted source? I would rather pay more and get the service and confidence of knowing I got what I paid for.

 

When I here people complain about a product being shoddy, or questions it's authenticity, or even have a legit issue with a product but then complain about the service they get only to find out they did not buy it thru autherized dealers but thru eBay etc. I have no sympathy. I am talking about new products here, not used.

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monkeydonot Dipped Only

monkeydonot

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I'm amazed as well with the bidding situation on some of these pens, mine included, where I put a buy it now at $24.99 to end up selling it at $60. Not that I'm complaining. I think it's because after the first bid doesn't the buy it now go away? So subsequent bidders don't see what that BIN price was?

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Guernseytim Extremely Rare

Guernseytim

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Even if you did save a few bucks buying on eBay, is it worth it when you could buy it locally or from a more trusted source? I would rather pay more and get the service and confidence of knowing I got what I paid for.

 

When I here people complain about a product being shoddy, or questions it's authenticity, or even have a legit issue with a product but then complain about the service they get only to find out they did not buy it thru autherized dealers but thru eBay etc. I have no sympathy. I am talking about new products here, not used.

I live on an island, very few shops, most things bought through Amazon or when I fly to London. Internet shopping is a godsend.

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Guernseytim Extremely Rare

Guernseytim

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I'm amazed as well with the bidding situation on some of these pens, mine included, where I put a buy it now at $24.99 to end up selling it at $60. Not that I'm complaining. I think it's because after the first bid doesn't the buy it now go away? So subsequent bidders don't see what that BIN price was?

Yep, as soon as a bid is placed the BIN vanishes. It's annoying as you pay the BIN few either way.

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atomix NOS (New Old Stock)

atomix

Posted
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I'm amazed as well with the bidding situation on some of these pens, mine included, where I put a buy it now at $24.99 to end up selling it at $60. Not that I'm complaining. I think it's because after the first bid doesn't the buy it now go away? So subsequent bidders don't see what that BIN price was?

I usually watch your auctions as you sell wonderful pens and do a great job describing them. And have seen that phenomena for sure...and kicked myself for not clicking BIN, "well...do I need another pen, even for $25?," only to see it sell for $80 later.

 

Do you have anymore $25 pens available ;-)?

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HollyGolightly Rare

HollyGolightly

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Yes please feel free to namedrop your shop, I find myself curious as well! :thumbup:

- The poster formerly known as HollyGolightly

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monkeydonot Dipped Only

monkeydonot

Posted
Posted

I usually watch your auctions as you sell wonderful pens and do a great job describing them. And have seen that phenomena for sure...and kicked myself for not clicking BIN, "well...do I need another pen, even for $25?," only to see it sell for $80 later.

 

Do you have anymore $25 pens available ;-)?

Thank you so much! It's definitely fun right now, since I'm still a greenie. Hopefully it won't turn into work, but I can't see that happening until I I acquire some more grail pens. Sorry for the late reply, but I'm very new to forums, and don't really know how to see replies and such. Will try to be more active in the forum going forward. Take care.

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