eBay Potential Price Saver Discovery

db5 · Post by **db5** » Thu Mar 20, 2014 10:04 pm

Something I inadvertently discovered about shopping on eBay:

I found a vacuum cleaner bag that was reasonably priced (less than $2 each with free shipping) however, the vacuum cleaner wasn’t listed and the picture didn’t match the ad. So, I sent a message to the eBay seller. This is my message and the response:
(when you send a message you don’t always know the seller. That became apparent when I received the reply.

Dear prbproducts,The ad reads Style L. The picture shows Style J. Which is correct? Eureka indicates this also fits a 930 and 930A vacuum, which isn't listed in your ad.

Reply from prbproducts:

Yes this should be Style L.
Thanks for letting us know. I will get that fix right now.
We do not have all the model listed. If Eureka Style L fits 930 930A then these will fit.

Now, when I went back to order the product I couldn’t find it because the picture was changed and when I did find it the price was now $2 more. So I did a search on “prbproducts ebay” and what did I discover? The same bags offered for $1 each. So what would have cost $20 for 12 was now $18 for 18. So, from now on I will send a message to the seller with some question, do a search and see if there is some better price offered.

As an aside, I bought 3 shop vac bags at Harbor Freight 3 weeks ago for $5. Outrageous I thought but better priced than elsewhere. Then I discovered some vacuum cleaner bags at a local Goodwill priced at $1 for 11 (but one-half that because they were on sale that week since no one bought them). Date on the package was 1986. The were much too long but I cut off the open end and they fit perfectly. So, think about how else you can use something you find at garage sales, thrift shops or elsewhere.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Thu Mar 20, 2014 11:22 pm

db5 wrote: . . . So, think about how else you can use something you find at garage sales, thrift shops or elsewhere.

There is another way?:D

db5 · Post by **db5** » Thu Mar 20, 2014 11:41 pm

JPG40504 wrote:There is another way?:D

Now you have left me hanging and the lifespan is short. What is the other way (Another) way? Enquiring minds want to know.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Thu Mar 20, 2014 11:51 pm

db5 wrote:Now you have left me hanging and the lifespan is short. What is the other way (Another) way? Enquiring minds want to know.

? means this is a question, not a 'statement'.

Also perhaps an assertion that there is IMHO no other way!:rolleyes:

I know, I know, that is self contradictory.

db5 · Post by **db5** » Fri Mar 21, 2014 12:16 am

[quote="JPG40504"]? means this is a question, not a 'statement'.

Also perhaps an assertion that there is IMHO no other way!:rolleyes: I know, I know, that is self contradictory.]

English, Yiddish, Russian, and others are all confusing languages, but not so much as American English. This is the most complex language in the world. That's why we are so screwed up in communicating with each other and it is growing worse when we do it on the internet or with text messages. One little thing changes the entire understanding of the meaning of a simple message (as evidenced from JPG's reply). How is it that an engineer can grasp these concepts? He must have more education and experience beyond the math/science/other stuff that engineers do.

JPG's reply hit it on the head or in the ass - depending on where you are looking or coming from. Just missing one very little part makes a lot of difference. Just a ? changes everything from what a . would mean.
Consider that.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Fri Mar 21, 2014 1:13 am

db5 wrote:English, Yiddish, Russian, and others are all confusing languages, but not so much as American English. This is the most complex language in the world. That's why we are so screwed up in communicating with each other and it is growing worse when we do it on the internet or with text messages. One little thing changes the entire understanding of the meaning of a simple message (as evidenced from JPG's reply). How is it that an engineer can grasp these concepts? He must have more education and experience beyond the math/science/other stuff that engineers do.

JPG's reply hit it on the head or in the ass - depending on where you are looking or coming from. Just missing one very little part makes a lot of difference. Just a ? changes everything from what a . would mean.
Consider that.

Not all injuneers are handicapped by a narrow educational experience.

Sadly many are.

Especially in this age of 'specialization'.

Another thing to understand is 'tongue in cheek'.

"How is it" indeed!:p

Gene Howe · Post by **Gene Howe** » Fri Mar 21, 2014 10:24 am

JPG,
One often needs to read your posts a couple times to appreciate your dry wit. At least I do, and find it a worthwhile endeavor.

idcook · Post by **idcook** » Fri Mar 21, 2014 11:45 am

Gene Howe wrote:JPG,
One often needs to read your posts a couple times to appreciate your dry wit. At least I do, and find it a worthwhile endeavor.

For sure.

Be it kick in the pants or applause (he’s as apt to express one as the other), the content is always in some way informative and wry humor often providing the essential information.

I think the first time he spoke to me it had something to do with expressing myself like a woman worrying about problems not in evidence. At the time nothing could’ve been more helpful.

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Fri Mar 21, 2014 12:49 pm

db5 wrote:So, from now on I will send a message to the seller with some question, do a search and see if there is some better price offered.

Why knot forget about the email and just do a search to begin with?:rolleyes:

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Fri Mar 21, 2014 1:55 pm

beeg wrote:Why knot forget about the email and just do a search to begin with?:rolleyes:

He wants to save his place in the 'first refusal' line.

Of course he is assuming the seller knows what first refusal means.