No bargains on ebay

[Ed in Tampa]

I am not an auction fan, E bay or otherwise. Before I bid I usually have a good idea of the actual value and refuse to go above it.

At live auctions people get mad at me when I bid up to the priceI consider the actual value and stop. They say I'm a plant and I'm there to drive up the price. I can't figure out why they don't stop if they think the price is too high. I just bring out the crazy in people.( I bath regularily)

On E bay I think it is a joke. I have seen people bid for things at twice the actual value (Price I can buy it elsewhere for). I'm dumbfounded by it and therefore very skeptical, I believe there has to be a scam in it.

The only person I have ever seen really succeed at auctions was a guy that literally knew what he could sell the object for, knew what his cost would be to sell it and some how was able to bid without starting a crazy competition.

If he went to an auction and the bidding turned into a nutsO competition he turned around and left. The auctioneers got to know him and he them.

He only followed certain auctioneers that signaled him if the place was filled with crack pots that were only interested in outlandish bid wars so he wouldn't waste time there that evening.

He won and lost his share of bids but at the end of the night everyone was happy. If I wanted something I usually had him bid for me telling him my absolute max price. He is good.

[fiatben]

in all its forms, especially those (Dusty and JPG) who have offered the kind of generosity I suspect is a common thread amongst woodworkers. I will continue to watch ebay with patience for those things I need/want as I envy those of you further north where old machines seem plentiful by comparison. I have been looking for a Shopsmith for about 9 months when I finally found the little lady now in my barn. They come on the market rarely, about one a month, and typically beyond my limited budget.

I hope to post the beginning of the lady's rehabilitation soon. Having watched the Sawdust Sessions on the "SS Reborn" I am feeling inspired and confident about being able to bring her back up to speed. Still, I know that it is often easier to take something apart than to put it back together correctly and accurately. I'm sure you guys will be hearing from me OFTEN!!

Meanwhile, back to reading the forum and watching the Sawdust Sessions. After all, we got a FOOT of snow last night and that makes the barn far too cold to work in.

Ben, the Hermit on the Hill, northwest Arkansas

[tnerb]

What is the deal that used parts on ebay often go for nearly as much, if not more, than new parts from Shopsmith? I'm a poor, out-of-work owner of an old machine and I can't even catch a good deal on a power coupling. I don't believe a Shopsmith wears out quick enough to generate this much demand. And there are obviously several people making moolah by finding old machines, disassembling and putting the parts on ebay. Is it that hard to get new parts from Shopsmith? I catch rumors on here that they are struggling to stay afloat. If so, then hoarding does seem to be in order, but to the extent of actually paying more than retail? I'm very interested in what you guys think about this.

Not only are some of the prices outrageous, but what about the shipping on some of those items? Pretty pricey if you ask me.

Brent

[banjo800]

Not only are some of the prices outrageous, but what about the shipping on some of those items? Pretty pricey if you ask me.

Brent

Most of the time shipping prices is what keeps me from bidding on something that I really want. I've done my share of selling on eBay and I always shipped at what it cost me to ship. There are a few magazines on eBay I'd like to have but can you believe 6 bucks to ship a magazine via media mail? Personally, I stay away from sellers who try to gouge on shipping.

[robinson46176]

There are a lot of sellers on ebay that always sell their item (usually some small item) at a tiny loss (on purpose) and make their money all off of high shipping. It's a little like "loss leaders" that we use in regular stores. The difference is that in a regular store you just make money off of other sales possibilities while they are there.
I watch shipping cost pretty closely on anything I buy on ebay.

[still_waters_43]

Yep! I too noticed some crazy bidding on SS parts (and other items). I was looking for a used speedo cable for my 20+ year old Toyota (it's still available for $130+ at a dealer!). So, anyway I see one on eBay and then these two bidders take the the price all the way to $175 . A month later I lost out in bidding for another used one (it went for $45 - go figure!).

Anyway, as mentioned already get out of the crazy bidding (when it starts) and just wait till the next auction (chances are another one will appear).

[shipwright]

I don't understand the problem. Ebay is another tool in the everyday search for the stuff we want. No more, no less. The shipping costs are clearly stated and you aren't tricked into overspending. You set your limit and hope for the best. If anyone is robbing us we have only ourselves to blame. I've gotten some good bargains on Ebay and lost other bids to people who paid way too much. The bottom line is we're all responsible for what we pay for what we get, right?

Paul M

[JPG]

Yes it is an auction.

Yes some folks get caught up in a bidding war.

Yes some folks bid way too much.

Personally I decide what the max is I am willing to pay(including shipping), wait until the last minute and bid that amount. If I get it fine. If someone else bids higher, then so be it. In doing it this way, I avoid a bidding war/frenzy and do not bid more than the max cost I previously determined.

A word of caution: Do not drop a decimal point while typing your bid.

[dusty]

If something is available on ebay AND I need (want) "that something" very badly - price might not be an issue. It all boils down to whether or not I can go elsewhere and buy "that something" for a more reasonable price and get it into my grubby hands within an acceptable time period.

EXAMPLE: When I set out to acquire my "Crafters Station" - I was not so interested in how much it might cost. I WANTED ONE.

I WANT my own standalone OPR. I watch ebay closely.

BTW FWIW I got my Crafters Station (with a bandsaw and a few miscellaneous parts) for $300 plus $92 shipping. I am pleased as punch with that. I recouped some of that cost by reselling some of those miscellaneous parts on ebay. I am equally pleased with how that worked out.

Strangely enough, some times there is just no activity an items offered on ebay and you can get them for a steal but only if you are watching.

[jdramsey]

Just to throw my two cents worth in. I look on Ebay on a regular basis. I've picked up some really good bargains. I've gotten screwed a couple of times as well. I picked up a Craftman Lathe tools set for $10. They work really nice. I bought a timeshare for $100 and took over payments. I saved myself about $2500 on that one. On the other hand, I thought I was getting a good deal on a SS planer and joiner (different sellers). Both items were shipped from out of state and both arrived in need of repair. Very poor packaging in both instances. I realized that if it was a large item, I should stick to local sellers. If I find something a local seller has, I send them an email and offer to pick it up in person and pay in cash if they leave off the shipping fees. They've all taken me up on that offer. A little bit more of a savings there.