ebay Woes

Am I alone in having difficulty getting a good deal on N-scale items on ebay these days? It seems that no matter what I bid on, someone is ready to snipe it away at a price that seems too high (or at least at a price I could get the item from an on-line discounter). I am left wondering if there is widespread “Shill Biding” occurring.

Sorry about this rant, I guess I just need to vent. I have lost on several items recently to what seems like suspicious circumstances. It’s getting to the point were sniping is the only way to have a chance to win anything.

 

I've gotten some good deals on a few locos latley, but I've also noticed some outrageous prices for a bunch of stuff on there. Case in point- I watched a Lifelike GP38-2 loco/dummy/caboose combo go for $117 a few weeks back. I got mine for $14. Go figure!?! Then again, I see people paying high dollar for those little Reader's Digest toys all the time... Maybe I should sell mine????

I just keep on bidding... sometimes I get lucky- But not too often. Of course, looking at my bank account.... Maybe it's lucky I don't win much.

 

N-scale sure does seem to be selling high on ebay lately. Kind of makes me weary of bidding. Thought all us N scaler were supposed to be bargin oriented.

 

Two observations regarding Ebay and the N Scale market.

1. I have found that the prices for n scale items tend to be higher in the fall and closer to Christmas. This is probably due to model railroading being something of a winter hobby and interest peaks in the fall.

2. I have never experienced a problem bidding on a N-scale item on Ebay. Perhaps model railroaders and Nscalers in particular are just decent honest folks.

[ 07. November 2002, 00:17: Message edited by: Grantha ]

 

I have bought a few Micro-Trains on Ebay recently with no problems. But something to remember... Do NOT get in a bid war... I did once and it cost me $37.00 for a Soo Line caboose that I just saw for $10.00. Tom

 

In the past two weeks I've bid on a dozen items and won only one. I watched a lot of nine Bachmann freight cars, that I bid $10.00 on, climb to well over $30.00. To me that is incredible!

 

I think you have something there! It was not until the fall that I noticed such widespread overbiding on items, and sellers asking way too much for something. Well, actually, I have always seen sellers list their items too high. Nothing new there!

I wonder why ebay doesn't adopt a policy whereby if a bid is made within the last fifteen minutes of an auction, the auction is automatically extended for a period of time to give other bidders a chance to respond. I know there is no rule against sniping, but it seems like such a sneaky way to win. And those without high speed internet access are at a great disadvantage.

[ 07. November 2002, 01:50: Message edited by: Bruce-in-MA ]

 

I have been a member of the eBay since 1997, both buying and selling (my ID is chessie, who'd guess?). I guess the best advice to remember about eBay is that it is a "caveat emptor" venue. Your best bet is to buy from an established (read: good feedback ) seller.

Some rules for buyers: #1: know what you are bidding on, what it is worth, and what your absolute maximum is to pay. Let me break that down further: know what you are bidding on: look for specific details about the item, including brand names, condition, and a picture. If you are not certain about the details of an item, e-mail the seller before bidding; Know what it is worth: if it is a collectible item, there are probably price guides to help you determine its value; if it is a new item, you can look up the price (most likely) online. Another thing to be careful of is shipping charges: if a seller offers an item for a low charge, then adds an exhorbitant shipping charge, it makes it not such a good deal. The best rule is to know what your maximum price is AND STICK TO IT; then you do not have to worry about anyone "sniping" or bidding at the last minute. If an item is only worth $50 to you and you bid $25 and someone else wins it for $26, you only have yourself to blame. Remember, eBay will only increase your bid price incrementally based on other bidders. As far as shill bidding, I know that eBay sniffs them out rapidly and bans them.

While I am not an eBay employee, I have had overall good experiences with it and would be happy to entertain and questions, either in this topic or via e-mail.

Harold

 

As far as prices, in general, I think N scale stuff is selling much cheaper now (especially Micro-Trains cars) than past history.

Harold

 

I have to agree about ebay woes. I can't tell you how many times I have been the high bidder with less than a minute remaining, but still lost the item.

Just today, there were three different items that I lost within the last 2 minutes. Arrrrggggggggg!!!!!!!

But I have also noticed that there are getting to be some really high prices on items. Well, those I don't bid on.

Have you also noticed that over priced items also seem to have few if any bids. I still think some N-scalers are bargain oriented. But then again there's a whole bunch who will buy what ever locomotive is announced by Atlas or Kato.

Jeff

 

I have noticed the same thing with the ridiculous prices on the stupidest things. I bid what I will pay right off the bat. If I lose, I lose. I refuse to get into a bidding war for anything. I also stay away from sellers that act as if they don't know anything about what they sell. That is usually a sign of future problems.

 

In the past I never had problems with eBay. Here in Switzerland the N scale parts are very expensive so I made some real good deals in eBay. Sometime I had discussions about the shipping costs but the seller was alwaly oncoming.

Sometimes there are buyers who bid without any limit. I was looking for a 'gravel unloading station kit' and was very interessed about it. Another guy wanted them too and bought it for US$ 46. Some minutes later I found the same kit in Internet.com for US$ 12.78

Watch your computer mouse while bidding !!!
Daniel

 

Recently I bought three brand new Atlas N scale diesels all equipped with a factory installed Digitrax decoder. Prices ranged from $52 thru $59. I think that's a really good deal, isn't it ? If I buy the same engines here in Switzerland they'll be $180 EACH ! I bought three for the same price.

It's true that some items are sold at higher prices than some on-line discounters ask. You have to be sure what you're bidding on and you need to define your personal maximum bid. If you browse thru the net you often find the items sold somewhere else. This might give you some hints if the ebay prices is right or too high. If you take your time to compare a bit you're able to do some really good deals.

 

Recently I bought three brand new Atlas N scale diesels all equipped with a factory installed Digitrax decoder. Prices ranged from $52 thru $59. I think that's a really good deal, isn't it ? If I buy the same engines here in Switzerland they'll be $180 EACH ! I bought three for the same price.

It's true that some items are sold at higher prices than some on-line discounters ask. You have to be sure what you're bidding on and you need to define your personal maximum bid. If you browse thru the net you often find the items sold somewhere else. This might give you some hints if the ebay prices is right or too high. If you take your time to compare a bit you're able to do some really good deals.

 

The prices on Ebay really seem to have taken a beating lately. With the rash of new stuff being released, people must be saving their money for that. I know I am. I buy and sell, and find that items seem to bring the best prices around the first of the month. Is this due to quite a few of our clan being retired and waiting for the SS check? If you are looking to buy, try looking in the middle of the month.

 

I have been an eBay SNIPER for a couple of years now, I know what I want, what I will pay for something, and I'll be there at the last second to try to get what I am bidding on! A couple of things to remember: 1) Don't forget that you are gonna pay a shipping/handling charge. Some sellers take advantage of this to make extra $. 2) Know what the item you are bidding on is worth, and what the ABSOLUTE maximum you will pay, accounting for note #1. 3)Check out the seller's feedback, any negative feedback should have a reasonable comment by the seller. A whole bunch of negative feedback should raise a warning flag. All sellers aren't perfect, we all will make a mistake now and then. 4) Remember no matter how bad you want any item somebody will want it worse, and somebody else will have another one on for sale later someplace else!
I have no idea how some people get the value on the items they selling. Wishfull thinking maybe? You will see stuff with crazy prices asked, AND SOMEBODY ELSE WILL BUY IT! Right now there is a listing for two SHINOHARA #6 code 70 turnouts, a rh & lh, for opening bid of $20.00 and a BUY IT NOW bid of $30.00. WOW! The going price for a #4 or #6 is between $7.00 to $9.00 EACH, new in box. If these turnouts are sold for $15.00 each, I have a whole bunch I'll sell right now!
There is one final thing that I have found out about SNIPPING. I am not sure if I should tell you all this?!? Oh, well, wife says I spend too much on eBay anyway! When you make that final bid for that Micro-Trains car, the one of kind special run collector car, that will make you the envy of TRAINBOARD, your N-Scale club and make you collection complete, remember note #4 above, and don't make your bid end in even dollar amounts! Make the bid $24.84, not $24.00. At least this makes your fellow snipers work for their bid.

I gots to go, my eBay notification message just let me know about that auction for 3ea KATO 2-8-2's, 4ea Bachmann 2-8-0's Spectrums and several assorted 2-8-8-2's and 4-6-6-4's for $100.00 is about to finish up. So much for the household Christmas fund! Do you think I can get em for $204.69? ROFL, LOL!

I go to work to support eBay, My Family, my hobby! Something like that!

MARK

 

Couple of good points that are brought up here about bidding and knowing your max limit. Also, if you are online frequently, don't necessarily bid on something the moment you see it.

If the auction still has 5 days left, see where it goes over the next few days before putting in your MAX bid in (and if your max is say $75 take porkypines advaice and bid something like $75.15, so if a sniper puts in 75.01 - like a smart one would do - you still out bid them).

And if you get out-bid in the last two minutes, it just might not be a sniper. Ever log on and check the "Going, going gone!" page? Frequently things are running on less than 10 minutes, so why bid right away when you can wait? Besides, a TRUE sniper will get you in the last 20-30 seconds, so even if you have high-speed internet, you can't outbid them. They also usually can't adjust their bid, so unless the put in a rediculous bid, you should win if you aren't near your max.