I've noticed lately, ebay seems to have tipped to the buyers benefit. I assume that's from the economy. I never bought stuff from ebay back in the early days. It seemed like there wasn't much stuff going for less then what you could buy it in the store for. I have sold stuff though, and I have to admit, I've been amazed at what people paid for a few items. More then once, I had stuff go for more then what you could get it for brand new, and this isn't just train stuff. But like I said, people seem to have come to their senses lately. In fact, it's kind of depressing in some cases. I saw a bunch of really nice custom HO locos this guy was selling, and maybe 1/3 had bids, and those bids were at best, half of what an item like that should get, and a LOT less then what they would have gone for a couple years ago. Dave D. Los Angeles, CA -Rail Radio Online-Home of the "TrainTenna" RR Monitoring Antenna- http://eje.railfan.net/railradioonline ------------------------------------------------- -The Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Photo Archive & E-Mail List- http://eje.railfan.net ------------------------------------------------- -The Ashley, Drew & Northern Railfan Page- http://eje.railfan.net/adn ------------------------------------------------- -Southern California Trains- http://eje.railfan.net/socal -------------------------------------------------
I've noticed the trend that at different times of the year, prices are either high or low. In the summertime the prices dip, people are doing other things outside. In the fall the prices went up and then dropped again just before Xmas. Then went up again after the holidays. I think it's just a matter of timing and if you can hold off, wait until the summer to look for that gotta have item. Same goes for selling, wait for the high times.
As a regular eBay seller, I can tell you that what we've seen in recent months, has been different from previous years. I sell some N scale, and a lot of paper RRdiana. Sales did not seem to truly drop off, until the first week of December. So I don't see 9/11 as a direct effect. Perhaps indirectly. After a couple of very lousy weeks, eBay awakened, and offered sellers some incentives to list. Including a 24 hour free listing day. That picked things up until about mid-January, when it again slowed much more than usual. Then slowly seemed to pick back up, until early March. Ever since then, selling has been sour. I am quite surprised that eBay hasn't again offered sellers some incentives to list more. I know of many regular sellers who are not listing much, if anything. What they do put on, is mainly lower dollar, more common items. When I see an item drop in final bid price by 75%, I won't list any more! It can wait until a better day. But there are still some good deals to be had. I picked up a very rare, very desireable piece of RRdiana last week. Only the second one known to have ever surfaced. I was the only bidder, and got it for perhaps 5% of what it should have brought. Quite a stunning event! We'll see what the summer brings. If it stays like this into next September, then......... Meanwhile, maybe I'll do some pipe loads on MT flat cars, and list them....... BoxcabE50
I agree with many of the comments made about eBay. I have been buying and selling on eBay since 1997 (my seller ID is chessie). The most important thing to remember is that eBay is a "caveat emptor" arena: make sure you understand what you are bidding on, its condition, and the integrity of the seller (feedback). Another important factor is true value: this means the average selling price of the item, PLUS any shipping and handling charge. [ I saw an item tonight that looked interesting, but the seller was charging $10 for standard domestic shipping; some sellers use shipping/handling as a means to make additional $$$ ] A low item price + high shipping may not equate to a good overall deal. One thing to point out is that eBay has done a lot in terms of bringing buyers and sellers together in a positive manner. I have found more items on eBay that I "wanted" that I have not seen available otherwise, especially in terms off Kadee/Micro-Trains cars and locomtives. Harold
I quite agree Harold, especially that last part about those Kadee/MT cars. I'm looking forward to getting that B&O 60' Boxcar from you. Thanks again, Bob
You have to remember that with eBay you are dealing with anybody/anywhere that is online. This covers the known world, and a few goofballs flying around out in the ozone! There is always somebody looking for a new angle to seperate you from your money. But by and large I find eBay a very standup auction site. I watch the shipping charges also, I feel that a few sellers seem to have the idea to make a little extra $ on the shipping charges also. When I sell on eBay I always offer shipping options. I will ship however the buyer prefers, Priority Mail, Federal Express, or United Parcel Service. I prefer UPS for shipping for several reasons, 1) $100 insurance with each shipment, 2)Free tracking of each shipment, and 3) if you have a claim, UPS will take care of it quickly. I ask the customer for their address and figure the shipping charges for however they want the item shipped. I usually don't charge for packing, but there can be exceptions. I feel that this is a fair way to ship since I am not trying to make money on the shipping charges. One thing that does surprise me is the number of side deals that I get off eBay. I have been buying SHINOHARA trackwork for awhile and several regular sellers that now will email me with deals for odd or excess SHINOHARA trackwork that they come up with. The same goes for KADEE/MICRO-TRAINS SPECIAL RUN cars that I collect. I have gotten alot of extra cars on the side. I guess that I'll get off here I haven't checked eBay, YAHOO!, Amazon yet today! Time to bid!!
My log-in name on ebay is "musecrafter". My biggest complaint about sellers is they leave feedback for me only AFTER i've left THEM feedback. As soon as I've won the bid I immediately pay via Paypal. My feedback should be left based on that factor! The feedback left me always reflect that but sellers hold me hostage by waiting to post it until I've left them favorable feedback. One joker sent me a duplicated disk that was infected with viruses and wouldn't answer any of my emails. I couldn't leave him the appropriate feedback because he flames anyone who does. So I didn't leave him any. [ 11 June 2002, 17:36: Message edited by: espeeman ]
I have the same complaint. Most of the sellers rarely give feedback any more and if they do its only after you leave them first and ask them to do the same after. I had one E bay N scale seller say to me that he has a policy of not leaving feedback for anyone but at the sametime expects feedback to be left for him, if no feedback was left a negative would then be left for you. Ebay finally caught up to this person and removed him but there are many more out their like him. My feedback is 50 but it should be well over 200 with never a negative comment. What I do now is I never ask for feedback any longer, if they leave some I will do the same but other than that I just move on, I'm tired of it being one way.
eBay, like any other selling/buying medium, depends on the honesty and integrity of it's buyers & sellers. I both buy and sell, so I know both ends of the stick. I can only remember 2 bad feedbacks I have given; 1 to a seller and 1 to a buyer. The big thing to look at is the description of the item and the feedback rating of the seller. Note all shipping & handling fees. If they are not listed clearly, send the seller an e-mail asking ahead of time. For you potential sellers out there, give a complete and accurate description of the item you are selling including faults, if any. I've sold stuff that I plainly labelled as having flaws and after describing the flaws in detail. Buyers do appreciate any extra effort you put into your descriptions.
I guess I am really fortunate. So far I have bought 2 Lifelike SD7's at $31.00 each 1 Bachman F7 at $15.00 1 Bachman 4-8-4 northern at $31.00 1 Bachman 4-8-4 Northern at $40.00 1 Central Pneumatic Air Brush kit $10.00 (Lifetime guarantee) All of the above in good condition. I got positive feedback from all of them and gave them all positive feedback. I guess I am just lucky so far.I still check out the Model train forum on ebay but don't plan on buying anything else for a while. (Treasurer clamped down on the budget,wife) [ 11 June 2002, 19:24: Message edited by: Telegrapher ]
There are definately good deals out there if you look, but I even have another use for eBay. I like to look for postcards and photographs of my prototype. Sometimes I will bid on them if it really strikes my fancy, but most of the time I will just nab the photo that they (hopefully) included with the description. A postcard or photograph of my prototype that I haven't seen is worth a king's ransome to me. If the seller provides a nice, detailed picture with the item, even better - my printer prints very nicely. --Joseph [ 11 June 2002, 19:16: Message edited by: JosephFerris ]
I have some stuff under my trainboard handle listed on eBay, till saturday, Check it out! no-paypal Also check this out. Interesting.
Folks, the level of insanity on ebay just increased. Check out these 4 ended auctions: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1739006408 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1739006233 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1739005985 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1739005672 I wanna know what these people are smokin', and I want them to bid on MY auctions. One thing comes to mind: 'thses people have more dollars than sense........'
Sorry to double, but I just scored an identical car set as these, all 16 in GN, for $260! The deals are out there, just gotta look! I saw an identical set as these go on ebay as high as $550+!! I forget the actual closing cost, tho. I was shocked!!!!!
I'm sure Egatco was very surprised and pleased with these bids. On the matter of leaving feedback, I always leave feedback. When I sell an item, as soon as I receive payment, I post feedback and when I receive an auction I won, I post it. I do get a little frustrated by people who don't leave feedback but at least I know I did the right thing.
Won many SP items on ebay. Timetables, mugs, patches, etc, all at very good prices. Haven't bought any N stuff yet. Ebay is a very good place to find rare items. Thom SP#1
The secret to EGATCOs' high priced sales on these GN passenger cars are his photos. Dark fuzzy out of focus ebay pictures do not generate bidding excitement. When I can take pictures as good as his everytime I'll be getting pretty high prices for my ebay N scale rolling stock also. I'm working on that.
If not the secret, it is certainly a major contribution to success. I've passed up listings many times that have horrible photos. Items that I'd love to own. I can't bid on what I cannot see. One thing that helps, is to use a light colored, very neutral background. Like a flat white, very light gray or light tan. If not scanning, shoot outdoors, or in bright lighting. But not under flourescents. (Due to color shifts, darkening, shadows, etc.) BoxcabE50
Look into my eyes The seller "egatco" must have some internet magic mojo going on or something. I am obviously not that luck when I sell on ebay.
