I agree with you, rich. It puzzles me why folks just don't list the item with a reserve. It can't harm the seller's objective and can only stimulate more interest in the item than it otherwise might. High opening bids drive me away.
Jack
IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.
TimboyRich: I'm at a slight loss to understand why that auction received no bids at all. Perhaps it is because the seller posted pics of what looked to me like a set in excellent condition, yet rated it as "very good". I usually don't bid on an auction where I think I see a contradiction. Also, I'm not prone to spend that much money in an Internet auction. I want the chance to see the item close up and even handle it. I NEVER bid on an item when the seller has a list of his rules & regulations that exceeds the length of his item description. Such was not the case on this auction, however. He may have to list each item separately for them to sell. If he does, he may actually get more for them than as a set. Didn't Henry Ford say something about that? -Timboy
Tim,
I agree with everything you said. Making an opening bid of $900, sight unseen except for the photos, is risky. At the same time as the auction was in progress, Marty's Trains was offering the same item at the same price. If I had to choose, I would go with Marty's Trains so i would have some recourse if there were any problems with the item in question.
Too bad that the eBay seller didn't start the auction at a lower opening bid, even if he added a silent reserve to the mix. Maybe he will re-list at a lower opening bid.
Rich
Alton Junction
stebbycentral Sellers set the opening bid based upon what they feel they need to get for the item, so prices can be all over the place.
Sellers set the opening bid based upon what they feel they need to get for the item, so prices can be all over the place.
True, but he could have started the bidding lower with a silent reserve. That would stir up more action, arguably, yet he still gets his minimum price or he doesn't sell.
Although not train related, here is an ebay item that went for nearly $7,000, although the required opening bid was only $0.99.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Atari-2600-Atlantis-II-2-CIB-and-Contest-T-Shirt-/220602542802?cmd=ViewItem&pt=US_Vintage_Video_Games&hash=item335cefaad2
Sellers have to take chances.
I'm don't understand why there are not more AF diesel pictures posted here on this forum. There has to be a lot out there, no?
Part of the reason that this auction didn't draw any bidders may be that there were and are other auctions of the same or similar items in competition with it. Sellers set the opening bid based upon what they feel they need to get for the item, so prices can be all over the place. There are several AF passenger sets currently being offered at half that figure, OTH there is one auction where the seller wants $800 just for the 3 locomotives.
But this the one I really laugh at:
http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-1920S-AMERICAN-FLYER-SET-BOX-1221-VERY-GOOD-/350333034604?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item519179e06c
Yep, they are selling an empty box, for $70!
I have figured out what is wrong with my brain! On the left side nothing works right, and on the right side there is nothing left!
richhotrain Saw this 8 piece set on eBay. Can't believe that it is worth $900. Anyone have any thoughts on the fair market value of such a set? http://cgi.ebay.com/American-Flyer-Santa-Fe-8-piece-passenger-set-/250632673053?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item3a5adf171d Thanks. Rich
Saw this 8 piece set on eBay. Can't believe that it is worth $900. Anyone have any thoughts on the fair market value of such a set?
http://cgi.ebay.com/American-Flyer-Santa-Fe-8-piece-passenger-set-/250632673053?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item3a5adf171d
Thanks.
The auction ended tonight with no bids.
Whether or not it is worth $900 or more is one question.
Starting the bidding at $899 is another question.
I will watch to see if the seller opens another auction and if he does so whether he will start the bidding at a lower price.
richhotrain Thanks, guys, for your help and advice. I only wish that the starting bid was a lot lower so I could get a better feel for the auction. At a starting bid of $899, the seller may get no bids at all. He may not want to take lower than $899, but without a chance to touch, feel, and run it, no one may not want to bid that high. I just wonder if this has been previously listed and, if so, how often. Rich
Thanks, guys, for your help and advice.
I only wish that the starting bid was a lot lower so I could get a better feel for the auction. At a starting bid of $899, the seller may get no bids at all. He may not want to take lower than $899, but without a chance to touch, feel, and run it, no one may not want to bid that high. I just wonder if this has been previously listed and, if so, how often.
The fact that there are no bids at this time isn't necessarily significant. There are still 4 days left in the auction. In my experience the serious bidding won't even begin until the last 12 to 24 hours of the offering.
$1100 would be a very good deal
Rich,
That is set # 5580H The New Chief from 1955. Doyle's book values it at $1,900 in Excellent condition and $2,100 Like New. Personally, if I had the money right now, I wouldn't hesitate to bid. Flyer diesels and diesel set seem to be very sought after.
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