bearman Yup, Rich, that is what a seller can do. Same as in a lot of transactions like buying a car. It all depends on what the seller wants out of the transaction and how badly the buyer wants the item. I am not a huge Ebay customer. Once though, I bought a model structure kit on Ebay for about 30$ over the original manufacturers price. I did some on-line research. The manufacturer had gone out of business and it was not available at any of the usual on-line retail sites. I wanted that structure, so I gulped and paid. It was worth it to me.
Yup, Rich, that is what a seller can do. Same as in a lot of transactions like buying a car. It all depends on what the seller wants out of the transaction and how badly the buyer wants the item. I am not a huge Ebay customer. Once though, I bought a model structure kit on Ebay for about 30$ over the original manufacturers price.
I did some on-line research. The manufacturer had gone out of business and it was not available at any of the usual on-line retail sites. I wanted that structure, so I gulped and paid. It was worth it to me.
But that's a situation where the item is the last one, and you set the market price for a now one-of-a-kind item. Like the little old lady who wont sell out to developers, now her property is worth more because its one of a few left.
I don't think that's the same thing as the item in question which is not the last of its kind and has an established value.
I guess he's just setting a price simply thinking that somebody might have a good reason to buy it at that price. It certainly is strange.
- Douglas
If you read down in the listing, you find that he is selling this as new, never even test run with original box that is in very good condition.
It appears that he is selling to the collector market. For that market, new never run with box in the condition in the photo is important and so is worth extra money.
The collector market is very different from the used market in terms of value and what is important. I don't see this as excessive for the market he is aiming at.
Paul
Sometimes a stupid seller can go in your favor. I saw a buy it now price on a 1/25 model JD backhoe (my other scale)pop up in my face while searching, for about 1/2 the usual dogfight price. I couldn't pound keys fast enough!!! but I got it.
I like BB athearn. An item, "train 6539" was the full extent of the description, and very blurry pictures. (that makes it an Athearn SP GP 35) I could barely make out that it had gray, not black wheels. Took the chance, got it for $5 plus pretty cheap shipping. It was a clean gold motor, brass flywheel, detailed sideframe version. It's currently rolling out ton miles.
Someone put about 15 very precision (coreless motors) quality Minimotor gearheads, 3 namiki planetary gearhead motors and a ton of other stuff not usually associated with model RR in RR cuz there were a few worthless train trinkets in the "junk lot". I stole it for 1/3 what I bid. I've landed other deals too where descriptions are far off accurate, but pictures reveal some gems. Dan
IRONROOSTER If you read down in the listing, you find that he is selling this as new, never even test run with original box that is in very good condition. It appears that he is selling to the collector market. For that market, new never run with box in the condition in the photo is important and so is worth extra money. The collector market is very different from the used market in terms of value and what is important. I don't see this as excessive for the market he is aiming at. Paul
My discussion was more theoretical than about the specifics of the particular listing.
Yes, different markets have different demands. The products therein have different attributes that buyers desire.
caldreamer A few of the comments made about ebay ellers and buyers are true. 1. It is not illegal to over price items, but sellets should not try to gouge buyers with such over inflated prices. Guess they have no scruples.. 2. I partly blame ebay because they do not even try to protect buyers by blocking such sales. I have seen may others like this over the years. 3. The buyer who purchases items at thes infated prices are the stupid ones.
A few of the comments made about ebay ellers and buyers are true.
1. It is not illegal to over price items, but sellets should not try to gouge buyers with such over inflated prices. Guess they have no scruples..
2. I partly blame ebay because they do not even try to protect buyers by blocking such sales. I have seen may others like this over the years.
3. The buyer who purchases items at thes infated prices are the stupid ones.
For the ignorant buyer, there is always the "sort by price and shipping lowest first option"...
I personally think that for things where the seller doesn't know how much he can get, he can put it at a higher price and lower it without being unfair to anyone. In fact, I do it.
I'm beginning to realize that Windows 10 and sound decoders have a lot in common. There are so many things you have to change in order to get them to work the way you want.
SouthgateSometimes a stupid seller can go in your favor. I saw a buy it now price on a 1/25 model JD backhoe (my other scale)pop up in my face while searching, for about 1/2 the usual dogfight price. I couldn't pound keys fast enough!!! but I got it.
Well, this brings up an interesting point. I'm pretty certain that I have never seen anyone on the forum complain that a seller has priced an item too low, nor have I ever heard of any purchaser offering the seller more than the listed price because they didn't want the seller to feel cheated.
rrebell caldreamer A few of the comments made about ebay ellers and buyers are true. 1. It is not illegal to over price items, but sellets should not try to gouge buyers with such over inflated prices. Guess they have no scruples.. 2. I partly blame ebay because they do not even try to protect buyers by blocking such sales. I have seen may others like this over the years. 3. The buyer who purchases items at thes infated prices are the stupid ones. Its called Capitalism. I can ask any price I want for anything legal to sell. I was going to do the traditional "if you don't like it move tp X communist county" but as I thought about it, I can't think of one, they have all morphed to semi Capilalist, even Cuba.
Its called Capitalism. I can ask any price I want for anything legal to sell. I was going to do the traditional "if you don't like it move tp X communist county" but as I thought about it, I can't think of one, they have all morphed to semi Capilalist, even Cuba.
Even a Soviet style economy still had internal market forces and scaling demand and prices.
Without getting into the complexity of the production, sale, and consumption of discretionary retail goods, the scenario of a low pruduction item commanding disproportionate second hand prices was common and behaved largely the same as it did in the West. Worse, in some ways, because it impacted every facet of consumer good through constant production shortages.
The more I think about it, the commercial side of the entire hobby functions largely like the Soviet consumer economy. Fragmented central planning attempts to gauge the market for production, consumers attempt to purchase limited production through the ubiquitous "line" (pre-orders) with some speculation by some line waiters, and a thriving second hand marketplace.
"Never assume conspiracy when the problem can be explained by incompetence".
Take a look at the other items listed by this seller. Only two other model railroad items and a whole bunch of clothes and shoes. Makes me think of that "reality" TV show where the buy abandoned storage units.
I have the right to remain silent. By posting here I have given up that right and accept that anything I say can and will be used as evidence to critique me.
A couple of months back a seller on eBay wanted $600 for a brass Alco Models H20-44 (ca. 1978). While it is somewhat uncommon, it's not a very valuable model - i.e. <$200 according to brasstrains.com. On top of that a couple of the stanchions on the rear platform were loose and needed to be resoldered...AND...it didn't even come with a motor.
I contacted the seller, asked him why the excessive high price, and told him I paid $127 for a "working" version of the exact same model - in better condition. He responded and touted his many years of brass selling experience:
"We have been buying and sell model trains for many years before the ebay sales started in the late 1990's and we have found that as long as people have disposable income you will eventually sell your item for whatever you want."
Out of curiousity I put a watch on the item. When the brass H20-44 didn't sell for $600, the price dropped to $300. When $300 didn't bring in the buyers, it was lowered to $250...then $200...then $180.
Since the item was a "Buy It Now/Make An Offer", I offered the seller $125 then $135, which were both immediately rejected. The seller emailed back after a few days and counter-offered with $160. I toyed with the idea of upping my offer "slightly" but decided to sit on it. A day or two later the H20-44 sold for $180.
All I really wanted was the brass shell so it was no biggie that I didn't get the item. I have no doubt that the seller originally wanted to throw a price out there to see if anyone would bite. Guess there was enough savvy buyers on eBay that knew that $600 - even $300 - was a ridiculous asking price for a non-working/slightly damaged model. Guess the seller wasn't able to sell the item for "whatever [he] want[ed]" - at least originally.
Then there are the sellers who - even after years of posting an item for 2 or 3x the going rate - STILL will not drop their asking price. That's a long time to keep inventory around collecting dust. Their problem; not mine...
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Sometimes it is just a mater of timing. I have seen the exact same item sell one week for $30 and the next week for $60 with a starting price close to $1. Just was wating a brass shop engine and one went for $260 and another went for over $400 and they overlaped each other.
If I think an item is overpriced, I don't bid on it. Just that simple.
I'm sure not going to get my dinkie in a twist about it.
Disclaimer: This post may contain humor, sarcasm, and/or flatulence.
Michael Mornard
Bringing the North Woods to South Dakota!
I see some of those stupid deals, and it occurs to me that they must be some kind of a money-laundering scheme. Not that I'd know how to launder money. ****, I can barely launder my undergarments without turning them pink.
Oh please, money laundering? vast conspiracies by gigantic secret opertives that buy up mechandise and resell as "rare" ? huge world wide operations that are out to change the pricing structure of NOS and after market merchandise? secret operations using Ebay as a "store front"?
It's time to step away from Ebay.........slowly turn away...... and go out in your yard and pick up sticks, or play with the dog, play with the kids, interreact with your spouse? ...... anything, just step away, Ebay will be fine without you.
Mike.
My You Tube
Autonerd I see some of those stupid deals, and it occurs to me that they must be some kind of a money-laundering scheme. Not that I'd know how to launder money. Hell, I can barely launder my undergarments without turning them pink.
I see some of those stupid deals, and it occurs to me that they must be some kind of a money-laundering scheme. Not that I'd know how to launder money. Hell, I can barely launder my undergarments without turning them pink.
Yeah, well, LION has 10 six car subway trains (ergo 60 cars) All have been heavily modified by said LION and are NOT in pristine condition.
LION had looked in eBay in the past about train prices for said cars and found them over priced, but comprable with MTH subway sets.
Hime sees a LL/Walthers four car set for $300.00 and since no longer in production may be a good price. LION would pay that now if him had to.
But Father Terrence came to my nursing office saturday morning complaing of chest pain, and I said I would call an ambulance, but him said no, he would rest and then see how he felt. He was aty\ all prayers and meals, had some saturday night pop corn in his room. Apparently he also took some Pepto Bismol before going to bed.
On Sunday morning he was dead.
If da LION says ewe knead the ER, ewe knead the ER.
But this leads into the mortality of said LION. If him could get to train room more easily him could play with the trains of him. Said MTH set has not been fully modified for use on the Route of the Broadway LION. But the trains have value. I will have to write a document to my brother monks on how to dispose of these things after I am gone.
The trains all have draw-bars, many have been re-motored, and the are wired for 48 wheel power pick-up. I'd prpbably ask $150. a set for them, after all the monks just want to get rid of them.
LION also has more than 50 tortoise switch machines. Could sell them for $10 each (about what I paid for them way back when) Maybe sell the lot of themn for $300.00.
Then there are hundreds of relays worth about $4. each, sell the lot of them as assorted relays for $100.00
There is little else of value there. Well there are other train sets and locomotives, but those can be sold each or in lots.
But, Once I have this foot surgery out of the way I do want to get up there again and play with my trains.
ROARING
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Bayfield Transfer Railway If I think an item is overpriced, I don't bid on it. Just that simple. I'm sure not going to get my dinkie in a twist about it.
Yes. It's all just fodder for the coffee klatch to jaw about such as this and many other topics.
Could be Ebay look at it as even bad publicity is still publicity so these topics are probably doing them a favor!
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Well, this is aggravating, and I guess this is the place to tell the story. I do not want to start a new thread.
.
I won an auction from [seller name removed by moderator] on eBay for the NMRA Heritage Car decorated for the ALTURAS AND LONE PINES built by Whit Towers. I have wanted this one for a while.
After waiting a month, nothing. Tried to contact seller, nothing. Filed case with eBay, no communication. Then after a couple fo weeks my money was refunded with no explanation or communication at all.
The price I won the auction for was fair for this car, and the shipping was high, but I paid it. I wish the seller would have completed the auction.
I went to leave negative feedback, and I found out YOU CANNOT LEAVE ANY FEEDBACK IF THE SELLER REFUNDS YOUR MONEY!
He held my money for 8 weeks with no communication or attempt to resolve my concerns, and I cannot even let me experience with this seller be known.
I have lost all faith in the eBay feedback system now.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
You have to admit it keeps the eBay Trolls occupied.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
I had an instance on eBay a couple of weeks ago where a seller had a starting price of $18.00 for a particular model kit I was interested in, and also Make an Offer option. I made, what I thought, was a reasonable offer of $15. They rejected that, and made a counter offer of $30! Why would I pay double what I thought the item was worth? It ended up selling for $19...
SImply their idea of the value and yours was different. Turns out yours was closer to what other bidders thought, but they still made $4 more by letting the auction run out and getting $19 than they did taking your $15. This isn't something crazy out there, like $1000 crudely repainted Tyco models, that sounds all perfectly reasonable.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Maybe the seller didn't really want to sell it but his wife told him to get rid of some of his "junk". Then he could in good conscience say "dear, I tried to sell some stuff but nobody wanted to buy it".
spe3376 I had an instance on eBay a couple of weeks ago where a seller had a starting price of $18.00 for a particular model kit I was interested in, and also Make an Offer option. I made, what I thought, was a reasonable offer of $15. They rejected that, and made a counter offer of $30! Why would I pay double what I thought the item was worth? It ended up selling for $19...
This type of "bid now" or "make offer" is becoming more popular. The idea is that the staring bid listing is below market value and a bidding war will ensue. It happens with home sales too, where a low list price encourages people to fight for it, making a higher bid in order to make sure they get the item.
I don't know why the seller thinks that will work. I tend to stay away from those listings or simply have my maximum price already decided. The manner in which the item is listed doesn't really change my maximum price.
I suppose some like the thrill of the hunt and winning is more important than value, but that's just a guess.
Kevin, your story is not terribly unusual, but you can't complain about Ebay. You got your money refunded, and Ebay did their job.
Years ago (2005 or so) I bought a $30 steamer. It never arrived, seller disappeared, and Ebay did not guarantee deals at that time. It is different today.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
mobilman44your story is not terribly unusual, but you can't complain about Ebay. You got your money refunded, and Ebay did their job.
I think the complaint is that he is unable to post a negative rating on the seller.
York1 John
York1I think the complaint is that he is unable to post a negative rating on the seller.
Yes, that is exactly my complaint. I used to rely on the feedback system to avoid nonsense like this. If the feedback system cannot be used to talk about this sort of nonsense, why have it?
This is not my first complaint about the feedback system.
This seller has been around a long time and has lots of stuff currently for sale. He completed dozens of transactions across the time I had my issue. It makes no sense. A little communication would have helped a lot.
Ebay probably figures if, at the end of the day, so to speak, the issue was resolved - money refunded or whatever, then the system works.
If you don't like the way he does business, avoid him in the future just like you would any other business or store.
Remember a place in Florida called hobbycircle I thinknit was called. Long gone now. It was a posting like this that allerted many to problems of buying from them. So now with the feedback system useless, these posts can be helpful.
I find that a good number of high prices are from those to lazy to do proper research to start. They see something that is the same and price accordingly. Instead of making sure it is the same. Like an athearn bb being sold at kato or atlas or genesis new prices. Or like a lot ot tyco pieces, because instead of reading the box and writing it up that way and researching it with that info, they make up some wierd name, research on that and find nothing so it becomes rare. Reminds me of the guy who was selling a tyco pulpwood car as rare and one of a kind limited edition at line 50$. There where 5 others on that same pagenof listing for under 10.
If you want to see fantasy pricing. Look at post war lionel. There are some real get rich quick schemes there. Of course most looking there are collectors and have a good idea of real value.
i do have an odd story. I bought a brass GE 80t electric. Built for the pacific electric system. It was hand painted black and grey pourly at that. 125. Shipped out of florida. It never arrived. Yet tracking said otherwise. Told the seller keep an eye out for it if it is returned. Never came back. A couple months later another one came up for the same thing. Painted the same
, same price. Only this one was listed as being in NEW York I put it in The watch file. It sat for like two years. I finally got it when i had that project ready to start. I remembered the one in florida and how this one looks oddly familiar. After some research, found that it was indeed the same one. Same pictures too. To this day, i dont understand how it got to new york if it was tracked and the tracking showed the right address. I looked in NY for a similar address that couldnhave been mistaken. Found nothing remotely close
A pessimist sees a dark tunnel
An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a frieght train
An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space
I agree with Kevin on this. I'm sure ebay feels since no transaction ultimately took place, no harm no foul, but....
I had the same situation. I won an item and paid promptly. The seller did not ship the item, did not communicate, and I had to get ebay involved to get a refund. The issue for me was that there was a similar item offered by another seller and a competitive price during the time I was waiting for the first item to be shipped. Since I had already bought the item from seller #1, I did not bid on the item from seller #2 and missed that chance.
Not only was the entire deal a waste of my time, ebay missed out on me possibly bidding up item #2. I would think they would want sellers to honor their listing. They provide enough opportunites for sellers to list items various ways to get the price they want, so all sales should be honored, IMO.