marcr1230
Well-known
Why is it that for anything I want on eBay, there are plenty of overpriced Buy-it-now posts, a decent number of auctions with ridiculous starting prices, and precious few to zero true auctions.
it seems obvious that sellers have been using eBay to advertise goods and
not really interested in market clearing prices. More professional sellers now than garage sale types - at least with respect to photo stuff
it seems obvious that sellers have been using eBay to advertise goods and
not really interested in market clearing prices. More professional sellers now than garage sale types - at least with respect to photo stuff
Vobluda
Well-known
You don't have to go all the way to ebay, it is enough to look at the classifieds here with more than half stuff priced more then at ebay 
patience. never have failed to acquire the gear I want at the price I want to pay (or less.) Most people want immediate gratification so sellers simply accommodate
css9450
Veteran
Given a choice, I'd rather do "Buy It Now" but that is assuming its a reasonable price in the first place. Like you said, many are not; some are crazy high. But I've gotten a few good items using buy it now.
Archlich
Well-known
No one want the overpriced BIN items, so most of them will stay there indefinitely waiting for someone in a hurry.
Check the Sold Listings, save the search, wait for the mail and sweep the bay by yourself, it will show up. Bid. Use a sniping service (against the rules, I know).
These regular chores are a must - deals never come for free.
Check the Sold Listings, save the search, wait for the mail and sweep the bay by yourself, it will show up. Bid. Use a sniping service (against the rules, I know).
These regular chores are a must - deals never come for free.
sevo
Fokutorendaburando
The overpriced auctions tend to stay on as the sellers can repeat them for free, while they would lose the ebay fee if they withdraw them...
'buy it nows' can be ended without a fee.
Use one of the search services to alert you to new listings.
There are often 'buy it now' listings that are quite reasonably priced, or even severely underpriced. But to get these, you have to be looking at the right time and get lucky, or you have to look literally ALL the time, because there are professional dealers all over the world who are doing exactly this, snapping up the bargains immediately. They then just relist them at a profit.
There are also dealers who will negotiate behind the scenes with sellers who don't know what they have. Quite often there are items that appear that are overpriced, for sale by individuals, but they end up selling cheaply because professional dealers will approach the sellers.
Due to the sheer number of listings, professionals don't get all the bargains, tho.
Then there is the listing of the rare Nikon half frame that was discussed here a few months ago. It ended up being acquired by a well-known collector for far below market...and it was a regular auction.
Use one of the search services to alert you to new listings.
There are often 'buy it now' listings that are quite reasonably priced, or even severely underpriced. But to get these, you have to be looking at the right time and get lucky, or you have to look literally ALL the time, because there are professional dealers all over the world who are doing exactly this, snapping up the bargains immediately. They then just relist them at a profit.
There are also dealers who will negotiate behind the scenes with sellers who don't know what they have. Quite often there are items that appear that are overpriced, for sale by individuals, but they end up selling cheaply because professional dealers will approach the sellers.
Due to the sheer number of listings, professionals don't get all the bargains, tho.
Then there is the listing of the rare Nikon half frame that was discussed here a few months ago. It ended up being acquired by a well-known collector for far below market...and it was a regular auction.
sevo
Fokutorendaburando
Hereabouts only if the auction starting price is 1€ (or whatever minimum start value ebay defines for the category). In which case it is no overpriced auction...
A 'buy it now' doesn't have a start price, as it's not an auction, correct?
aicardi
Established
Correct.
There are also "Buy It Now" with "Make Offer". I have done well with some of those.
That's how I sell as well. Fair price with a make offer option.
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
You just have to look closer and spend some time
I've been buying/selling on ebay for years now. I'm always able to find good "BiN", "OBO" deals.
I do sell on e-bay same way. On previous week I have sold 4x5 camera which is listed by others as $500. I sold it for what I have paid for it, $200. This week I've sold the lens for less on ebay what some RFF are asking, sold off the ebay.
What bugs me is USA sellers with ebay-USA shipping where they charge you for not existing taxes and duties.
I've been buying/selling on ebay for years now. I'm always able to find good "BiN", "OBO" deals.
I do sell on e-bay same way. On previous week I have sold 4x5 camera which is listed by others as $500. I sold it for what I have paid for it, $200. This week I've sold the lens for less on ebay what some RFF are asking, sold off the ebay.
What bugs me is USA sellers with ebay-USA shipping where they charge you for not existing taxes and duties.
AZPhotog
Keith S
One major aggravation (resulting in a NO SALE) can be a reasonably priced BIN offer, but when you check out the shipping (especially locally/domestic), the rate is unbelievably high. And I am not referring to the very large, heavy, bulky items. Seems to me there should be eBay restrictions to make things fair in not ripping off the buyers in a roundabout manner. And I have seen feedback where buyers complain of the high shipping cost they paid, only to have the item ultimately shipped more cheaply.
giganova
Well-known
What bothers me are the outrageous Ebay fees. I recently sold a few lenses to buy an M4 kit on Ebay, and then I got an Ebay bill for a few hundred Dollars!
It's a bit late to sell and then check the fee structure.
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
USPS is weird sometimes. They want $60 for one book shipment from New Jersey to Ontario. While I shipped big and heavy travel case with 4x5 metal view camera in it for same amount of money from Ontario to Oregon.
Here is the actual listing:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Soviet-Union...811336?hash=item5d63d439c8:g:5PEAAOSwyjBW4X-q
I checked with seller and USPS. It is $50 or more.
Ontario to Oregon? That could be Canada Post pricing, not USPS, right?
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
Yes, CPC. But 50 USD for one book shipping was highest price from USPS I ever seen
I have free shipping for same size, weight items from BH.
I have free shipping for same size, weight items from BH.
wjlapier
Well-known
Make an offer even if the seller isn't asking for one. It's worked for me. Check new auctions first then ending soon auctions. Many ways to find what you want for a decent price.
Then there are sellers who want to dump something quickly and will sell cheap--I've done that especially when I tried selling here and on fredmiranda and got nothing but lowballs ( mainly FM ).
Then there are sellers who want to dump something quickly and will sell cheap--I've done that especially when I tried selling here and on fredmiranda and got nothing but lowballs ( mainly FM ).
bhop73
Well-known
I've almost always been able to find the stuff I want in BIN listings. Sometimes I have to be a little patient, but it shows up eventually. I almost never bid on auctions because they've always ended up over what I want to pay, without fail.
I recently got lucky with an F2 and lens. I was looking for a specific lens and found one that was about the same cost as other auctions for the same lens, but this one had a "as is" Nikon F2s with it. I figured "what the hey" since I didn't have an F2, thinking it could at least look nice on my shelf if it didn't work. I shot a test roll through it and it turns out it works flawlessly, and the lens is perfect too.
I've sold something that way. I never really put the offer button up, but someone contacted me and I went with it.
I recently got lucky with an F2 and lens. I was looking for a specific lens and found one that was about the same cost as other auctions for the same lens, but this one had a "as is" Nikon F2s with it. I figured "what the hey" since I didn't have an F2, thinking it could at least look nice on my shelf if it didn't work. I shot a test roll through it and it turns out it works flawlessly, and the lens is perfect too.
I've sold something that way. I never really put the offer button up, but someone contacted me and I went with it.
Jockos
Well-known
Please remember that eBay and PayPal fees are huge, sellers need to mark up to earn anything. Hate the game, not the player.