Moving in the Right Direction

[Honu-Hugger]

Here's a step in the right direction: eBay regretfully informed me that they had to lower my "Power Seller" (read: "Power Buyer") status from Silver to Bronze -- not enough transactions last month, darn... 😀 😀 😀. However, they did inform me that I can regain my position through their monthly review -- fat chance! I look forward to the day when I actually close my account with them, that will be cause for real celebration.

Another interesting twist at eBay that has always bemused me; you "win" the auction if you are the fool that agrees to pay the most money for whatever is being sold -- I'm not sure how much of this "winning" I can take!!! 😀

 

[Doug]

Yes, I think calling it "winning" is a psychological salve for having agreed to pay more than anyone else!

Still, sometimes getting a good deal on eBay involves taking an educated chance and leaping for it at the right time. For me, I suppose I've "won" when I've moved correctly on very poorly crafted auctions, full of incorrect info, no pics, pics revealing a (superficially) dirty item, poor ending times, and other defects that inhibit bidding by others. Of course, this could well be "losing" if the gamble doesn't pan out... but I sure don't call it "losing" when I'm outbid!

 

[Honu-Hugger]

I have to agree, Doug. Out of all fairness eBay is probably the closest example of a free and open market that we are likely to experience. I for one am truly grateful for what eBay has done for photographers and enthusiasts like ourselves. I would have close to no reasonable access to this equipment where I live (but I do have friends and relatives I could have pressed into service😀). I like to joke about it because many of us seem to struggle with controlling it -- although not me, of course.

 

[Doug]

Of course! 😀 It certainly is a rich resource for shopping, and both good and bad deals happen all the time. I've had a few notable successes that are easy to recall at will... and I've paid too much a couple times... But in trying to remember disasters, only one close call springs to mind. I had bid on a 20-40mm zoom lens for Pentax Auto 110, several of which had sold for insane prices... like around $200. Collectors I guess. On this auction, I had bid $91 and didn't "win". I don't recall why now, but the auction didn't complete, perhaps the "winner" declined to buy. Anyway, I got an email from the seller after the auction offering the lens at my bid price... outside of the eBay establishment. That should have been a warning flag, but I bit, paid, waited. And waited, and waited for the lens to arrive. With no response to emails, I finally concluded I'd been had. Then around a month later, it showed up in good shape! So maybe it should be counted a "win" after all - undeserved - at the low price despite the anxiety.

I suspect some eBay users get hooked on the tension of the process. Could be some similarities to gambling.

 

[Honu-Hugger]

Well, this really is my last visit to ebay. I mean, I really wasn't even going to go there tonight but they send these reminder notices -- of course I'm going to cancel that "feature." But this was another of one of less than 750 lenses produced, and who among us can really get by without a 360/5.5? 😉

I know, it's a problem and I promise to "twelve step" tomorrow 😀

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3879472628

 

[DougK]

I'm proud of myself, I haven't looked at eBay in over two months 🙂 Of course, now I have friends asking me to do photography or to make prints of my existing stuff for them, so I haven't had nearly as much time to be tempted 🙂

There's hope for you, too D2 🙂

 

[Doug]

LOL, Doug2, you're just incorrigible! 🙂 Who indeed doesn't need a 360mm Tele-Xenar for Alpa mount? Probably not too many of those floating around, grab it when you can. I note the other bidders seemed to run out of steam a day or two ago, leaving you a clear field.

Staying busy should help, Doug K, but you know hanging out at RFF is dangerous!

 

[Honu-Hugger]

I'm going to write this in all seriousness: of course, it's a surprise to no one that there is a certain satisfaction when scoring a good eBay hit, and it can be compelling. But in all honestly, the most satisfying feeling for me is taking this gear out and capturing a decent photo -- that's a solid feeling that stays with me for much longer than any eBay "score." Alright, than most any eBay score -- there really are bargains on eBay and it's of course part of the sirens draw. But I like my recent "Two Bulls" picture more than this lens score. The lens is one thing, the bull picture will last.

 

[Pherdinand]

I still remember how happy i was when i won the contax on the 'bay. Between all those evil snipers and cheating sellers and dragons and stuff, i managed!

 

[schaubild]

Which "two bulls" picture? Must have missed it?

 

[wlewisiii]

But Ilike my recent "Two Bulls" picture more than this lens score. The lens is one thing, the bull picture will last.

That is a very good shot, sir. There is a certain joy in getting something good at a great price. But the real joy is using it to get light captured on celluloid and paper.

William

 

[Honu-Hugger]

That is a very good shot, sir. There is a certain joy in getting something good at a great price. But the real joy is using it to get light captured on celluloid and paper.

William

Thank you, William. I've been checking through last nights posts looking for any martini inspired faux pas (my much better half was out last night, leaving me alone with the liquor bottles -- always risky😀) Tooting my own horn about a mediocre snap shot is the worst offense I've uncovered so far...

 

[Honu-Hugger]

Which "two bulls" picture? Must have missed it?

I took a shot with the new Kinoptik with Akalai in mind; he made an excellent suggestion that with the new lens I revisit the herd of horses I photographed a few months ago, but I did not have enough time to get there before nightfall. Instead I ran down to the Diamond Dragon Ranch and took a few shots at their bull pen...nothing special -- just the martinis talking last night😀

I know not to drink and drive, now I have to train myself to step away from the computer after I've had a few😱

 

[schaubild]

I almost regret having asked.... 🙂

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Hi. My name is Brian. This is my EBay story for the week.

I just got Paypal'd $150 for stuff that t paid $30 for.

Then I saw a Canon Vt in User condition for a $140BIN that the serial number was only 14 away from my own Canon Vt. FOURTEEN CAMERAS! THEY SAT TOGETHER!!! CLICKING FINGER WAS TWITCHING!!!

I posted the link here at RFF in the HOT DEAL ALERT thread and it was gone within minutes.