Ebay Any One?

Gandalf Parker · #1 August 27th, 2006, 06:28 PM

Working with CafePress shops the biggest problem I have with Ebay is that no one wants to do a real auction anymore. They want to SELL things on ebay instad of auctioning them. Its a real pain to get them to try it without theminimum bid and [censored] even though they can make more that way.

Gandalf Parker

Atrocities · #2 August 27th, 2006, 06:43 PM

What I hate most, apart for the scamming, is that you place a bid for an item, and then have too keep bidding because someone has a minimum bid set. WTF! THe buy it now feature is neat but like GP said, takes away from the auction aspect. Ebay is more a big on line garage sale now. "I give you dollar!"

geoschmo · #3 August 27th, 2006, 09:09 PM

Yeah, I'm with you on that one AT. I've never understood the point of the reserve auction. If you won't take less then a certain amount for an item, then set that as the minimum price. Why set it up as a reserve auction and make people guess what the starting price is? Can someone explain what the purpose of that feature is?

Azselendor · #4 August 27th, 2006, 10:35 PM

I've bought and sold stuff on ebay, and rarely had problems once I figured out ebay is deathly afraid of credit card company and bank charge-backs

Azselendor · #5 August 27th, 2006, 10:42 PM

The purpose of the reserve price is to ensure the seller makes the minimum amount and also entice the buyer into bidding by creating the apperance of a lower price.

I went to a hard-wood furniture auction a few months back here in orlando and the seller was using reserve prices. A lot of people was rip with him because the auctioneer would close the auctions below the reserve price so he could get to other tiems, but we who bid on thos items and it was below the reserve got nothing.

AngleWyrm · #6 August 27th, 2006, 11:33 PM

Wow, you guys have had some bad experiences on eBay.

I bought a poster (Nagel-"blue sweater") on eBay, and it went down just like it was supposed to.

I checked the advertizer's record, made sure that there were a LOT of transactions, and looked at the complaints vs good words. When I got the poster, it was in new condition, well packaged, and I posted a positive comment for the seller's record.

The only trouble I had with the process was that I didn't understand how Paypal worked, so I mistakenly transferred money INTO my paypal account to cover the purchase. However, Paypal deducted the purchase directly from my bank account, not the balance of my Paypal account.

Atrocities · #7 August 28th, 2006, 02:10 AM

Thats PayPal for ya.

Google Paypal for more examples of odd behavior.

Randallw · #8 August 28th, 2006, 04:28 AM

I have used Paypal only once. I ordered a specialist book from the author. He offered to sign it. I had no problems though I seem to recall back then I did put money into the paypal account. When it came up for renewal I didn't bother because people were warning me about them. My Boss likes Paypal but told me the one problem is when people buy stuff their money goes into his account and he has to pay back his own business.

SilverRat · #9 August 28th, 2006, 09:52 AM

I have had good luck with both eBay and PayPal, so far. I do avoid the 'local pick-up only' items, I'd rather pay shiping from around the corner than 'expose' more information about myself or put myself or my family into any danger.

Gandalf Parker · #10 August 28th, 2006, 11:54 AM

Using "reserve" instead of "minimum" is quite logical. It makes use of the auction psychology. Once someone is in it, going up another 25 cents is easy. Thats why an auction can often sell higher than a sale. A reserve can piss some people off and make them leave but it works better than a minimum.

People who wimp out by putting minimums (or to a lesser level, reserves) and then complain that they never did well on ebay are not doing their homework.