Minor ebay annoyance: "Rare" items

sarabande

Ive even seen "Winner" being used! It is awfully annoying when trying to whittle down search results, this plus missuse/overuse of "vintage" plus people writing more poular brand or band names in the title.

LilahDavies

I very much agree with the above posters and their remarks on reserve prices - what is the point?
Even as a seller I can;t see the attraction of this - you could end up not selling an item for a small amount below your reserve price just because no-one knows what it is. If you want £500 and no less then start the bidding at £500 instead of wasting everyone's time. It costs you more to put a reserve on items as well!

RHemmings

I also dislike reserve prices. Generally the first thing I think when I see an auction with a reserve price is the that seller will be an idiot and the reserve will be considerably more than the item is worth. Before I offend large numbers of sellers (too late?) can I say that I often look at items where a large proportion of listings are massively overpriced and will never sell. Often items that would have sold for thousands a decade or two ago when they were new, and now they're only worth a few hundred. Among these, it's very rare to see an item ever reach its reserve.

custardy

LilahDavies wrote: »

I very much agree with the above posters and their remarks on reserve prices - what is the point?
Even as a seller I can;t see the attraction of this - you could end up not selling an item for a small amount below your reserve price just because no-one knows what it is. If you want £500 and no less then start the bidding at £500 instead of wasting everyone's time. It costs you more to put a reserve on items as well!

its handy if you are feeling out the market to see what prices people will bid on a new/unusual item

RHemmings

custardy wrote: »

its handy if you are feeling out the market to see what prices people will bid on a new/unusual item

You can do that with a high starting price and "make offer". I prefer "make offer" as I feel that it gives me a chance to say what I feel something is worth. I know what the seller wants for the item, and I can say what I would be prepared to pay for it. Simples.

custardy

RHemmings wrote: »

You can do that with a high starting price and "make offer". I prefer "make offer" as I feel that it gives me a chance to say what I feel something is worth. I know what the seller wants for the item, and I can say what I would be prepared to pay for it. Simples.

well I dont knw about you but Im usually a bit lower on my offers

Enfieldian

Having watched a few auctions over the last couple of days I am now in total agreement about the stupidity of reserve prices.

One item started at 99p, now at £1,500 after 7 bids and the reserve has not been met.

I bet that doesn't sell this time around.

But I just wish people wouldn't state "No reserve" in their headings when they have already set a start price which effectively is their reserve......

hermum

Enfieldian wrote: »

Having watched a few auctions over the last couple of days I am now in total agreement about the stupidity of reserve prices.

One item started at 99p, now at £1,500 after 7 bids and the reserve has not been met.

I bet that doesn't sell this time around.

But I just wish people wouldn't state "No reserve" in their headings when they have already set a start price which effectively is their reserve......

That isn't a reserve though, it's the least they will accept & isn't hidden.
It's the best way of doing it, that way you know that if you only get 1 bidder it will sell for the price you want.

interstellaflyer

I'm into Radio Control Aerplanes and I often see items described as 'Vintage' on one accasion this terminology was linked to a 10 year old chinease mass produced engine, common as muck and worth tops £10

Enfieldian

Enfieldian wrote: »

Having watched a few auctions over the last couple of days I am now in total agreement about the stupidity of reserve prices.

One item started at 99p, now at £1,500 after 7 bids and the reserve has not been met.

I bet that doesn't sell this time around.

But I just wish people wouldn't state "No reserve" in their headings when they have already set a start price which effectively is their reserve......

Just over a day left to go.

10 bids now, just over £2,000 and still under the reserve.....