More eBay Humor

OC Engineer JD Jan 16, 2009

  1. Inkaneer

    Inkaneer TrainBoard Member

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  2. gatrhumpy

    gatrhumpy TrainBoard Member

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    Did it come with armed guards?
     
  3. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Well, at least somehow they got the word.
     
  4. umtrr-author

    umtrr-author TrainBoard Member

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    eBay was busy upgrading their hardware so couldn't process all of those questions...

    [​IMG]

    [That's a 1956 photo of a 5MB hard drive...]
     
  5. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Nice one, George. Now if they'd just update their business philosophy.....
     
  6. umtrr-author

    umtrr-author TrainBoard Member

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    It will be really interesting to see what happens now that Paypal, which was considered to be the "growth sector," is now separate once again from eBay. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see "more changes to serve you better." :eek:
     
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  7. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    It is much easier to walk around when our wallets and purses contain a lot less. So they'll likely consider enacting this helpful action ASAP.
     
  8. umtrr-author

    umtrr-author TrainBoard Member

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    More humor directly from that Internet Auction Community's management...

    Went to list an item (non-N Scale) and checked to see what it was being offered for in current listings, and how many times.

    The answer, just a few listings, and all ABOVE the current MSRP for the item. (Don't tell me, let me guess: Rare! Vintage! Out of Production!!!!!)
    (Also, !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

    I go to list my copy, which is brand new, never opened, etc., figuring around 80% of the original (not the current) MSRP might work.... and quoth the helpful algorithm: "Start your listing at 99 cents to attract more buyers - <Go with this"

    I can think of things I'd like them to Go With, but none of them are repeatable in a Family-Friendly Forum :)
     
    Last edited: Jul 27, 2015
    SASRR likes this.
  9. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I have a feeling that one day, sooner than we think, that 99 cent start point will be mandated. Hopefully that will be the breaking point, which is now long overdue.
     
  10. glennac

    glennac TrainBoard Member

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    Don't get me started on the over-used, and down right deceptive use, of the word "NEW!". A 6, 10, or 15 year old item is not "New" by any stretch of the imagination. If you can't prove you are the original owner, and that the item has never been run, then the item should not be advertised as "New".

    Way too much junk is being labeled "New" when it is nothing of the sort. They arrive with dings and scratches, yellowing or frayed packaging, and obvious dust and wear. If someone wants to indicate that an out-of-production item is in mint condition, then they need to use words such as "mint", "unused", "never run". But labeling a 10 year old item as "New!!!" just makes the listing look suspicious.
     
  11. ScaleCraft

    ScaleCraft TrainBoard Member

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    Yet...at least in the old car hobby, we have NOS, NORS, things like that...and you get parts that are 50, 60, 70 years old that seem to be exactly that. And at a high premium.
    (New Old Stock, New Old Replacement Stock)
    Dave
     
  12. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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    A lot of downright shady things happen on the Bay. Long distance photography so the dings are hidden. Claims of new and never been out of the box, but the photograph shows it out of the box. Limited number of photos with some angles purposely avoided to not show the bad side. The listing of new on a P.O.S. that was maybe back in 1968 actually new then. Never run worth a crap then and won't now and absolutely no value except as a parts donor since the company that made it is long since history. That doesn't even begin to make it rare or worth even a fraction of what retail was then. And shipping cost that are way out of line for a small article.

    I occasionally need a book that has been long out of print. When I do I always find them listed as used and an accompanying description will list whether the dust cover is dinged and maybe pages dog eared but all pages intact. Most of them are far cheaper than the original price and the shipping on something both bigger and heavier than an N scale car or loco is far cheaper than most of the stuff I have found listed on the Bay. A mint condition volume will be a little more cost than one with a few more dings but never for more than what the original new volume cost.

    A few of the reasons I will never buy on the Bay and never have. I am beginning to think that a lot of the dirty and dinged overpriced stuff that is seen at some shows and has been dragged halfway across the country is now showing up on the Bay.
     
  13. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Sad, but very true.

    I have been thinking this exact same thing.
     
  14. umtrr-author

    umtrr-author TrainBoard Member

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    I don't disagree, and for the most part items should be listed as "used" by rule, including for example assembled kits. Something that's still in the factory shrinkwrap is an exception in my opinion, though.

    It's actually less onerous to list an item as 'used' than 'new' under eBay's latest policy. You don't have to specify a UPC or Manufacturers' Part Number-- at least not yet.

    But how does one 'prove' original ownership? An image of the receipt? I don't think that's reasonable.

    Boxcab, trust me when I say there's still plenty of stuff that was previously buried in the backyard by Fido at local train shows, and they're still making round trips to and from the attempted seller's premises.

    A mandated listing at 99 cents, or a heavy incentive (like onerous listing fees) to do so might just result in a death spiral. Just let me sell some more stuff before that's implemented...
     
  15. glennac

    glennac TrainBoard Member

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    Actually, my point was more along the lines of, if you don't know where an item came from originally, you can hardly claim it is "New!". So specifically speaking of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th hand owners. I should have been clearer.
     
  16. Kenneth L. Anthony

    Kenneth L. Anthony TrainBoard Member

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    I agree with most of your opinion, but about the shipping: Can't books be shipped at "Media Mail" rate (used to be called "book rate")? Whereas N scale car or loco cannot, and must be placed in box big enough to put a shipping label on it, regardless of item's actual size.
     
  17. umtrr-author

    umtrr-author TrainBoard Member

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    Ken, yes, Media Rate works for books, and also for recordings (CDs, records). Not for "merchandise."

    The current minimum price for a "package" per standard USPS domestic rates is now $2.54. That's for a one to three ounce package. Some N Scale cars in a padded envelope can squeak under that weight.
     
  18. glennac

    glennac TrainBoard Member

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    I don't know about that. I've received some pretty tiny boxes, not much bigger than the MicroTrain jewel case inside with small labels. USPS delivered it without issue.

    Thing I DON'T appreciate is charging the buyer for Priority Mail, and then sending it First Class instead. Taking a Priority Mail box, turning it inside out, charging for PM but sending it slower & cheaper. Obviously the seller had the PM box and that's what the buyer paid for - then ship it PM! Or packaging a small item in an obviously oversized box just so the seller can claim higher shipping fees. Practices like these are deceptive and dishonest.
     
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  19. umtrr-author

    umtrr-author TrainBoard Member

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    ...or sticking it in an envelope with a stamp...
     
  20. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I certainly know this. It seems to happen even more with Lionel and tinplate, as people believe that stuff is solid gold, even when nearly pulverized.
     

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