Sometimes people charge even more than brand new track costs. I've rarely found people charging less than the cost of new track, and if so, the price difference is so minimal I can't imagine why you wouldn't just buy brand new to know you're getting track that wasn't abused or sanded with rough sandpaper. I suppose a few very large bulk lots have reasonable prices if you are willing to drop a lot at once. Anyway... Has anyone else noticed this? How do people get away with charging the same for used HO Kato unitrack as they do for new?
I'm an N Scaler, but it seems that a portion of model train items on eBay are offered at ridiculous prices. My own opinion is that these Sellers are hoarders that don't really want to sell, but post items to somehow feel useful and with hope that someone who's underinformed will submit a bid and pay their price. It makes searching on eBay a laborious and increasingly dull process.
This is really crazy and discouraging. So their goal isn't even to make money or move inventory? If someone buys it, great... But otherwise, they're ok sitting on it? You'd think if they were actually trying to make a sale consistently (not relying on duping people), they'd do market research.
The first part of your premise is certainly a very real possibility. But the second part is as well. Our society is full of people who don't do their due diligence and will bid such an ignorant amount.... Which the latter does have an effect upon us all.