Spook, I thought the stars were anonymous as well. But I was contacted by him in less than 24 hours.... Actually I've had to explain myself before on a purchase last year. Why have stars anyway, Iif the seller can't change because of low stars then why are we scoring? I'm not a seller so I have no idea who benefits by the stars rating. John, I really wanted the item. I would have paid around $24 including reasonable shipping of course. I figured no one else would bid because of the shipping charge. I was right. I figured I save money and got my item. Actually the item came from Arizona if I remember correctly.
In the old days, the seller didn't have to pay commission on the shipping charges. Now it's kind of a...deception. Trying to get people to bid on something with a cheap price but they get stuck with a huge shipping cost. You have to pay attention (or else you just will have to pay). I've seen numerous items listed with extremely high shipping costs, but when you do a search and see 50 items all at $50 and one at $20, some people will quickly place a bid...only to later read about the $40 shipping.
Okay, here's a listing that is just in the wrong location and with STUPID high shipping costs. It's a 1/5th scale shrine (I think it's 1/5th scale), complete with a terrible photo for $761 and $126 shipping: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-5-Edo-shrine-/331039731534?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item4d13816f4e
and I think I've posted this one before but the shipping cost is still fun. A bunch of junk 'Highspeed' engines and cars with some Bachmann engines and cars (one Kato locomotive...listed only as 'KATO PENNSYLVANIA LOCOMOTIVE (12 WHEEL DRIVE'). $3000 plus $150 shipping http://www.ebay.com/itm/HUGE-COLLEC...157535?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item19db0bab9f ...maybe the track is code 55
I always check shipping costs. For crying out loud, it's right there next to the current bid. Anyone who winds up surprised isn't getting any sympathy from me. -Mark
I don' t think they can get your specific rating but if they had a big drop after you rated them and you were the last rater, they can pretty much figure out who gave them one star.
Has eBay changed its policy, to allow people to leave negative and/or unfavourable reviews? A couple of months ago, I read a research paper that suggested that, across the board, at least 30% of the product reviews on the Internet were completely fraudulent. (The writer had never seen, much less used the product.) A different research paper, suggested, that by assuming that all of the reviews in the top third, and the bottom third were fraudulent, and eliminating them, only reviews based upon the experience of using the product, would be left. No fanboys, or anti-fanboys, or fraudulent reviewers, or the like would be found in the middle third.
Shipping costs are not that far out of line, if: It what it purports to be; Uses traditional Japanese construction materials; Follows traditional Japanese construction methods; Is made according to traditional Japanese techniques; Between the bad photograph, and the even worse description, I'm not sure that any of those conditions hold true.
It's one of the "Author Cars"-- not to be confused with the two pack of Linde cars that's available more generally. The N Scale Collector/Enthusiast has a car done each year that is given only to those who write for the magazine. Usually, the only difference is the road number, which is used on only the Author Cars. Given that there aren't many contributors to the magazine, the total run is usually about 30 cars. Early on, it was more like 20. They are officially presented as the NSC/NSE Convention. (If you can't attend they're mailed to you.) The unofficial "first" of these cars was the Cambria & Indiana '1776' hopper that was part of the four piece set with the switcher and caboose (not the way too common single release '1976' of which there are usually dozens of copies on eBay at a time) which was different from those in the set in that it had a price sticker. Yes, the only difference is the price sticker. They were not 'officially' presented at the NSC/NSE convention as they are now but were gifts of appreciation from MTL. Full disclosure: Since I've written for the NSC/NSE since before they started this program, I have a complete set of these Author Cars, including the price stickered C&I 1776 car. I'd love to see the seller get what he's asking for the Linde Author Car, but I don't see that happening. If I do have to sell the set of Author Cars someday, I hope I can at least get a few minutes' worth of college tuition out of them for one of my kids.
Here's another seller with 'Rareitis'. Atlas TOFC flats starting at $24 with a BIN of $50: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200973569090&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:3160 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200973567534&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:3160
More from the same seller. Atlas tank car, $24 with $45 BIN (but it's RARE): http://www.ebay.com/itm/ATLAS-N-SCA...181285?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item2ecaef6165 Bachmann vehicle set starts at $5 but has an $18 BIN (I guess it's not rare since he doesn't say it is): http://www.ebay.com/itm/N-scale-Bac...162601?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item2ecaef1869
Pete, I totally agree with you. I am by no means a prude, but I will not tolerate being sworn at, either in person or via writing. To me the originator shows his true character when he swears at others, which is NO CLASS.
I've stayed away from that "auction" site for quite some time now. I know you used to be able to see how much shipping were. Is it not still that way? That's the main reason I stay away. Between those who sell "rare" stuff to would be collectors to sellers who have excessive shipping and "handling" charges. How much does it cost to handle the order anyways? For a couple of extra bucks I can support my LHS. I am lucky to still have one nearby. I practically live there, and they don't charge me rent either.
You can still see the shipping, in most cases right on the summary listing page (the listing of a lot of auctions-- I look by ending time but that's configurable). Exceptions appear to be when the shipping is calculated and not flat, but that is not always the case. There are still some good deals to be had, though I'd be the first to say that they are fewer and farther between, and harder to see amongst the "noise". As for the sellers I'd rather not see, I have the "ignore list" for that... and it continues to grow.
I got out from that site when they got together/bought out that Pal site. I got tired of paying to list, pictures, then pay to collect money, get money and be forced to use Pal for collections. The only thing I say I've missed out on are lots or large group of cars in a single auction I would have liked to have ie 12 CSX coal hoppers individually numbered, stuff like that. Otherwise, I've done very well buying and selling on yardsale and other forum sites.
