So I watch every favorite spot On30 item everyday. and tonight, WOW, crazy prices! Must be noobs bidding too high. Many items are a bit higher than the BUT IT NOW prices he lists.!That IS crazy stupid. here are some examples: -On30 Climax no sound at $124.72 and not done yet. I think these are only $105 BUY IT NOW. -On30 Forney in the $94 range -On30 2-8-0 for $91.00 - a decent bid is $70 -Skeliton Log cars (3 set) for $49.99 - everyday at some online hobby stores for $42.99. and you must remember, that favorite spot shipping is a little high comparing to buying a bunch of things at a online hobby store. I was talking about Favorite spot on Altas forum today, I wonder if a bunch of noobs went there bidding up stuff without knowing what things usually go for. it pays to watch a fews weeks or a month to see what a good deal is, then patience is your friend.
I've watched quite a few Favorite Spot auctions. While I have seen many that go easily under his Buy It Now, have also noted how many times they'll exceed his BIN listings. There are constantly so many repeat listings from that store, and their offerings are not rarities. So, I just chuckle, knowing there will soon be another batch. Boxcab E50
I generally won't bid with those folks because I get mopped up by other bidders too quickly. It is amazing to me how much folks will pay to HAVE it now, rather than wait till it comes round again for a lower price. I try not to bid on the commercial folks stuff as often as I bid on the guy who is just trying to sell his stuff. Anyway, don't want to make this a "bust on the Bay" discussion. My main thing is that it is THE place to see all of the On30 stuff in one place. Prices aside, it is worth watching everyday.
I watch all of the bids as sometimes they go cheap. like an On30 shay I won for $67. On30 2-8-0 for $69. it's like noobs get on there and bid too high - sometimes $25 more than BUY IT NOW price, or what I see most is: compitition. two guys bidding it up against each other because they lack self-esteem and self control and need to just beat the other guy. fools!
This is somewhat like the first time hunter. Who simply starts banging away at anything moving. Which is called "buck fever." Perhaps at auctions, it's bid fever. Boxcab E50
Am I missing something here? eBay BIN price for standard On30 boxcar ~$16 vs. online hobby shops in the $20 - $26 range. Or is the problem with locomotives only? SPECTRUM ON30 BOX CAR TRAIN GREAT NORTH 27011 $16.00 Bachmann On30 Box Car GN, LIST PRICE $28 #160-27011$19.60 (Lowest I found anywhere except eBay.)
Hmmmmm....what are the shipping cost comparisons? Some folks on the Bay make their money THAT way. I think the best way to go is comparison shopping. Sometimes the BIN is better than the open auctions, but other times the open auctions end up being lower than BIN. I also always figure in the shipping and that dictates my "maximum" bid. But there again, if I KNOW it is a unique item and I want it for the layout I will keep upping the bid regardless of shipping.
eBay has been trying to "discourage" [i.e., crack down on] this practice; if you are a victim of inflated/seriously overstated shipping charges, complain! Also, there is now an opportunity to leave feedback on the reasonableness of shipping charges (one to four stars); check this before you bid. Moreover: if the eBay Seller is using the shipping calculator, you can see what the estimated shipping costs to your zipcode would be; you can then go out to the USPS or UPS websites and independently estiamte shipping costs yourself and compare. If you detect a big discrepancy, ask the seller about it before you bid. I got one seller to come down from $17 to $10 on shipping something to me from Canada with the simple line "$17 seems kinda high ..."
I like their new feedback set up and the fact that they are trying to discourage overcharging for shipping, but I still see a lot of it. I did not think about haggling with the seller tho, that is a good idea!
You need to do more searching. lowest price I found off ebay was $15.99 trainworld online: www.trainworldonline.com But only for rolling stock, the locos are far more expensive than favorite spot. also micro-mark: http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Department&ID=161 But micro-mark it is THEIR choice of road name. = lame That ebay seller favorite spot has some great deals. however, the buy it now is only ok. the shipping for that one box car is $7! many internet retailers will ship a whole order for that much or close to it. Favorite spot will cut you a combined shipping deal, but if buying more than one, you are better to buy them elsewhere. there are places that sell the boxcars, tank cars, flat cars, gondollas for $15.99 see above - same as favorite spot, but shipping is much cheaper in the end. But, Favorite spot has by far the best prices on non-sound On30 Locos. and the other items he bids out as well.
Unless I've read their information messages incorrectly, the new setup does not allow a seller to leave neg FBK for a bum buyer. Which if true is absolute nonsense. Sheer and utter stupidity. And leaves the door wide open for abuse from buyers. I know several other sellers who have interpreted it this way. And they're mighty unhappy! :thumbs_down: Boxcab E50
WOW no kidding? Since I don't sell, only buy, I have not seen that end of it. If that IS true then it is entirely unfair to the seller...
I'd like to be wrong. But it certainly seems to read as I've described. If true, and abuse starts, you can bet a bunch of regular sellers will bail. Myself included. Boxcab E50
Hey, if On30 is going for crazy prices it sounds like it's time for people with something to unload to sell sell sell.
If only I could bring myself to part with any of it...even the stuff I know I will never use...but I just can't let go of that "well I might be able to kitbash it" feeling of the original On30 Conspiracy
Ah, if only I was interested in selling. Right now I'm looking for a few specific pieces, so I can afford to be selective, and "shop a little harder" -- eBay isn't the only place to buy stuff.
Has anybody had experience with this situation? My wife just left negative feedback for a real stinker of a seller less than a week ago. eBay's automatic admonishment that feedback can't be withdrawn, etc. came up, but when she clicked on the "leave it anyway" button, it went through just fine. Here is the current page about feedback on eBay, and an excerpt from that page: http://pages.ebay.com/help/feedback/feedback.html Feedback - Overview Feedback represents your permanent reputation as an eBay member. It’s made up of comments and ratings left by other eBay members you've bought from and sold to. These comments and ratings, along with your overall Feedback Score, are available in your Feedback Profile. How Feedback works For each transaction, buyers and sellers can rate each other by leaving Feedback. Feedback consists of a rating (positive, negative, or neutral), and a short comment.
What your wife experienced was normal for taking those steps. It's been that way for a long time. Here is what I am speaking about. It was received in a general broadcast e-mailing to all sellers. (January 29, 2008.) These are supposed forthcoming changes. No date mentioned: "3. Feedback Changes Significant changes coming soon will increase buyer confidence and showcase good sellers. Buyers will only be able to receive positive Feedback: Feedback Changes The eBay Feedback system was designed to provide a simple, honest, accurate record of member experiences. Focusing on customer service includes doing everything we can to grow customer confidence in our sellers. -Buyers will only be able to receive positive Feedback. -Positive repeat customer Feedback will count (up to 1 Feedback from the same buyer per week.) -Feedback more than 12-months old won't count towards your Feedback percentage. -When a buyer doesn't respond to the Unpaid Item (UPI) process the negative or neutral Feedback they have left for that transaction will be removed. -When a member is suspended, all their negative and neutral Feedback will be removed. -Buyers must wait 3 days before leaving negative or neutral Feedback for sellers with an established track record, to encourage communication. -All Feedback must be left within 60 days (compared to 90 days today) of listing end to encourage timely Feedback and discourage abuse. -Buyers will be held more accountable when sellers report an unpaid item or commit other policy violations." Apparently they've hired some incredibly stupid staff. This has to be the most convoluted, illogical nonsense I've seen in my eleven years of selling via that outfit. :thumbs_down::thumbs_down::thumbs_down: Boxcab E50
I'm watching an item offered by Favorite Spot right now. Ends tonight. If the price stays down, so far.... And if my wife doesn't blow up our other vehicle, :tb-mad: like she did last time.... Boxcab E50
If you buy or sell on eBay, please visit this site: http://answercenter.ebay.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1000107755&tstart=2&mod=1202937965194 Get the facts, make up your own mind, and let eBay know what you think of these proposed changes. eBay only exists because it has buyers and sellers. Good decisions should be rewarded. Bad decisions should be punished.
