"There are 41 people watching it. I don't know what it's worth, but I've had a ton of e-mails telling me how rare it is, and I don't want to short myself." Okay, we've all been there. We're reading an auction description, and it's obvious the seller doesn't really know EXACTLY what he's got, but he's selling it anyway. Maybe the description is lacking, maybe he wrote something like "I've been told the Buicks had closed driveshafts, but this transmission has been changed to work with a regular drive shaft" or he's got it labeled poorly so instead of "Flat Head Edelbrock Heads" he's listed it under "Ford Heads" Now, if you're not interested in buying the part, you might be thinking to yourself "Hey, I'll click on "E-mail seller" just to let him know what it is." Deep down inside, what you're really thinking is "Hey, I'll click on "e-mail seller" and walk in there like Big John Stud swingin' his 12-inch dick and show this total stranger that I know something about what he's selling. Because I'm an authority. I like to show total strangers how big my dick is, and I like it when they're impressed, and I like hearing them say 'Thank You!' for showing them." If you ever find yourself in that position, go ahead and step back for a minute, mind your own business, and let the guy selling something he knows nothing about get a few bucks in his pocket and be happy, and let some other guy get a great deal. There's nothing wrong with letting the free market work. There's nothing wrong with letting someone (another total stranger) get a good deal. Heck, let it happen and then think to yourself after the auction is over "Damn, that guy got a really good deal" when you see what someone bought it for. I've had self-important know-it-alls blow a '56 Buick 3spd trans auction, an Nailhead adjustable rocker arm auction, and now a freakin' complete 2x4 engine with trans auction! All of them were being sold by guys who kinda sorta knew what they were, but didn't know Buick specifics. The trans and rocker arm auctions were stopped early because the buyer was told what they were, and went in to the file and ended the auction early because "the description was wrong" as per ebay rules. "That's a tailshaft from an Olds, and the Ansen shifter is really rare. That's a very rare and sought-after set-up you've got there." Honest to God, that's what the posted question/answer was! The 2x4 engine is going to be pulled for the same reason, as per his e-mail to me today. It's got a day left and is sitting at about $250, pick-up only. I'd fucking drive to Jersey from Atlanta next weekend to pick up a 2x4 Nailhead, finned valve covers, all the linkage and 400 trans for under $500. One of the guys who's blown the auctions has been on this board, and he also hangs out at a Nailhead specific board, where I will also post. But I figure my experiences aren't the only ones, so I thought I'd throw this up here to remind us all to stop and ask ourselves "Why do I feel the need to tell a total stranger that what he's selling is worth more than he's asking--and thereby blow a great deal for some other enthusiast?" -Brad
maybe you should shut the F*** UP! Deal with it , offer the guy a couple o hundred more and a flat of beer......quit whining you sissy. Or lie and tell him they actually made a million of those setups, and they are worthless, people who don't know, will listen to anyone who sounds like they know what they are talking about. Are you just mad because you didn't get to rob anyone?
Those mislisted types DO NOT BOTHER me......... It's the mislisted 32 Fords........that are clearly something else......trying to increase it's value... Or the real false ones....claiming to be a X@#^* and it clearly is not.....
I've been in the same boat, but then again I went to see a '59 Chevy pickup a week or two ago that was listed wrong, I gave the guy the lowdown on the truck. He pulled the listing and relisted it with everything I told him for more money. Sometimes it sucks but sometimes it seems like the right thing to do. Karma and all that stuff. I don't want to take advantage of anyone, same as I don't want someone taking advantage of me. You know the whole treat others as you would have them treat you. So sorry I can't fall for you sour grapes post....
Z- I'm with you. There was a thread earlier about folks ending auctions early; it's a different side of the same coin. Deal straight - man-to-man - and if it works, parts and dollars change hands. If it don't - then the stuff sits. It usedta be a bitch rolling into a guy's drive and asking if he wanted to sell his ninteen-aught XX field car. The instant I ask, the value increases tenfold. It's just how it is - human nature.
Naaa, I'm not looking for sour grapes sympathy...And I strongly believe in treating others like you'd want to be treated. But if I'm listing a "Chevy Rear End" and some guy asks me to get the casting numbers for him, and he finds out it's for a '62 Corvette, I wouldn't expect him to tell me, because I should have found out before I listed it if I want top dollar. What about the kid who's cleaning out his grandma's garage, and finds "a bunch of old Ford parts his grandpa had from when he raced them back in the '50s"? You're standing there with cash in hand...are you going to tell the guy that you'd love to go home with all that stuff, but you've only got $500, and it's worth a bunch more, so go ahead and list it in the newspaper for more." Or the "Old Ford that's too rough to do anything with" turns out to be a chopped '32 5-window body. Or the '34 Ford some guy here found is being sold for half what it's worth...I didn't notice anyone saying "Do the right thing and offer that lady $35K instead of the $10,500 she's asking." It's the busy-bodies looking for their 15 minutes with a stranger that I find irritating. The guy that's sent those e-mails to sellers is curiously quite about parts when he's bidding on them. -Brad
Lets see.....You are Pissed Off because you didn't get a chance to take advantage of someone else's ignorance ?
I agree with Brad54. What he's describing is interference by someone who has no personal interest in bidding. It is no more altruistic to help the seller than the buyer. By causing the seller to jack up the prices, it ultimate drives the cost of our hobby into the stratosphere, for there are no more bargains to be had. One has to balance out getting screwed a few times with a few bargains. if there are no more bargains for the buyers, the everage of all buying transactions is one big screw job. Besides, interferring is what busy-bodies do. Nobody likes a busy-body.
That's about right. I sell shit on eBay all the time, and occasionally people fill me in with details that I'm not aware of. Sometimes it's good stuff, sometimes I find out I don't have what I thought I have. I appreciate it and I do it for other people sometimes, too. Nothing wrong with that. So what if a seller has a part listed as fitting a '50 whatever, and it really fits a '51? Someone might buy it expecting it to be for the '50 model and it doesn't fit. If someone who knows would have been helpful and filled them in, the buyer would be happier to get the correct part and the seller would have accurate info that might bring more $. Everyone wins.
What PO's me is, you've made a deal at a swap meet, and some bozo tells the seller, that '43 Whiz gronkulator is worth 500 bucks! Don't sell it for 50! You say, will you give him 500 for it? Well, no, I don't want it! Well,SHUT THE @#%&* UP!!
Ha ha... Once, at a real auction, I was bidding on a "battery charger" that I knew was a Snap-On Plasma Cutter. I had the high bid at $35.00... going once... going twice... UNTIL SOME DOUCHEBAG TOLD THE AUCTIONEER IT WAS A $2400.00 PLASMA CUTTER...!!! BRAD54- I feel the same way, sometimes... and it's not just with car parts. I was watching a guitar, that I knew was something more than just a guitar. Until someone had to start with that same thing. It would have sounded so much better if I could have gotten it for what I bet it would have went for. Oh... and the watch... Dude. I was babysitting this antique pocket watch. The maker's name was inscribed as James Watt {London}. The seller said they researched and couldn't find him in the book of watchmakers. James Watt invented the steam engine and changed every one of our lives. The date mars put it within the few years James Watt was an apprentice in London. That watch sat for five days at about $130.00... until someone just haaaaaaaad you do it... I've just learned not to get my hopes up... JOE
I can't say I'd never hide what I know to take advantage of a "deal",but usually only if the seller professes to be a know-it-all jerk. Otherwise, I'd help somebody learn what they really have because I would want someone to help me if I was the blind seller. Note,this does NOT ultimately drive up the price of our hobby, it only prevents someone from being ripped off and not getting fair market value for thgeir property. If that engine was sitting in their driveway,would it be okay just to take it? That would be a really good deal.
That's a good point. Another scenario, some old man has something rare, like some early speed equipment or something, and has no idea what it is. Puts it on eBay as "old car/truck stuff" and a few people see it, but no one bids or tells him what he's got. So the old guy figures it's junk and throws it out. I'm sure a ton of good useable shit got thrown out after being listed on eBay and not selling, if the owners would have known what they had, they could have sold it and a happy buyer would have the parts they need.
Ha Ha...I bet most of the 'busy bodies' who 'interfere' with an auction are guys who don't want to see the value of their hoarded treasures drop if the whole world sees similar items go for less than what the hoarder feels his are worth! "Dude...don't let that ___________ go for less than $500 or I'll have a harder time getting $600 for MINE next month!" If you have a hard time understanding a situation, look for the financial interest. It always points the way and reveals true motives!
I agree with brad54 also. It's the seller's responsiblity to know what they are selling. Everyone bitches about how Ebay has driven up the prices on parts, well, that is why. The stuff I watch, like model cars, is throughly and completely picked over, almost no good deals. I haven't seen a good deal on a 1/8th scale model car in about 2 years on there. I haven't seen anyone on here pissing in someone's cereal because they got a great deal on some old parts at a yard sale either.
That's all well and good. Still, if the seller lists it, for what they'll be happy to put in their pocket, then nobody's getting "ripped off". It, sometimes, is about being lazy. It doesn't take that long to find out what things are, and what they have gone for... so, if the seller (sometimes I do it myself) doesn't bother, then it's HIS loss. Sometimes, it's about being stupid. If I can make determinations with the information THEY provide, that they cannot, that shouldn't count against me, either. JOE
ive made some money acting as though i didnt know what the hell i had off of ebay. nothing deceitful mind you but crafty just the same. i played on peoples "macho" side. ive seen enough live auctions to know that sometimes folks get heated whenever they get the "bidding war" on. it does nothing but bring extra proffits for the seller. and the fact that ebay is relatively anonymous will bring out the crazed bidder in many a folk. example... i post an auction on ebay for something i know is realistically worth about $150 at top "retail". i set my reserve for it at $25, no problem getting that first bid up to there. so now i have interest growing and no bidding for a few days... the next guy comes in and sees a chance to pounce on a deal the day before the auction ends and the war begins. by the time its all over they have actually driven up the price to more than what it is worth...it happens all the time, well at least 12 times for me. now, let me say i havent done jack. i dont have partners involved in any of my auctions to eek out another few more bucks or to even ruin a deal all together, that is a pet peave of mine. i just let natural desire and "want" of junk rule the auction. it does help though that none of the knuckleheads that bid ever view my history because then they would actually know that i paid maybe 1/2 of what they just did for the same thing two months ago. and it also helps to downplay the value of any item you sell on ebay, but do put up a lot of detailed pics. usually in my auctions i make it sound like its useless to me. now i will be the first to tell you i am not a smart man, but if i can amke some extra cash on ebay doing this, ill be willing to bet lots of others have to. just make sure you keep your common sense in any auction.
i guess it hasn't occured to you that of the almost 400 paghe hits that auction has, that there might be a few people watching it, and waiting to snipe it? two days left is a freakin eternity on ebay. i'm gonna laugh my ass off when that auction runs its full duration, and some hamber wins it for a fair price, because of your whiney rant here! you should worry less about how other people screw you out of good deals, and mind how you screw yourself out of them! #1 rule of getting "deals" is do not tell ANYBODY until the parts are in your hands, the auction is still going, still lots of time for something to happen.
The only time I will contact the seller except for asking questions about the item will be to tell them the correct year of the vehicle but I never tell them how rare it is. There are quite a few on ebay with no clue on what they are selling and I have got some good deals on parts and on old toys but due to some crappy pics I bought some junk but I did not lose too much and it was my fault for not asking enough questions and the good deals were much more then the bad. I did have a couple end shortly before the auction was over due to a supposive listing error and I know now why. Jeff
I did that once. The seller was selling an oldsmobile motor and transmission. He claimed the tranny was a TH400 but was actually an old slim jim. I don't remember what his reply was but I think it sold anyway.
I'm pretty much on the side of Brad54 here. If your not bidding on it then STFU because..and let me see if I get this correct...If you were bidding on it you sure as hell wouldn't tell the seller its rare just to inflate the price and I'm sure you'd be just as pissed if you were about to nail a deal and someone came in and rained on your parade. Besides if there are interested parties (AKA knowledgeable buyers) the bidding will go up to it's proper level regardless, based on its desirability (free market, remember?) The negative side I see from all this talk of "rare" stuff is that it has a tendency to devalue the term "rarity". I used to collect Hot Wheels and now anything that has Hot Wheels on it gets jacked out of proportion by people who know nothing about them. They try to tell you some corroded pot metal thing that they dug out of thier kids sandbox is worth a mint. It has Hot Wheel copyright 1968 on the bottom meanwhile it is a repro 1996 casting that is worth maybe $2 Mint in the blister. I've driven a lot of miles to look at purported BOSS 302 motors etc. just to look down onto a garage floor at a greasy C code 289. It's nice when you get the good deal to even out all the disappointments. Stu
I wonder if all of you who claim the higher road on this issue would do it if it meant YOU were losing a good deal??? Hmmmm. I doubt it. Say you were at a swap meet, you found a part, say a rare intake, it's for $25 bucks, you know its worth a thousand....(okay do-gooders, i'm talking to you)...Would you honestly tell the guy selling you the intake- "dude, I know you're price is $25 bucks, but that's way too low....what you're about to sell me is worth $1 K"... YEAH RIGHT.......Give me a break, I bet you all would do the right thing right? LOL Brad54, I agree with you. If it's not okay for the sun to shine on us once in a while, then we live in a sad sad world.
PROOF AGAIN AS TO WHY I DONT SELL ON THE HAMB ANY LONGER AT LEAST ON THE AUCTION SITE YOU READ, YOU BID, YOU BUY IT . i DONT FEEL GUILTY OR GET HAMMERED FOR NOT SELLING IT TO SOMEONE IN PARTICULAR THERE. AND i FEEL EQUAL AT THE LEAST WITH THE BIDDERS. I PRICE IT AND I AM HAPPY WITH MY PRICE, IF IT IS WORTH A LOT MORE , SO BE IT I STILL CAME OUT OK .....AT A SWAP MEET THERE IS NO BIDDER , THE ITEM IS PRICED AND YOU EITHER BUY IT OR PASS OR HAGLE, SIMPLE , BEEN DOIN IT FOREVER.........SOUNDS TO ME LIKE YOU SHOULD JUST WATCH THE AUCTION AND BID WHAT YOU WILL PAY, I ASSURE YOU THAT YOU ARENT THE ONLY ONE THAT KNOWS WHAT IT IS THAT YOU ARE WATCHIN...
Err...yes. I'd say that's about right. Sellers should be educating themselves if they are expecting top dollar. Guide 682-C = $3 Second set of the same = $20 Electroline LaFrance headlights = $100 I'd likely still have a rolling project instead of a finished hot rod if it weren't for those deals. But even though I somewhat agree with the initial post, it's fruitless to complain. There will always be the helpful citizens out there who talk so they can hear themselves and type just to see the words on the monitor.
If I list something on eBay and I'm not sure of the year or make I state it in the discription and ask for corrections, no big deal. If something is listed incorrectly I've emailed the seller sometimes. Figure I may save some guy buying the wrong item and the cost of shipping it.
I hate it when I sell something, or give it away and find out a few months later that it was worth big bucks. Being the hypocrit that I am, I like it when someone tells me I can get more for something, but dislike it when I'm the buyer. There is some stuff though that I just don't want, and I dont care if it's worth $200. If you can use it, gimmie a case of soda and you can have it.
Ebay tells you to do the research on your product before you sell it. If somebody doesn't know what he's selling, he's taking the chance that somebody else does, for better or worse. I really like people selling Oldmobile parts, Chevrolay parts, and people selling a box of "old car" parts.
The Jalopy Journal
