[Milsurplus] e-bay rip off

[James Duffer]

>
>yes Hue, its a rip off. This site is driven by pure greed, nothing else.
>Any motive for expanding
>the collecting art or preserving history are not present there.


"Pure greed" is evidenced in many markets, more than likely all markets not 
just the Bay   How many times have you heard some one bragging they bought a 
bargain for a fraction of it's so called value?  Sometimes at a rally or a 
flea market or worse, from some widow whose ham husband passed away leaving 
all kinds of equipment whose value is unknown to the widow?  I have many 
times, in fact I have seen acquisitions being bragged about on this list.  
There is a fine line between being greedy and just being human, wanting to 
buy for the least amount and sell for the most.  No crime, human nature. 
Your tirade against the Bay is I believe is a protest that protesteth to 
much.


>Its even more of a rip off when they put reserve prices on things. If they
>know the reserve then
>they know the market value and could quite as easily, and more honestly,
>have simply offered the
>thing for sale at  X amount.

A rip-off, maybe, or it might be what they have invested in the item and is 
the point where they could realize a gain rather than a loss.  It doesn't 
bug me, if their perceived value is more than it is worth to me.  So what.

>True, something is only worth what one wants to pay but many folk can be
>fooled into thinking
>stuff on e-bay is worth more than it is. They think its rocking horse dung
>when in reality
>the same stuff can be bought for a fraction of the price on e-bay.  eg..

Prices are less when exposed to less of the market, put those items on an 
auction where the market is the world, their real value will be the selling 
price.

If auctions are a venue for the greedy, then look at all the auctions that 
take place, farm, estate, government etc. and realize that most of the world 
must be greedy! since auctions are employed in most cases where a fair price 
is expected.  This example below is an excellent indicator what a limited 
market place will do to value.

>Navy key the other day...
>when last looked it was over �170.. they are available at any rally for �65
>.. now if the chap
>who bought knew that dont you think he will consider himself ripped off ?
>he saw the price going up
>on the site and, maybe due to lack of the knowledge folk like we have,
>thought it must be worth that
>when its obviously not.
>
>So yes, rip off site. I'd rather buy off someone who's honest enough to say
>how much he wants for
>something.

Or say how much you are willing to pay for it (when he could get more for it 
listed in a larger market)

I want to get most I can for what I am selling, or at least what it is worth 
in the major market place.  If thats make me greedy then so be it, but it 
hasn't made me rich.

de Jim

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