[Milsurplus] Re: Appraisal via eBay Virtual Sale (J Forster)

[J Forster]

flood at Krohne.com wrote:

> HI John,
>
> A couple of comments.  I have see what I believe to be a similar
> system used to boost a selling price.  On a few occasions and mind you
> this was quite some time ago in Ebay time, I was interested in an item
> and threw in a bid that was instantly overtaken by a higher proxy
> bid.  In a couple of cases I wanted to see how high the guy was
> willing to go.  I stopped at what, based simply on other similar sales
> and common sense, was way to high of a price for the item.  After the
> end of the auction I got an email saying the "winning bidder" had
> backed out and that they would be willing to accept my last bid.  It
> seemed fishy to me.

Clearly that was shilling. If a connection between the seller and
winning bidder who backed out could be proven, that would be wrong.

> Your plan might backfire if a guy who acted like I did that day came
> along!  It would boost the price beyond reasonable.

The 'test' buyer would need to bid high enough that any bid would loose.

> I guess when selling something the seller needs to determine if the
> highest price is the only factor.  If so, then throw it up on Ebay and
> let it run it's course.

Probably the best thing to do.

> In the "local sale" then the "variables" come into play.  How quick do
> you want it gone, how much other stuff will go along with it, how many
> other guys are fighting for it.... and the list goes on.

There are clear advantages to local sales for big, heavy, and delicate
things. OTOH, if local sale prices are total lowballs, it's worth the
trouble to go to eBay or something.

-John

>
>
> John Flood
> TASC Department
> KROHNE, Inc
> 7 Dearborn Rd.
> Peabody, MA   01960
> Tel.:  978-535-6060 / 800-356-9464
> Fax:   978-535-8180
>
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