Ebay

[Sludge]

You know, IMO, some sellers are leaving money on the table by barely describing what they are selling. I've actually seen a few planes on sale that didn't list the scale, registration, or part number.

I keep a database of my planes, but won't risk buying a double because the seller can't describe what he is selling. lol

Sludge

[Ironclaw]

Hmmm
Well you have to take into account that some folks are just selling off dad`s collection and have no clue about scale etc.
Some folks just don`t like typing.
Ebay has a messaging system just for this purpose and if you see a model of interest you should use it.

[Sludge]

Hmmm
Well you have to take into account that some folks are just selling off dad`s collection and have no clue about scale etc.
Some folks just don`t like typing.
Ebay has a messaging system just for this purpose and if you see a model of interest you should use it.

On the other hand, I feel I have gotten some great deals because I have been able to ID a model that was poorly described.

Sludge

[admin]

Some folks just don`t like typing.

Think we may eventually have a solution for that....

[Sludge]

Some folks just don`t like typing.

Think we may eventually have a solution for that....

Like I want to talk to my computer.

Sludge

[fleetlordatvar]

I just read an article from WIRED magazine about ebay that talks about their new search engine, but also explains all the new "common sense" improvement i've noticed this year. They are overhauling the system to get searches to get people to buy what they have searched.

I've enjoyed many little improvements such as typing "U" will bring up drop down list of shippers that begin w/ letter U. I've hated to type in USPS every single time & w/ other sites having this option already it seemed archaic that is wasn't there before.

[JAL1628]

I try not to buy models on eBay anymore. Especially none of the newer releases. You end up overpaying a little or at the most saving 2-5% versus buying from a retailer. Basically not worth 'watching' the listing for a week (unless you enjoy that kind of thing).

I am disheartened the South African, China Eastern, and Iberia Phoenix A346's have slowly vanished from retailers.. and they are just way too expensive on eBay - 20-30% more than when new just one (1) year ago.

eBay is great for finding obscure models that were never popular to begin with. Beyond that I think it's saturated and overpriced.

My .02

[eugenevh]

I don't particularly like e-bay. But I started collecting only recently and most of the models I am after (African Airlines) are mostly only available there, especially the 'limited release' numbers.
And honestly it costs a fortune. I don't really believe that little pieces of painted metal are worth as much as some people charge. But that coupled with very high postage fees makes it hurt even more. But what can I do? I want the models and there is no way of fleet building otherwise.

What makes it more difficult is that I now have to buy the newest releases as the limited numbers some manufacturers release these days forces you to become a 'panic buyer' just in case you miss out and the model is not released by another one on a 'better' mold.

On the one hand I'm mad a some people who buys more than one of the newly released models (of limited numbers) only to list them on e-bay soon after the retailers are sold out at higher prices.
The manufacturers are creating this 'panic buying' phenomenon themselves. It is disturbing.

This is one aspect I really dislike about capitalism. I feel exploited. :-(

[Sludge]

I don't sell on ebay, I only buy. My feedback doesn't really matter to me, although it is over 100. After I pay, and I always pay promptly, I'm through; there is nothing more I can do, so I should get positive feedback. But I really don't care. However, some sellers withhold feedback until the buyer posts feedback. I don't even bother to post feedback for those sellers.

My latest purchase had this message; I'll post positive feedback after you post positive feedback. That seller is still waiting (lol).

Sludge

[9Y-ISA]

On the one hand I'm mad a some people who buys more than one of the newly released models (of limited numbers) only to list them on e-bay soon after the retailers are sold out at higher prices. The manufacturers are creating this 'panic buying' phenomenon themselves. It is disturbing. This is one aspect I really dislike about capitalism. I feel exploited. :-(

Waffle Collectibles limit 1 model per customer when it is known that the model will be in high demand. I commend them for doing that so everyone can get a chance. These days you have to be logged on as soon as some models are announced as they literally sell out within minutes. I hope more retailers introduce this policy. It is frustrating that a collector has to pass through Manufacturers/distributors/retailers and now has to go through the "money grabbers/Ebay hounds" until the model arrives.

[JAL1628]

The manufacturers are creating this 'panic buying' phenomenon themselves. It is disturbing.

I agree. It's not like the mfg's are issuing shares of stock. They (the mfg) don't get anything out of the shortages. They could flood the market with a popular model and it wouldn't change the unit price any, except on eBay.. and why would they care about that? The only reason I can think of is they want us all sitting around anxiously waiting for next month's releases.

Waffle is great, I get most of my models from him. I've gotten some good ones I couldn't have reasonably acquired on eBay.

[aviationcombr]

Most of my ebay purchases were done with well known sellers (such as shoporiental, 6betts, virginfans, demographer_x, buchair_best_of_flight, pschulhaus, johanchan2004, etc), and all of them usually gives detailed info about the models sold.

[fleetlordatvar]

On the one hand I'm mad a some people who buys more than one of the newly released models (of limited numbers) only to list them on e-bay soon after the retailers are sold out at higher prices.
The manufacturers are creating this 'panic buying' phenomenon themselves. It is disturbing.

This is one aspect I really dislike about capitalism. I feel exploited. :-(

NOT disturbing, it's the nature of the beast. As an owner or investor you balance the risk of your money, this or ANY method NEVER satisfies all the consumers.

The company can't FLOOD the market even w/ the popular ones because they will eventually end up w/ overstock. That would be wasted money on part of company/investor -- look at how many you can still buy a laker/ skytrain DC-10s, they were made almost four years ago.


IMO
AWESOME eBayers:

• johanchan2004 (OMG i bought a LOT of planes from him)
• moviemars

Very good eBayers

• shoporiental (luv the free shipping)
• dreamflyers787
• demographer_x

"money grabbers/Ebay hounds":

• virginfans
• Aero Boutique Spectrum (this eBayer is a straight AHOLE, i was willing to spend $250+, & got banned for asking questions