Freakin' eBay

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussions' started by mattbrent, Dec 14, 2013.

Loading...
  1. mattbrent

    mattbrent Well-Known Member

    Since my daughter was born, I started a tradition of getting my wife a snow globe from the Disney Store each Christmas. Once my daughter was able to talk, she's helped me pick out the one to buy. This year she wanted to get the snow globe for Frozen, which was the new movie that came out a few weeks ago. The problem is that apparently Disney Store is sold out online. There are plenty, however, available on eBay for anywhere from $175-225, when the original cost about $50. It just annoys the hell out of me that people buy up crap to deliberately drive up the price. I am surely not going to spend that much. Grrr. :soapbox:

    -Matt
     
  2. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    I agree - it's sad. It's just one of several reasons I never even LOOK at eBay. In 20 years on the Internet, I've never bought anything over eBay. Never will.

    However, if that's the worst problem you currently face, Matt - then Merry Christmas and congratulations on a near-perfectly-ordered life. If this is as bad as it gets, (and I hope that it is) you are indeed fortunate. :smile:

    Johann
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 15, 2013
  3. jhp

    jhp Member

    Wait a few days after Christmas, then snipe (JBidwatcher is my favorite) the lowest priced ones. Might get it for $10.
     
  4. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    The only items I buy on eBay are bicycle parts - I can tell from the adds if the seller is knowledgeable about what he is selling. I wait to bid until the last 30-seconds. I've never been disappointed with anything I've bought. If the price is to high I do not buy.
     
  5. mattbrent

    mattbrent Well-Known Member

    I looked up JBidwatcher. The website looks a little shady, and the "about" page isn't there. What exactly does it do, and what has your experience been with it?

    Thanks,
    Matt
     
  6. perrymk

    perrymk Member

    I use auctionsniper.com for some ebay purchases. ebay is good for hard-to-find items (like the WWII era cigarette lighters I collect) but books and hiking gear are often found cheaper on amazon.com. It pays to know what you are looking for and what it should cost.
     
  7. perrymk

    perrymk Member

    I did this last year for a Kindle thinking that someone would get a new Kindle Fire under the tree and unload their old Kindle cheap. I picked up a perfect for my needs Kindle with lighted case for less than half price.
     
  8. jhp

    jhp Member

    Not shady.

    It is a "home brew" program. i.e. not the programmer's primary goal in life to make a fortune on the program.

    Simple -
    download software and install it
    You log into eBay through the program
    You select item you want to bid on and provide the item's # to the program
    You tell the program the maximum you are willing to pay
    You wait for closing
    Just before the closing, as in 1 to 3 seconds before closing of the bidding, JBWatcher sends the next highest bid

    This works on bid-items of course, not buy-it-now.

    If there is no automatic out-bid through eBay, and there is no bid after your bid, you win with the lowest possible price. This is called "sniping". You hit the target at the last possible second, with the "perfect (lowest possible) bid price.

    It eliminates the up-bid by casual purchasers, and sneaky sellers. It is just a tool. You can use other sniping tools. I use it often to buy electronics pieces parts, supplies, etc.

    As others said, know what you are buying before bidding or buying. It is like a "flea-market".

     

Share This Page