Re: And, while you write... Message #10 Posted by James M. Prange (Michigan) on 31 Oct 2005, 2:00 a.m., in response to message #9 by blurdybloop
Well, I suppose some might be forewarned because of reading about him in this forum, but it seems to me that those who sell with a "buy it now" well below the going market price or buy well above it have failed to do their basic research on eBay. If they haven't even bothered to check the typical prices on eBay, then how likely are they to look for advice at MoHPC? A fool and his money (or property) are indeed soon parted. Still, I can't help feeling a bit sorry for the poor suckers who do business with him.
As for the "poor sap" who sold his HP-55 for a "piddly $85", did he actually do much research at MoHPC? In any case, I can't blame the buyer for taking him up on the offer. My guess is that he was simply the first really interested person to spot the bargain.
As for snipers, somehow I can't get excited about them. To be sure, I don't bid very early in an auction, but I make my (usually) one bid the highest I feel willing to pay. Any last-minute bidder will either outbid me or I'll outbid him. If he's willing to pay more than I am, then so be it; it's his money.
It seems to me that sniping is probably mostly effective against (presumably) newbie bidders who want to start out with a low bid and then raise their bid as needed. Sniping may well be very effective in those cases, at least until those who engage in bidding wars learn better.
That's not to say that I like he-who-must-not-be-named's tactics, particularly making private offers (though that is allowable according to eBay) and switching to a different item near the end of his auction. Yes, he is preying on the foolish, but I expect that there are many who do far worse.
Regards, James
Edited: 31 Oct 2005, 2:16 a.m.
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