The Museum of HP Calculators

HP Forum Archive 15

[ Return to Index | Top of Index ]

HP20S for over $100... What!?
Message #1 Posted by Han on 8 Feb 2006, 5:35 p.m.

eBay #5863056474

These normally sell for around $20-$30. Even a brand new one with all its original packaging (unopened, and with brown bezel) was recently sold for under that amount. Why is this one going for such a high price?

      
Re: HP20S for over $100... What!?
Message #2 Posted by bill platt on 8 Feb 2006, 6:04 p.m.,
in response to message #1 by Han

It is called ebay madness.

Get used to it. The bell cureve, I mean. :-)

            
Re: HP20S for over $100... What!?
Message #3 Posted by bill platt on 8 Feb 2006, 6:07 p.m.,
in response to message #2 by bill platt

The top bidder has an interest in 20 machines (already involved in three others) and Lions Club pins...

            
Re: HP20S for over $100... What!?
Message #4 Posted by Howard Owen on 8 Feb 2006, 6:41 p.m.,
in response to message #2 by bill platt

Quote:
It is called ebay madness.

Or "seller pinches self and chortles with joy."

This is the psychological effect of the eBay modified auction at work. Buyers are encouraged to bid high through all sorts of means, and then can't retract the bid when common sense sets in. Personally, I find it takes substantial discipline to buy on eBay without getting goaded into bidding too high. I commonly snipe auctions now, using an outside service. Regardless if I snipe or bid directly, I make my bid, and then I don't look until the auction is over. I frequently lose that way, but when I win, it's for a price I can live with.

Regards,
Howard

                  
Re: HP20S for over $100... What!?
Message #5 Posted by Joe Edwards on 8 Feb 2006, 6:56 p.m.,
in response to message #4 by Howard Owen

I was going to say the same thing. Snipe a max bid at the end and if you bid enough it is yours without adding to the madness leading up to the end of the auction.

Joe

Quote:

Or "seller pinches self and chortles with joy."

This is the psychological effect of the eBay modified auction at work. Buyers are encouraged to bid high through all sorts of means, and then can't retract the bid when common sense sets in. Personally, I find it takes substantial discipline to buy on eBay without getting goaded into bidding too high. I commonly snipe auctions now, using an outside service. Regardless if I snipe or bid directly, I make my bid, and then I don't look until the auction is over. I frequently lose that way, but when I win, it's for a price I can live with.

Regards,
Howard



[ Return to Index | Top of Index ]

Go back to the main exhibit hall