Another bright idea from the big brains at Ebay

A. G. Maisey · 4th March 2008, 07:22 AM

I'm not a buyer, nor a seller on ebay, so maybe some people might think I don't know what I'm talking about.

However, I have bought at normal auctions for more than 50 years.

In my opinion, there is really only one way to buy at auction:- you place your value on the thing being sold and leave your bid with the auctioneer. You do not attend the auction, you do not get involved in bidding wars and you do not have any concern at all as to who else may be bidding.

If the item is worth $100, you calculate your bid to take account of any premiums payable, and you leave your bid with the auctioneer. Simple.

You win some, you lose some, and you need to know the value of what you are bidding on, but you never , ever get emotionally involved. Its just business.

To my way of thinking, ebay is no different:- you decide how much you are prepared to pay and you lodge that bid with ebay. If you have lodged a fair market price bid, you have a fair chance of winning.

If you lose, it doesn't matter, because you were never going to pay more than the item was worth to you anyway.

Shill bids?

Shill bids are only made to suck in people who do not know the value of what they are bidding on.

If you are a fair buyer, you can never really lose by paying a fair price.

However, if you regard auctions as a game to be played for amusement, rather than as a form of business, then yes, hiding buyers' identities might seem a bit like spoiling the game. It comes down to the question of whether buying at auction, whether ebay or a normal type of auction, is a business transaction, or entertainment. If its entertainment then you watch the bids, you note who is bidding you get involved and emotional about the whole thing---like a game of football. But if its business, you name your price and forget about the window dressing.

Andrew · 4th March 2008, 01:33 PM

As some of you know, at one time I was a huge fan of eBay. Those days have passed.

I rarely buy or sell on eBay today. When I do, I follow Alan's model and use sniping software to place my bid and walk away.

Lee · 4th March 2008, 02:07 PM

My own view is that ebay got so much so right when it started that it was rewarded with dominance of the online auctions market. It is therefore surprising that they have chosen to demolish some of the most important parts of the foundation they have built upon. But markets have a way of responding, so we may expect in due course to see ebay forfeit its dominance if they do not return from their current downhill path.

Now and then, amid all the junk and fakes, something great does show up on ebay. If I bid, I commit myself to making a single preemptive bid and I make that bid as close as I dare to the cut-off. There will be no second chance if I miss. This strategy gives you your best chance to win the item and to win it at the best possible price.

I suppose one upside to ebay's change is that as we can no longer know if we are bidding against a forum friend, we shall feel less guilt in denying them a bargain. I suppose that is an upside.

While on the subject of auctions, let me share a pet peeve: the buyer's premium. Scum and villainy! It seems pretty clear to me that auctioneers are acting as the seller's agent. Yes, everything does come out of what the buyer pays, but the auctioneers see a psychological advantage is quoting a low seller's premium and then jacking up a buyer's premium. It has even been reported that for big ticket items, major auction houses, to get the consignment, have waived all seller fees and that they have even gone further to 'kick back' some of the buyer's premium. The emergence of buyer's premiums in online autions as a 'tip' to the seller is, in my opinion, reprehensible and thus far I have refrained from participating in such auctions.

4th March 2008, 02:07 PM	#3
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 937	Musings on ebay My own view is that ebay got so much so right when it started that it was rewarded with dominance of the online auctions market. It is therefore surprising that they have chosen to demolish some of the most important parts of the foundation they have built upon. But markets have a way of responding, so we may expect in due course to see ebay forfeit its dominance if they do not return from their current downhill path. Now and then, amid all the junk and fakes, something great does show up on ebay. If I bid, I commit myself to making a single preemptive bid and I make that bid as close as I dare to the cut-off. There will be no second chance if I miss. This strategy gives you your best chance to win the item and to win it at the best possible price. I suppose one upside to ebay's change is that as we can no longer know if we are bidding against a forum friend, we shall feel less guilt in denying them a bargain. I suppose that is an upside. While on the subject of auctions, let me share a pet peeve: the buyer's premium. Scum and villainy! It seems pretty clear to me that auctioneers are acting as the seller's agent. Yes, everything does come out of what the buyer pays, but the auctioneers see a psychological advantage is quoting a low seller's premium and then jacking up a buyer's premium. It has even been reported that for big ticket items, major auction houses, to get the consignment, have waived all seller fees and that they have even gone further to 'kick back' some of the buyer's premium. The emergence of buyer's premiums in online autions as a 'tip' to the seller is, in my opinion, reprehensible and thus far I have refrained from participating in such auctions.

4th March 2008, 07:22 AM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,019	I'm not a buyer, nor a seller on ebay, so maybe some people might think I don't know what I'm talking about. However, I have bought at normal auctions for more than 50 years. In my opinion, there is really only one way to buy at auction:- you place your value on the thing being sold and leave your bid with the auctioneer. You do not attend the auction, you do not get involved in bidding wars and you do not have any concern at all as to who else may be bidding. If the item is worth $100, you calculate your bid to take account of any premiums payable, and you leave your bid with the auctioneer. Simple. You win some, you lose some, and you need to know the value of what you are bidding on, but you never , ever get emotionally involved. Its just business. To my way of thinking, ebay is no different:- you decide how much you are prepared to pay and you lodge that bid with ebay. If you have lodged a fair market price bid, you have a fair chance of winning. If you lose, it doesn't matter, because you were never going to pay more than the item was worth to you anyway. Shill bids? Shill bids are only made to suck in people who do not know the value of what they are bidding on. If you are a fair buyer, you can never really lose by paying a fair price. However, if you regard auctions as a game to be played for amusement, rather than as a form of business, then yes, hiding buyers' identities might seem a bit like spoiling the game. It comes down to the question of whether buying at auction, whether ebay or a normal type of auction, is a business transaction, or entertainment. If its entertainment then you watch the bids, you note who is bidding you get involved and emotional about the whole thing---like a game of football. But if its business, you name your price and forget about the window dressing.

4th March 2008, 01:33 PM	#2
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	As some of you know, at one time I was a huge fan of eBay. Those days have passed. I rarely buy or sell on eBay today. When I do, I follow Alan's model and use sniping software to place my bid and walk away.