Thread: 10 razors with no scales

Originally Posted by toolarts

Just FYI, it is possible, but it isn't easy.

1. You have to give Ebay a real name and address and they check it. You need to give them a credit card, debit card, checking account, or use ID Verify. All require SSN and other identification. If you haven't tried to create a false identity, you probably don't know exactly how hard and dangerous it is.

2. These are criminal activities, and involve interstate commerce, so technically federal crimes. Ebay is monitoring this closely because they are a target for organized crime, particularly originating in eastern Europe, China, and Russia.

So, I really doubt a seller would play this kind of game with a bunch of old straight razors.

There are some people out there with serious money to spend and strange hobbies (like us!) and dropping a few hundred on a lark on some straight razors isn't that big a deal.

On the other hand, the seller could implement the use of a friend as a shill, driving up the price of the auction. If the shill ever goes too high, the seller just pretends to receive funds from the shill, gives feedback to them and sets up another auctions later with the same items.

I've seen this done, but haven't tried it myself. Of course, that was when you could review the names of the bidders in other compelted auctions and be able to tell that a certain buyer was always the one that would place the inital bid, and place bids when the auction seemed to stall. With the new naming rules we, as bidders, don't have that ability any more.

- Mark (S-4-C)

Originally Posted by Strapped-4-Cache

On the other hand, the seller could implement the use of a friend as a shill, driving up the price of the auction. If the shill ever goes too high, the seller just pretends to receive funds from the shill, gives feedback to them and sets up another auctions later with the same items.

I've seen this done, but haven't tried it myself. Of course, that was when you could review the names of the bidders in other compelted auctions and be able to tell that a certain buyer was always the one that would place the inital bid, and place bids when the auction seemed to stall. With the new naming rules we, as bidders, don't have that ability any more.

- Mark (S-4-C)

Yep, someone working in cahoots. Sure, we're not talking about something to most, worth hatching a diabolic scheme of epic proportions, but I think we're all testament to the fact that even in the great scheme of things, fairly trivial things can mean a lot to people. I guess my point is, even though we're talking razors on Ebay, it wouldn't surprise me if some sellers have a shill or five.

Chris L

Originally Posted by Chrisl

Yep, someone working in cahoots. Sure, we're not talking about something to most, worth hatching a diabolic scheme of epic proportions, but I think we're all testament to the fact that even in the great scheme of things, fairly trivial things can mean a lot to people. I guess my point is, even though we're talking razors on Ebay, it wouldn't surprise me if some sellers have a shill or five.

Chris L

Sorry guys, but your shill idea doesn't work.

Old Cold Warrior put in a bid for $250. I threw in a bid for $275.00, and the Old Cold Warrior came in and took the lot for $276.50--in the last 4 seconds. That means he was sniping. I know, because I was sniping.

If he was the shill, why wouldn't he and the buyer have let me have the razors for $275.00? Why would the shill be sniping? That makes no sense at all.

Nope, OldColdWarrior wanted those razors and had nothing to do with the seller, obviously. And I certainly am not the shill (though you could argue that MY bidding behavior was "shill-like" here).

Personally, I think the idea of using a shill for razors is an urban legend. I doubt any seller does it for items like this.

Originally Posted by toolarts

Your numbers don't quite work.

Even if you go low on additional materials cost, rounding up the actual cost to $30.00, making $10 per razor isn't too hot.

No way this can be done in less than 2 hours per razor. $5.00 per hour? Then, it is quite likely that at least two of those razors are warped (that's why they never got used in the first place) and can't be honed out.

More likely this is someone planning to spend 4 hours per razor and asking $100+ for the result.

I figured it was something like that, just threw a low number in there. I suppose if they have the equipment to make scales making a bunch at one time would probably be pretty efficient and cut down some of the labor. They didn't look like they needed all that much cleaning from the photos.

Toolart... care to divulge the hidden jewel in th elot that made you go for 275? i would have thought it was worth 150 or so... 10 to 15 each seems a good range for a naked lot.

--- so i can list a similar lot for you to buy

Originally Posted by syslight

Toolart... care to divulge the hidden jewel in th elot that made you go for 275? i would have thought it was worth 150 or so... 10 to 15 each seems a good range for a naked lot.

--- so i can list a similar lot for you to buy

haha. nice- or you could start making your own pretty etchings and sell each blade as "vintage unique rare collectible, etc etc etc" for hundreds a pop

Originally Posted by syslight

Toolart... care to divulge the hidden jewel in th elot that made you go for 275? i would have thought it was worth 150 or so... 10 to 15 each seems a good range for a naked lot.

--- so i can list a similar lot for you to buy

I didn't buy these razors. Re-read my post.

Oops, sorry, that came across a little nasty...I was going to write more but I am having network problems.

I did bid very high, but I have to admit I didn't really want the razors that badly, I just wanted to see how high it might go.

Sometimes I snipe with a very high bid just to make sure I get the auction, and usually the actual sale never comes even slightly close to my maximum bid.

In this case, I *never* expected this lot to go for more than 1/2 of what I was bidding, and you could have knocked me over with a feather when I didn't win it.

Of course, now I am glad I didn't.