Thread: eBay 101

Originally Posted by Magpie

I see that all the time. Its frustrating, but doesnt really hurt me any. The reality is, if you found a picaso in a yard sale, would you sell it for the same 5 dollars you paid? or would you ask what you think its value is?
The value of anything is only as much as you pay for it!

Agreed. The difference between a decent human being and something less is how the situation is presented. You don't have to state what you paid for or where you acquired an item. Inquiring minds aren't always satisfied. However, making up a story or misrepresenting the truth is wrong; so if it you disagree with someone's tactics- do not support them.

nothing wrong with trying to make a $ , but to lie isnt right .. i used to have about 10-20 high end duck or goose calls coming in every 2-3 weeks that sell for $150-$250 new .. i learned how to tune them , buff out the aluminum bands on them and or acrylic or wood so i could pick up calls in the $60-90 pending on condition and 99% of the time could get 90-120$ on them or trade them for a call i wanted down the line , if someone asked id tell them how i got rm and what i did to them as well as offered a $ back if they didnt like them and free tunning .. i thought i ran things as honest as i could and still moved all the calls and had awesome feed back on every sale so it just goes to show that being honest can be just as rewarding in your pocket and even more so on an ethical and repeat costomer stand point ...

I flip electronics occasionally, but I don't lie to people to do it. Buyer beware, always.

Originally Posted by Badgister

Gentleman,
What are your thoughts on this practice? You see a nice razor a 100% positive feedback high volume razor seller has listed and ask him the history of the razor. He tells you he got it on trade. You do a little investigation and discover that in the same month, he purchased that same razor as the highest bidder but for 125$ less. The seller even tells me that he didn't have to do anything to the razor when he received it as it was already honed and almost new.

Another seller whom I shall not name posted a razor on the classified section claiming it is in great condition with no issues and that he is asking what je paid for it a few months ago. He was honest in telling me he got it of eBay from a specific seller. I find his feedback with regards to the transaction and he says " ok razor, but uneven bevel and uneven spine with lots of hone wear " he also paid 40$ less for it on eBay.

It is amazing what the feedback and transaction history can reveal.

What I hear you saying "The value of something is directly proportional to the profit I determine is reasonable for the seller".

What I say is the value of something is what I am willing to pay for it. I have no interest in what the seller paid for the item.

It is always a risk relying on the sellers assertions. Good photos and a reasonable return policy have greater value than the puffing of a salesman.

Originally Posted by jaswarb

What I hear you saying "The value of something is directly proportional to the profit I determine is reasonable for the seller".

What I say is the value of something is what I am willing to pay for it. I have no interest in what the seller paid for the item.

It is always a risk relying on the sellers assertions. Good photos and a reasonable return policy have greater value than the puffing of a salesman.

I agree with what you are saying. To be clear, I am not troubled by how much the seller is pocketing, but rather the element of dishonesty, when the client asks a question and is told x when it is in fact y. Had the seller in the first example I gave truthfully told me, I bought it off ebay then I may have purchased the item despite his handsome profit margin.

As for the seller in the classified section of this forum, if he had made the issue with the razor known to me then again, I may have negotiated based on that and made a deal.

Originally Posted by jaswarb

Most every razor this guy lists has the characteristic color change.

Attachment 105416

Attachment 105415

Attachment 105417

All these razors appear to be perfectly fine. Any color change you are talking about is likely from inconsistent lighting and angles.

Originally Posted by sheffieldlover

All these razors appear to be perfectly fine. Any color change you are talking about is likely from inconsistent lighting and angles.

Kinda my point. I should have been more clear. Photos are only helpful if they are well shot and/or properly interpreted.

Originally Posted by sheffieldlover

All these razors appear to be perfectly fine. Any color change you are talking about is likely from inconsistent lighting and angles.

Yeah those look fine. I've also seen some pics where the reflectivity of the steel caused a rainbow effect in the pictures but the blade was actually fine. I've also had a bunch of blades come through that had characteristic blue / yellow / orangish hues to them, but the steel was fine after polishing, it was just oxidation or patina. Sometimes it's hard to tell.

I went ahead and got it for $20, I'll get it honed and cleaned up and see how it is. I also wound up winning a wester bros for $10. I'll see how lucky I was when I get them in my hands.

possible scale rot ?

Originally Posted by Joed

Here's one with 8 bids. Anyone think this one can be made shave ready?