Thread: Before you link to an active auction

Of course it is natural to keep to oneself an auction one wants to win. In fact posting a link to that is what I would really call an unlikely scenario. But for other auctions, I think we have to remember that any SRP member seeing something interesting on eBay, may as easily sympathise with the person selling it (who is just as likely to be striving to keep his son in diapers), or with other members who might otherwise miss something they badly want.

eBay has plenty of Buy It Now items, or auctions in which bids are few. For things like home maintenance hardware, a substantial saving over retail is the norm. But good straight razors are a field in which competition is often quite heated, and it is mostly true that you need specialised knowledge to find a cheap bargain. It isn't quite the only way. You can gamble on poor pictures or thin description. I've sometimes won out that way, but I knew that as long as the description was misleading, I could just as easily have found myself the loser, with no redress.

Originally Posted by gugi

I don't think you have to worry about this, as this scenario just isn't going to happen. To get a steal you have to be more knowledgeable than everybody else who's looking on ebay and recognize it, and it doesn't seem you fit that profile. And you always have to worry about someone with more money outbidding you at the last few seconds - that's simply how ebay works.


When I was purchasing razors on ebay I was looking for stuff that's extremely hard to find in other ways. I've goten pretty much every razor I've wanted, but only because I could afford it. If you're trying to save over retail, ebay is your worst option. Huge risk and only marginal savings if it ends up working out. Of course, if your time isn't very valuable and you have significant budget you can spend a lot of time looking for deals on ebay, get 20-50 razors and come out ahead too.

I think I see where I was misunderstood. I didn't mean to speak from a personal viewpoint regarding straight razors. I'm definitely not an expert on straight razors in particular, and can't speak from experience regarding them or the market. However, with other things about which I am more knowledgeable (collectible and otherwise) I have had this happen to me on numerous occasions. It was through a combination of knowledge of the items, timing, general interest in the items from others, and a healthy dose of luck. In fact, if I'm not going to get a good deal when I buy something on eBay (either through the auction or "Buy it Now") I just don't buy it. It was simply these experiences from which I was speaking, of course assuming that the straight razor market (on eBay, at least) is similar. I think your point that a seller has every right to strive for the greatest profit is absolutely valid, but I also believe that every buyer has the right to a good deal if they happen to see it. And while I think that, ideally (for the seller, at least) no one would try to sell anything without doing one's homework, many people do this, and all in all, that's a good thing for us buyers, and probably not too bad for those particular sellers, as they probably have something else they're selling to make up for it. Again, I can't speak for the straight razor market specifically, but I do know from personal experience that this is true in many other markets, especially on eBay.
I do concede that I phrased that poorly, however. I overlooked the many (probably a majority of) people who utilize eBay to get something they want whatever the cost, rather than get a good deal on what they want. I did so innocently, however, as getting a better deal than I could otherwise is the reason I would choose to use it, and have with considerable success in the past.
Thank you for responding to my comment gugi! I can't count how many times I've debated a point on some other forum and had the person make the same argument with zero clarification. I appreciate that you took the time to respond, and, although I still don't agree, your arguments make much more sense to me now. Thanks again.

The way I look at it is that I have a few quiet fishing holes, which I don't intend on sharing. If I do see an item that another member might be interested in I will send them a PM to let them know.

As for posting links to live auctions, that can be good or bad.

Originally Posted by Pauly

The way I look at it is that I have a few quiet fishing holes, which I don't intend on sharing. If I do see an item that another member might be interested in I will send them a PM to let them know.

As for posting links to live auctions, that can be good or bad.

I don't think anybody is in much doubt, one way or the other, about what he should do about his own choice of auctions or fishing holes. But the implication here is that others should feel some kind of obligation to keep his secret from their friends.

Well if I share with too many people my finds the more intelligent can start working out where the fishing hole is, and quite frankly I don't want any riff-raff in. It is a private club for classy individuals.

As for posting links to active auctions that is up to the persons involved. There can be benefits to the buyer (pointing out a dud or price gouging) as well as benefits for the seller (increased visibility). I think people should make up their own minds and make their own choices, not be lectured about what it is other people want them to do.

Revisiting this topic and thread, I have to ask... What is SRP for? To Teach, To Learn, To Educate, and to Enjoy this fine art form known as shaving.

If Somebody with less knowledge, sees an auction for a razor that they might be interested in, and has a question about it, isnt it natural for them to ask "What do you guys who know more than me, Think of This razor?"
They post the auction link, we look at it, and if we spot a flaw or defect, we tell them. Dont we?
Are we going to get upset at them for trying to learn from us?

While I myself dont normally comment on a live auction, be it one of my own, or one I am bidding for, I dont feel it is right for anybody to get mad at those who DO post or comment on them.
To use this site to simply show off what you got, or to boast how you sniped. or gripe how you got beat out, seems a little bit ungentlemanly. Its just not what I have come to believe this site to be about.
Just my thoughts.

I will admit I once linked a live auction once the bidding surpassed my max bid so, being fairly new to the game that is ebay, I committed the faux pas. Now,"Mums" the word and think before you link.

Originally Posted by Magpie

Revisiting this topic and thread, I have to ask... What is SRP for? To Teach, To Learn, To Educate, and to Enjoy this fine art form known as shaving.

If Somebody with less knowledge, sees an auction for a razor that they might be interested in, and has a question about it, isnt it natural for them to ask "What do you guys who know more than me, Think of This razor?"
They post the auction link, we look at it, and if we spot a flaw or defect, we tell them. Dont we?
Are we going to get upset at them for trying to learn from us?

While I myself dont normally comment on a live auction, be it one of my own, or one I am bidding for, I dont feel it is right for anybody to get mad at those who DO post or comment on them.
To use this site to simply show off what you got, or to boast how you sniped. or gripe how you got beat out, seems a little bit ungentlemanly. Its just not what I have come to believe this site to be about.
Just my thoughts.

Or they could just download the photos from the auction and post those. I wouldn't bid on an active auction another member posts, and I'm sure most of us would not. But maybe some would. And members aren't the only ones that read.

There is nothing wrong with asking for help on live auctions, but there are, IMO, better ways to do so than linking to the auction.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Or they could just download the photos from the auction and post those. I wouldn't bid on an active auction another member posts, and I'm sure most of us would not. But maybe some would. And members aren't the only ones that read.

There is nothing wrong with asking for help on live auctions, but there are, IMO, better ways to do so than linking to the auction.

Yes just do that via a pm!!

Yes, via PM.... Thus limiting info about an auction to only those people YOU know, or that YOU like. I still dont see that as conducive to a community spirit.