Is there anything good about losing an auction on Ebay?

secondrepublic

Two things come to mind:

-Not having to "explain" to the wife, and

-Making the other guy pay more than he otherwise would have.

The last few months I've won hardly anything on Ebay.... and seem to be getting edged out by the same few "desperados" who are overpaying for stuff.

I hate to admit this (especially during Lent) but I've taken some satisfaction in #2.

spinaker2000

Try bidding on some of these!! I would love for you to win a few!

Sapyx

<< <i>Is there anything good about losing an auction on Ebay? >>


Well, there's always the fact you get to keep the money you almost spent on coins. You can then use this now-surplus money to buy:

a) more coins,

or

b) food, clothes or other wife-pleasing non-essentials,

whichever seems most prudent at the time.

harasha

Schadenfreunde?

IlikeZARcoins

You may also have researched a coin that has only just come to your attention. Therefore whether you win or lose you will have gained knowledge about a new coin ( always worthwhile imo ).

SYRACUSIAN

The last few months I've won hardly anything on Ebay.... and seem to be getting edged out by the same few "desperados" who are overpaying for stuff.




Overpaying is part of the game sometimes. Some of my best coins came to my posession this way and although I was wondering back then if it was worth it, today I'm glad I did, some of them in particular have yet to appear in a similar condition. In my opinion you can't build a collection by always playing it safe and by going by the book. Sometimes a coin blows your mind away and all the catalogues in the world don't mean a thing.

secondrepublic

Spinaker - love those Estonian coins! I've been thinking about getting into the Baltic countries at some point.

Syracusian - I definitely don't mind overpaying for the right pieces, and have done so often.... but I don't like overpaying for most every coin I buy! And it seems to have gotten to that with some of the Polish material. The prices are often 2 or 3 times what the same coin cost 3 or 4 years ago.

Have you guys seen the same thing in your areas of interest, or is this just with Polish material?

IlikeZARcoins

secondrepublic - it's probably Jester who'se bidding against you.

3Mark

Have you guys seen the same thing in your areas of interest, or is this just with Polish material? >>



Check the prices for Russian I'm glad I don't collect it. Quality material will always bring quality prices. I collect mostly German and the prices for gems has more that doubled in the last couple of years and it's harder to find. 3Mark

sinin1

do the desparados snipe?

if they don't, you can have even more fun by looking at what they are currently bidding on (advanced search by bidder) and seeing if anything is of interest to you -> then bid them up some more (until more than you are willing to pay)


I really like that myself - usually, they get stuck with the crap and don't bid enough on the 'really' good stuff

secondrepublic

<< <i>do the desparados snipe? >>



Absolutely. Last night I got caught in a 6-man sniper shootout. Of course I lost

satootoko

<< <i>Is there anything good about losing an auction on Ebay? >>

You didn't overpay.

SYRACUSIAN

<< <i>

<< <i>do the desparados snipe? >>



Absolutely. Last night I got caught in a 6-man sniper shootout. Of course I lost >>





Well, this particular seller has a close following of hardcore fans.

Yes, I too have noticed the same thing in Greek coins, that's why I'm more into other areas now, I was lucky enough to build the basic core of my collection before the madness started, around 2002. I believe Greece, Poland and Russia (in an alphabetical order) are the countries most hit by this. Just in time to grab the good coins from Cyprus before the same phenomenon takes place there too, especially after the country joined the EU. As soon as they switch to the euro, everybody becomes sentimental with their previous currency. Also the increase of the financial power of the inhabitants results in an increase of the number of collectors and the new generation is especially concerned with quality, contrarily to older ones who mainly cared to fill every possible hole, almost regardless of condition.

secondrepublic

<< <i> Also the increase of the financial power of the inhabitants results in an increase of the number of collectors and the new generation is especially concerned with quality, contrarily to older ones who mainly cared to fill every possible hole, almost regardless of condition. >>



The high end pieces (condition-wise) have seen the greatest price increases, especially in the last 2-3 years. With Poland now in the EU, there are more and more people with the means to collect. They are looking for high end stuff, not just any old piece to fill a hole in their album. As a result, prices have shot up.

When I was in a very active buying phase in 2001, 2002, there was little competition for the material, and I was also fortunate to complete almost all the sets I wanted to complete, in the condition I was looking for. Now, however... it's a different story. Even the pieces I thought I was overpaying for back then, now seem cheap. Of course, the dollar has also fallen by about 25% again the Polish zloty....

coinpictures

I very rarely bid on coins. I either BIN or snipe for several reasons:

1. Why raise the current bid unnecessarily when you don't have to? It's offering others more of an opportunity to outbid you.

2. Less likely to suffer "bidder's creep" when someone outbids you, you think you still want the coin and keep looking back at it and end up paying more than you should.

3. Less likely to be the victim of shill bidding or people "feeling out" your ceiling.

I either BIN (80% of my purchases) or put in my max at the sniping service I use and forget about it. If I win, great! If I don't it was more than I wanted to pay anyway...

And yes, stuff from jamesandlam ALWAYS goes for moon money. Granted, they're almost always lovely and/or ultrahigh grade pieces, but $78 for a coin that lists for $5 in MS60 is a wee bit high... but Poland is hot right now...

ajaan

<< <i>especially after the country joined the EU. As soon as they switch to the euro, everybody becomes sentimental with their previous currency. >>


The strength of the Euro may also have something to do with it. Anyone notice more Canadian bidders since the Canadian dollar has gained strength, or should I say since the US$ has fallen?