Christmastime on eBay: The good and the horror stories
TonyC
Posts: 1,399 ✭✭✭
I wanted to share a few eBay experiences I've had this week--I guess Christmas brings out some heartwarming stories and some wackos.
First, the good story:
I recently acquired a huge NASCAR and vintage racing collection that I haven't gotten into breaking down significantly, but I have listed a few items. One of the items I had in my eBay store was a 6" x 12" Baker Engineered Racing Engines unused decal Item. The company was founded by Ray Baker in 1968, and he built engines for Indycar and the Daytona 500, and some big racing starts such as Mark Martin and Darrell Waltrip used his engines. He was inducted into the Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame not long ago.
This week, someone contacted me who said she is Ray Baker's daughter-in-law, and she wanted to get the decal for her husband (Ray Baker's son) for Christmas, and she wanted to know if she could get it in time. She said Ray Baker died last year, and I looked into it and he had fallen off of a roof while building a shop in North Carolina. She said she and her husband still had a lot of documents and memorabilia from the company. I had the decal advertised with free shipping USPS First Class, so I told her I would give her a significant discount and upgrade it to Priority at no charge because I knew it was going to a good home. It went out today and should be there early next week. It's always nice when you sell an item to someone who has a personal connection and you know will appreciate it.
Next, the two stories about wackos coming out of the woodwork:
First, the short one is that I have a Patrick Roy jersey card advertised with free shipping, and someone messaged me this morning asking "is one dollar okay i want it."
Second, I had a 1989 Maxx set (from the same racing collection) in my eBay store for $69.95 with free shipping. Someone sent me a message on December 7 asking "whats the maximum least you'd take for this set?"
I replied "My bottom number is $59.99 delivered."
He responded "i'll give you 50.00 for it if you'd do that!"
I responded "Sorry, $59.99 is the best I can do, purchase price includes free shipping."
The last communication I had with him was December 10th
On December 13th, someone else offered me $50 for the set, and I countered them at $60. On the 14th, the first person who asked me if I would take $50 offered me $54.95, and I countered him at $59.99. Well, the different person took it for $60, so the person who had been trying to beat me down sent the following two messages:
"i wanted this set and you know it. whyd u sale it for the price you offered it to me?"
"can't believe youd do that to me. that was what i wanted to get my dad for christmas and now its ruined isnt it."
He didn't ask for the exclusive bargaining rights on the set, it was open for sale to the general public and someone else decided to buy it. I BBLed him, and if anyone wants the username for either of the two people mentioned to BBL them, PM me.
Good luck to all fellow eBayers dealing with the good, bad, ugly, bizarre, etc. etc. etc. during this holiday season
First, the good story:
I recently acquired a huge NASCAR and vintage racing collection that I haven't gotten into breaking down significantly, but I have listed a few items. One of the items I had in my eBay store was a 6" x 12" Baker Engineered Racing Engines unused decal Item. The company was founded by Ray Baker in 1968, and he built engines for Indycar and the Daytona 500, and some big racing starts such as Mark Martin and Darrell Waltrip used his engines. He was inducted into the Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame not long ago.
This week, someone contacted me who said she is Ray Baker's daughter-in-law, and she wanted to get the decal for her husband (Ray Baker's son) for Christmas, and she wanted to know if she could get it in time. She said Ray Baker died last year, and I looked into it and he had fallen off of a roof while building a shop in North Carolina. She said she and her husband still had a lot of documents and memorabilia from the company. I had the decal advertised with free shipping USPS First Class, so I told her I would give her a significant discount and upgrade it to Priority at no charge because I knew it was going to a good home. It went out today and should be there early next week. It's always nice when you sell an item to someone who has a personal connection and you know will appreciate it.
Next, the two stories about wackos coming out of the woodwork:
First, the short one is that I have a Patrick Roy jersey card advertised with free shipping, and someone messaged me this morning asking "is one dollar okay i want it."
Second, I had a 1989 Maxx set (from the same racing collection) in my eBay store for $69.95 with free shipping. Someone sent me a message on December 7 asking "whats the maximum least you'd take for this set?"
I replied "My bottom number is $59.99 delivered."
He responded "i'll give you 50.00 for it if you'd do that!"
I responded "Sorry, $59.99 is the best I can do, purchase price includes free shipping."
The last communication I had with him was December 10th
On December 13th, someone else offered me $50 for the set, and I countered them at $60. On the 14th, the first person who asked me if I would take $50 offered me $54.95, and I countered him at $59.99. Well, the different person took it for $60, so the person who had been trying to beat me down sent the following two messages:
"i wanted this set and you know it. whyd u sale it for the price you offered it to me?"
"can't believe youd do that to me. that was what i wanted to get my dad for christmas and now its ruined isnt it."
He didn't ask for the exclusive bargaining rights on the set, it was open for sale to the general public and someone else decided to buy it. I BBLed him, and if anyone wants the username for either of the two people mentioned to BBL them, PM me.
Good luck to all fellow eBayers dealing with the good, bad, ugly, bizarre, etc. etc. etc. during this holiday season
Collecting Tony Conigliaro
0
Comments
"If I ever decided to do a book, I've already got the title-The Bases Were Loaded and So Was I"-Jim Fregosi
I have an LC Greenwood Fleer Greats autograph for $39.95. Someone offers me $15. I come back at $30. He counters at $25 with the following comment: "A $10 move...I'm impressed...OK..I'll make a $10 move, too...How 'bout that? $25?"
I hate to blackball people, but I have run into so many people with unreasonable expectations on eBay and too many people who try to scam or extort you since I started in 1998 that being overly-cautious is really the only way to go.
<< <i>We have another one:
I have an LC Greenwood Fleer Greats autograph for $39.95. Someone offers me $15. I come back at $30. He counters at $25 with the following comment: "A $10 move...I'm impressed...OK..I'll make a $10 move, too...How 'bout that? $25?"
I hate to blackball people, but I have run into so many people with unreasonable expectations on eBay and too many people who try to scam or extort you since I started in 1998 that being overly-cautious is really the only way to go. >>
I would have offered him a $15 move the 2nd time - back up from $30 to $45 - and ask him "How's that, d-head??"
Working on the following: 1970 Baseball PSA, 1970-1976 Raw, World Series Subsets PSA, 1969 Expansion Teams PSA, Fleer World Series Sets, Texas Rangers Topps Run 1972-1989
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Successful deals to date: thedudeabides,gameusedhoop,golfcollector,tigerdean,treetop,bkritz, CapeMOGuy,WeekendHacker,jeff8877,backbidder,Salinas,milbroco,bbuckner22,VitoCo1972,ddfamf,gemint,K,fatty macs,waltersobchak,dboneesq
<< <i>
"i wanted this set and you know it. whyd u sale it for the price you offered it to me?"
"can't believe youd do that to me. that was what i wanted to get my dad for christmas and now its ruined isnt it."
>>
SCAregalia.com - Masonic Regalia & Supply
<< <i>We have another one:
I have an LC Greenwood Fleer Greats autograph for $39.95. Someone offers me $15. I come back at $30. He counters at $25 with the following comment: "A $10 move...I'm impressed...OK..I'll make a $10 move, too...How 'bout that? $25?"
I hate to blackball people, but I have run into so many people with unreasonable expectations on eBay and too many people who try to scam or extort you since I started in 1998 that being overly-cautious is really the only way to go. >>
I'm not following this one. You went down $10 from your price and he came up $10 from his original offer (actually pretty flexible on both parts). When he said he'll make a $10 move too did you think he meant from your $30 counter?
<< <i>
<< <i>We have another one:
I have an LC Greenwood Fleer Greats autograph for $39.95. Someone offers me $15. I come back at $30. He counters at $25 with the following comment: "A $10 move...I'm impressed...OK..I'll make a $10 move, too...How 'bout that? $25?"
I hate to blackball people, but I have run into so many people with unreasonable expectations on eBay and too many people who try to scam or extort you since I started in 1998 that being overly-cautious is really the only way to go. >>
I'm not following this one. You went down $10 from your price and he came up $10 from his original offer (actually pretty flexible on both parts). When he said he'll make a $10 move too did you think he meant from your $30 counter? >>
No, you read it right. I am not objecting to his counteroffer, because I actually would have taken $25, I am objecting to the extremely flip and disingenious attitude.
<< <i>On December 13th, someone else offered me $50 for the set, and I countered them at $60. On the 14th, the first person who asked me if I would take $50 offered me $54.95, and I countered him at $59.99. Well, the different person took it for $60, so the person who had been trying to beat me down sent the following two messages:
"i wanted this set and you know it. whyd u sale it for the price you offered it to me?"
"can't believe youd do that to me. that was what i wanted to get my dad for christmas and now its ruined isnt it."
He didn't ask for the exclusive bargaining rights on the set, it was open for sale to the general public and someone else decided to buy it. I BBLed him, and if anyone wants the username for either of the two people mentioned to BBL them, PM me.
>>
Can't wait to see this dude's reaction after he finds out he lost in the Yu Darvish bidding.
<< <i>I wanted to share a few eBay experiences I've had this week--I guess Christmas brings out some heartwarming stories and some wackos.
"i wanted this set and you know it. whyd u sale it for the price you offered it to me?"
"can't believe youd do that to me. that was what i wanted to get my dad for christmas and now its ruined isnt it."
He didn't ask for the exclusive bargaining rights on the set, it was open for sale to the general public and someone else decided to buy it. I BBLed him, and if anyone wants the username for either of the two people mentioned to BBL them, PM me.
Good luck to all fellow eBayers dealing with the good, bad, ugly, bizarre, etc. etc. etc. during this holiday season
PM me the name of these tools so I can block them. The person crying about not winning the item for $60 is the type of person I always enjoy flaming a little after the fact. I would respond saying something along the lines of you shouldn't have been a fool, and you have no one to blame but yourself for ruining your daddy's Christmas. Maybe next time when someone tells you the lowest they will go you will take the counteroffer and not dick around with trying to make lower offers.
Now that is funny!
"Molon Labe"
<< <i>A simple question and not to sound trite, but when getting offers, some people will lowball and be pissy if they don't get their way. It's just part of negotiating. If you don't like the offer or the tone, just move on. It is only business. You want the best price you can get and the other party wants to pay the least they can. Everything else is just part of the process. If it gets personal, just block the bidder ID if you don't want to deal with them anymore. Pretty simple, isn't it? >>
Yep, that's exactly what I do. I'm sharing these stories for their humor content, not to whine.