Boy, has ebay gone downhill...

slothman2000 · March 11, 2014 1:44PM

Since they have been offering free listings on "Buy it now"...there are hardly any true auctions let alone .99 cent starts with no reserve....Seems like everything is over retail priced....What ever happened to the good old days......

2ltdjorn · March 11, 2014 1:46PM

my suggestion is to drink Jack Daniels… and make best offers...

Bochiman · March 11, 2014 1:50PM

There are times I agree, and there are times, depending what category and item you are after, that I am fine with it the way it is right now.
I was able to use the 10% ebay bucks today on a BIN to get a reasonably priced, used, Canon 100mm USM lens. None of the "true auction" ones would end today, nor likely would I have won one of them and would likely have paid a bit more. I say this because I tried winning a few already and didn't.

mrkbrown87 · March 11, 2014 1:54PM

<< my suggestion is to drink Jack Daniels… and make best offers... >>

Onedollarnohollar · March 11, 2014 1:58PM

Just wondering if you would be willing to start an auction on an item at 99c with the nearly mandated "free delivery" on a coin that has value or would you start your auction at the

"minimum" price you would be willing to let it go at plus put a "buy it now" for a slight premium to pay your shipping, PayPal and seller fees and make a little profit?

Too many "true auctions" where the seller thinks that his item has immense value and buyers will go crazy bidding it up find out in the end that they actually lost money.

I am not willing to take the chance personally. My small profile (do not own an Ebay store) on Ebay dictates that I start at my "reserve" price. If it doesn't sell I can always re-evaluate

and adjust...or I can take the listing off for awhile and wait for a stronger market. I'm trying to stay profitable even if it adds up to only a small percentage over costs.

The auction days as you describe them are gone because the market is down overall and people logically have learned (sometimes the hard way) how to cope with reality.

LotsoLuck · March 11, 2014 2:00PM

The good old days are gone, be impulsive and buy it now!

MGLICKER · March 11, 2014 2:10PM

Many individual sellers have been priced out of Ebay. Established sellers with prepriced goods are their new bailiwick.

Pioneer · March 11, 2014 2:14PM

I would say that 1:100 auctions are good deals and priced right with "buy it now." I have generally found that real bidding auctions can go too high or remain fair, depending on where the coin or medal is listed. I collect so-called dollars, and they are up and down, with the real high quality items going super fast if listed on e-bay. There is a lot of undesirable items on e-bay in my opinion, and who really has all the time to look through it all continuously ?

Pioneer · March 11, 2014 2:17PM

Ah, I meant 1:1000…. although these days it could be 1:10,000….

lostincoins · March 11, 2014 2:27PM

+++1 One Dollar

All my auctions include my lowest price I will accept and then I let it ride and it has worked great for me as I am fair in my pricing. Don't get me wrong I want to make money but have no need to rip people. Yep I know I will never be one for the hardcore coin business lol but I am good with that. I watch the car auctions on the old telly all the time and have yet to see a 1966 SS 396 Chevy Chevelle matching numbers car with 5000 original miles start at .99. Why does this seem to be such an issue with so many here? Would you all take your coins that are worth minimum of $500.00 and start them at .99 if you are into that coin for say 375.00 plus fees?

MGLICKER · March 11, 2014 2:44PM

<< Would you all take your coins that are worth minimum of $500.00 and start them at .99 if you are into that coin for say 375.00 plus fees? >>

I have started coin worth many multiples of that of that at 99c. That was the only way I sold coins on Ebay for many years.

That was before the China fakes and you could double your hits with a $20 feature.

Still works ok on stuff like $20 gold and CC Morgans. More obscure or top population coins though are risky with no reserve.

lordmarcovan · March 11, 2014 3:42PM

I still do 99c true auctions with free worldwide shipping.

And not just on the really cheapo stuff, either.

But I can understand some folks not wanting to take that risk, though.

I have one up right now that cost me north of $500 (before slabbing) and it's gonna be a nail-biter. Think it will do OK in the end, though.

I guess we'll see.

I've found that usually it's worth the risk. A 99-cent start and a true auction draws more bidders. Once the lowballers drop out, if you're lucky, you'll get two or three dedicated bidders who'll duke it out amonsgst themselves, and snipertime is always interesting. It's not uncommon for me to see an item increase 50% in price in the final minute or so, sometimes doubling.

ACop · March 11, 2014 7:21PM

<< Many individual sellers have been priced out of Ebay. Established sellers with prepriced goods are their new bailiwick. >>

This is why Amazon has an opening to compete. The model Ebay is going after with inventory available at a set price is leaning towards the Amazon model. God I hope Amazon crushes Ebay and that the coin auction venue moves towards boutique auction houses like Great Collections (But not DLRCaFA - David Lawrence Rare Coins and fake auctions)

PRIZ430 · March 11, 2014 10:28PM

Biggest problem selling on Ebay are the fees....yes...I agree...many items appear over priced...but remember...Ebay adds their 8 to 10% fee on the entire sales price...not just your profit....then Paypal takes their 5% cut....then don't forget the "free" shipping....some one has to pay for that also....I recently sold an item for 2200.00....I only cleared 1940.00 after fees....and that's quite a bite Ebay takes....Ebay makes more on a number of my sales than I do.....BOTTOM LINE...We need competition...SOMEONE needs to take Ebay down a peg or two.....

291fifth · March 11, 2014 10:58PM

My eBay activity, both buying and selling, is at an all time low (I first started using it in 2000).

I'm tired of looking at nothing but full retail (or more) listings of the same very common items, most with high shipping charges.

My own non-coin sales results this year (and I do true auctions with low starting prices) were weak. I don't think that many people are actually bothering to look at the site anymore.

CoinZip · March 11, 2014 11:03PM

I just love threads like this.

mustangmanbob · March 11, 2014 11:14PM

I run both auctions and fixed price on the "same" items (old Mustang parts). Often the Buy It Now goes higher than the auction, as someone wants it NOW and does not want to risk the auction going higher. I have used ebay for 13 years and also have a list of issues IN THE OLD DAYS that ebay fixed. For example, money orders and checks used to the be the main method of payment. An auction would end, and maybe 2 weeks later, a check would show up, no indication of what is was for, and the serial number on the check was 0108. So it would have to be cashed, make sure it was good, etc. and now the buyer is giving a negative since it is taking so long.

I actually believe (joke) that ebay was actually created by an evil consortium of the Post Office, FedEx and digital camera makers.

BillJones · March 11, 2014 11:33PM

Given the fact that I don't enjoy auctions in general, and hate snipping in particular, "Buy it now" doesn't look so bad.

pitboss · March 11, 2014 11:46PM

I list with buy it now with best offer.

They can take, leave it, or make me an offer, It then is my choice as to what I do.

IT IS WHAT IT IS guys, and now you don't have to pay those high listing fees that you used to pay when I first started so you can leave it on until someone buys it.

Just figure in what it cost you, your shipping fees, ebay fees and your profit and when it sells you should be good if you have taken good pictures, your description is good and

you are not trying to put something over on people.

When a better selling tool comes along then let me know, I will be all over it.

ricko · March 12, 2014 12:43AM

Back in the early days of ebay, it was a fantastic place to buy (probably sell too, although I never sold there). There were great bargains on quality products and very little (at that time I saw none) shyster activity. I purchased coins, marbles and many other items at great prices. Sad to see what was once a super resource decline so much. Cheers, RickO

amwldcoin · March 12, 2014 1:05AM

<< Back in the early days of ebay, it was a fantastic place to buy (probably sell too, although I never sold there). There were great bargains on quality products and very little (at that time I saw none) shyster activity. I purchased coins, marbles and many other items at great prices. Sad to see what was once a super resource decline so much. Cheers, RickO >>

Did you ever stop and think so many bargains don't abound anymore because more and more people discovered ebay leading to more competition for what used to be bargains?

Coinsponge · March 12, 2014 1:11AM

<< Biggest problem selling on Ebay are the fees....yes...I agree...many items appear over priced...but remember...Ebay adds their 8 to 10% fee on the entire sales price...not just your profit....then Paypal takes their 5% cut....then don't forget the "free" shipping....some one has to pay for that also....I recently sold an item for 2200.00....I only cleared 1940.00 after fees....and that's quite a bite Ebay takes....Ebay makes more on a number of my sales than I do.....BOTTOM LINE...We need competition...SOMEONE needs to take Ebay down a peg or two..... >>

I do think that good deals are still there although you may have to work at it more.

rec78 · March 12, 2014 1:28AM

The problem with bins is, that if anything is listed at a low price, the first person to see it grabs it. By the time you or I see it, it is sold, or more than likely than not, we do not see them at all. So the only things left to see are the overpriced items.

Bob

LindeDad · March 12, 2014 1:38AM

I'm just glad I have Excel.

hchcoin · March 12, 2014 2:50AM

I agree with the OP.

COALPORTER · March 12, 2014 3:01AM

"

<< Many individual sellers have been priced out of Ebay. Established sellers with prepriced goods are their new bailiwick. >>

"

IMO, ebay levels the playing field between small timers and major dealers. If anything, the small guys can cause the big
guys allot of grief. Usually, pro sellers need to sell something and the small guys can just sit on their over priced goods and
clog sales for everyone.

coin22lover · March 12, 2014 3:15AM

If I were to ever sell anything on Ebay again (which I haven't in years) it would never be using a no reserve auction. The results are often devastating, and people know that.

mayor1 · March 12, 2014 3:43AM

The "Good ol Days" ended when EBay went public. Anybody remember Pierre?

DeepCoin · March 12, 2014 3:59AM

Ebay is still a good place to liquidate coins if you are a collector and want to more on from one area to another. I know I received more from selling online than I would have been offered by a dealer. Much depends upon how well you bought. I still use a low starting price for a true auction. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, such is the nature of auctions. If you are selling more than $500 in a month it pays to have an eBay store, even if you are not selling long term. The break even between 10 percent non store fees and 6 percent if you have a store is $500 as a store costs $20 a month (less if you are willing to sign up for longer, but for the purposes of selling a number of coins and then not selling, the store rental by the month makes the most sense.

fishcooker · March 12, 2014 4:11AM

It's their deal, so they can ruin it if they want. So far, the changes have resulted in exactly what people foretold.

Bayard1908 · March 12, 2014 4:25AM

I have bought less on eBay this quarter than any quarter I can remember. I suspect this is because eBay has revoked the selling privileges for tens of thousands of users in recent months. I was probably in the habit of buying from at least some of these banned people and now they and their coins for sale are gone.

eBay seems bound and determined to ruin the site, focusing on brand name partnerships and high volume sellers in China. eBay does not want small sellers, and small sellers should be diversifying to other sales channels to lessen their dependence on eBay.

johnny9434 · March 12, 2014 5:10AM

<< Back in the early days of ebay, it was a fantastic place to buy (probably sell too, although I never sold there). There were great bargains on quality products and very little (at that time I saw none) shyster activity. I purchased coins, marbles and many other items at great prices. Sad to see what was once a super resource decline so much. Cheers, RickO >>

yeah that does suck to see that rick. bygone days i guess

LindeDad · March 12, 2014 5:21AM

Funny nobody mentions running up against shills in the old days. I know I sure did.

TwoSides2aCoin · March 12, 2014 5:22AM

This went to Europe. Buyer claims he didn't get it. Tracking shows it was delivered. Buyer opens dispute. Seller responds with proof. Pay Pal says Proof is not enough and needs more proof.

I think.: "PROOF ? " This is not even MS with a sticker.

For the $38 plus $8.88 shipping overseas, sometimes I wonder if it's all worth it. I can read the item's been delivered. I wonder who has it, but don't think I should have to re prove it and reprove it. I sure don't have it.

TwoSides2aCoin · March 12, 2014 5:27AM

^ The more I look at it, the more I want to call it the Broccoli Specimen. BS for short.

TwoSides2aCoin · March 12, 2014 7:27AM

Today in the shop made me realize why the door is staying closed. Exclusively on eBay now. Thank you. Too bad, so sad. Ebay and me have a thang going on.

thisnamztaken · March 12, 2014 10:31AM

I'm an occasional (small-time) eBay seller and have had both positive and negative experiences starting mid-3 figure coins out at 99¢. Now I either start them out at or near what I have in them or list them as BIN/or best offer. There is so much competition on eBay nowadays compared to only a few years ago, and there are a LOT of low-ballers that you have to keep rejecting until you get an occasional fair offer. I'm amazed at how many cheapskates there are that think that just because you use BIN or BO that you will be willing to take 50% off of your BIN price!

slothman2000 · March 12, 2014 11:41AM

<< I actually believe (joke) that ebay was actually created by an evil consortium of the Post Office, FedEx and digital camera makers. >>

I literally fell out of my chair laughing at this one....but come to think of it, it seems to have some truth to it......

Walkerfan · March 12, 2014 11:46AM

<< 

<< my suggestion is to drink Jack Daniels… and make best offers... >>

>>

ME TOO!!

Also, call seller direct and make an offer.

mercurydimeguy · March 12, 2014 12:50PM

I love it, it allows me to make offers on a myriad of coins I'd otherwise never even have access to seeing. And from time to time, I pick up solid deals on real nice coins.

I just scored this 1869 IHC in a PCGS AU55 holder... it came in the mail today. Seller was asking $850 with Best Offer. I offered $510. Seller accepted. Voila! I have a real nice coin at a decent price. No bidflation, no waiting weeks, no hassles. Couldn't be better...

I never liked (and still don't prefer) the auction model. I prefer to see a coin I like and to make an offer on the coin, just like a do at a real coin show. In fact BIN with Best Offer simulates a coin show environment more so than any other method.

Of course, this is my 10 cents only

/mdg.

pitboss · March 12, 2014 2:20PM

As I said before BIN with best offer works best for me.

I get the price I want or I don't sell and ebay just keeps the listings up there until I do.

I'm in no hurry.

Boy, has ebay gone downhill...

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