Thread: eBay Prices - good or bad??

In the U.K., people bid in excess of the new retail price of many products I look at. Factoring in the P&P. the prices are amazing. Do people not know what a product can be bought for?

I have to agree Ross. I've only followed the prices on Triton gear and I'm continually amazed at the prices people pay. Even the old models of saw table seem to go for a fortune.

Graham

Triton have had very strong brand strength and as you can't buy it new any more the supply/demand concern has driven prices up.

Through the good offices of a friend I scored the big router new at a clearance for $160 and would hate to be in the market for a 2nd hand one.

Ross

Ebay is just like any other auction. people get carried away. I watched a bloke pay three (3) times the price for a simple desk fan that sold in woolies for $14.00 at the time and woolies was only around the corner. Go Figure!



Cheers Terry

I have one colleague that buys things on ebay frequently. She does have a limit on what she pays and I guess she knows the items and prices. She like the older style Victorian clothes and laces.

While some people do not do their homework, and others are carried away with a fever, it just happens that some countries charge highly in import tax for new items. Therefore a used item, even at a new price, will work out more cheaply and may, in fact, be a bargain for someone.

Regards from Perth

Derek

I've bought (nearly) all of my metal working stuff on eBay because for me it's convenient. as I don't have transportation . Getting it delivered to my door is worth paying perhaps a little more that I would in a bricks and mortar store.

As with any auction, you have to know the retail/wholesale value of what you're bidding on and when to stop bidding.

I bought a cheap saw I needed to cut bamboo boards, I bought it from Aldi for $179 and sold it on Ebay as well used for $249, I was a happy chappy.

I've had some excellent buys of ebay. Usually 2nd hand goods that are functionally as good as new. Motorbike gear and parts, hobby stuff and a Vicmarc VL250 I ended up negotiating a price with a seller when it wasn't bid on
Some good buys to be had in the states and UK on 2nd hand stuff where locally the full retail price is lower than here. This is including factoring in the postage.
You need to be patient, have searches running for stuff you are after and do your homework on pricing.
Buying off forums is usually better though and the prices and sellers are generally reasonable for the most part.

I have bought a lot of brand new or close to it planes off of ebay even after considering the cost of P&P to Australia.I reckon it has saved me a considerable amount of money over time.

Having researched the local cost with it's tax component and assumed mark-up for shipping here by the local companies I reckon I'm still well in front.

As a consequence I dont bid on anything that has not got a relevant price structure here in Australia.

Admittedly the importation tax can be serious once over that customs allowance and this also has to be taken into account if going down that track.

EBAY is only a tool ...use it wisely as with all tools as it is said.

Cheers

With the name brands, beware of cheap replicas.

E bay has good and bad . It can be frustrating when hunting for that tool you just need and see it go for a good shyteload more than is reasonable then next time you grab a winner. However it goes you do need to do the homework and have the discipline to stick to you're limit.

I have been buying new individual 1/2" shank router bits at good prices.

It never seems to be good to be the first in the buying queue. Chisels were a good example. Prices were astronomical, then everyone tried to unload theirs and naturally the price dropped.
Jim