Thread: auctions

Do you mean the banks want $25 for a direct deposit into a New Zealand bank account?

Originally Posted by Tonto

Moderators if this need posting elsewhere please do so.

Recently I found a NZ website similar to ebay. Its very succesfull and the prices seemed flamin cheap. So I bid on a couple of planes and a couple ofbrace & bits. Then the crunch came postage I was expecting ! brace oonly postage came to $18.

Is this the postage cost or the price for postage and handling that the seller charges because some of the sellers on these sites, and that includes Ebay sellers in Australia, actually make money on the postage costs. I have seen many items advertised "Buy now" price as quite reasonable, only to find their postage costs on the item is outrageous. A perfect example of this was DVD I wanted to buy was advertised at $3 to buy now but when I looked down at the cost of the postage, it was $15 So given the cost of the genuine postage may have been a couple of dollars for a DVD disc, the seller was making around $16 for his disc.

The site Tonto is talking about is called "Trademe". It's at www.trademe.co.nz. Yes, it is massively successful in NZ. I was grossly disappointed in ebay.com.au when I crossed the ditch.

That international transaction fee is standard, no matter where you are wiring money to... internationally, banks aren't very connected. Watch out with that stuff too, sometimes your australian bank will charge $25 for you to send the money, and then the NZ bank will take off another $25 when it arrives!

I don't really know a way around this, as paypal is not at all popular in NZ.

Originally Posted by jisk

The site Tonto is talking about is called "Trademe". It's at www.trademe.co.nz. Yes, it is massively successful in NZ. I was grossly disappointed in ebay.com.au when I crossed the ditch.

That international transaction fee is standard, no matter where you are wiring money to... internationally, banks aren't very connected. Watch out with that stuff too, sometimes your australian bank will charge $25 for you to send the money, and then the NZ bank will take off another $25 when it arrives!

I don't really know a way around this, as paypal is not at all popular in NZ.

Makes Paypal look a positive bargain!

I've bought things on Trademe and been very happy. The postage is higher than in Oz, but it is coming to us here from NZ, so I expect that. I've found the prices reasonable and the people honest to deal with. And I didn't pay a transaction fee - I think maybe I paid using my credit card (so probably paid a small percentage in currency conversion) but I can't remember.

Originally Posted by Big Shed

Makes Paypal look a positive bargain!

Trademe is in NZ, for NZers. Within NZ, inter-bank transactions are generally free.

Yep, we just deposit straight into the sellers account with no charge and postage in NZ is fairly reasonable. Just a quick e-mail to get the account number and it is done.

Trade me used to be a great place to pick up tools and all sorts very cheaply. As it has become more poular, it is a lot harder to get a bargain, however they do come up from time to time. I bought 2 quick release record vices (got 2 accidentally, only really wanted 1, but I'll keep the other for my son) for $70 NZ delivered. They are in perfect nick. I was chuffed! Also got a ECE primus smoother plane for $10.

Mini, yeap cheap arnet they

Richard is there a cheaper way for freight?

Hey Richard how about you buy them and we'll pay $5 over the cost of postage for your trouble?

HH.

not a stupid suggestion HH there could be a real business in it.

Richard sets up an account over here, we bid on something and hopefully win, pay into his aussie account the amount plus postage plus $5 handling fee and Richard finishes up with a healthy acc to buy quality aussie tools and POLISHES

Well, that is an interesting idea.

I guess a year or two ago, it may have been worth while. Recently, it has, as mentioned, become increasingly difficult to get a bargain. Unless you are after an average #4 or #5 Stanley or Record which go pretty cheaply $20-30 NZ it probably isn't worth it. Certainly compass planes, rebate planes and anything out of the ordinary or pre-1930s seems to go for quite high prices ($150 +) unless you stumble on something mis-spelled - that is how I got the 2 record vices. Reasonable #7 planes may go for $50-100 depending on condition. I don't kow if that is cheap compared with Oz but post to Australia for something that heavy would cost a bit. On the other hand, here is a nice looking #6 as an example - no bids either http://www.trademe.co.nz/Antiques-co...35733.htm?p=20.

Is that worth it? I'm tempted.

A LN small block plane I had my eye on went for $166 the other day, which I think is more than the new price from Carbatec.

Chisels of any quality are often much too expensive in my view and don't come up often. Some Ashley Iles carving chisels were auctioned a while back and I think they went for quite a proportion of their new price (if you get them in the USA mail order or direct from AI).

Generally, stuff is transported locally by Courier post, part of NZ post - say $5 for a #4 plane or thereabouts. I'm not sure about to Australia though.

I have bought a few tools on E-bay, some from the US. In the end, I'd have been better-off getting them locally, at least you can send them back if they are mis-advertised (as one in particular was).

Anyway, as you can tell, I'm not quite as enthusiastic about Trade me, at least for tools, as my 1st e-mail may have suggested. I have got a few bargains, but nothing in the last year. Too many woodworkers and 2nd hand dealers/collectors have cottoned on. All IMHO of course.

Actually, for me the best bargains have been at tool auctions that come up occasionally in town - at least you can view what you bid on.

By the way, as previously mentioned, for me, without exception, people on Trade me have been very honest and good to deal with. However, there are reports of dodgy dealers out there - I just haven't come accross them.

Also, if you think I'm wrong and there are real bargains on Trade me - let me know. HH, I could oblige if you wan't to get something, let me know.