Ebay Droppings Thread.

[Bushmiller]

At a pinch, I reckon you could use that for wood too!

A cooper's plane perhaps?

Regards
Paul

[ian]

This ebay ad describes the plane as "all in great condition"
Vintage Stanley Wood Plane No 4.

As they say in the classics, It pays to read the fine print and to look at the photos.
Can you spot the tiny flaw?

the sole looks to be in remarkable condition for the rest of the plane.

for those who shop for these tools, are the parts worth $45?

should I offer the asking price and negotiate on the postage -- the seller keeps the sole?

[Pac man]

As they say it all depends on what the market will pay. For example on the forum a 4 in good nick goes for about $25 -35plus post

As for the resellers:
The screws alone are worth $20-25
Tote / knob are in reasonable condition say $15 - 20 bucks the pair.
Blade cap iron together $10- 15
Frog $10 - 15
Y adjuster without pin $8 -10
Lever cap in poor condition $ 8-10 if you cleaned it up about $12-15.

You could also keep the base and make one of those DC cast iron surfaces for your sharpening grit.

[Bushmiller]

This ebay ad describes the plane as "all in great condition"
Vintage Stanley Wood Plane No 4.

As they say in the classics, It pays to read the fine print and to look at the photos.
Can you spot the tiny flaw?

Not immediately obvious in the top pic, but when you scroll down the sides of the plane are not symetrical as if one side is broken off. If that is the case I would suggest it is a large flaw.

So...

1. I am incorrect
2. There is another flaw to which you were referring.
3. This is the flaw and your tongue was firmly in the cheek.

Either way it sounds as though it would be good for parts from what Pac Man has said.

Regards
Paul

Regards
Paul

[steck]

1. I am incorrect
2. There is another flaw to which you were referring. NO!
3. This is the flaw and your tongue was firmly in the cheek.

Either way it sounds as though it would be good for parts from what Pac Man has said.

Regards
Paul

Regards
Paul

Yes my tongue was very firmly in my cheek! I was more than a bit amazed at the "All in good condition" description BUt I hadn't considered Pacman's comments on the value of the parts.

[Pac man]

I still wouldnt buy it though unless i needed something or i was prepared to wait a long time to get my money back.

I'd probably buy it at a market after a good haggle. If someone offered it for nothing i also wouldnt knock it back.

I also dont know if you can haggle on the postage as this would potentially vialoate ebay rules of changing the price after the auction. Have learnt that one the hard way as a seller.

[paul.cleary]

Hi,
here is a case of the typical New Zealand tool seller's skewed idea of what a plane in good condition looks like - it is from the NZ eBay equivalent known as "trademe":
NORRIS WOOD PLANE 'No.5 SMOOTHING' | Trade Me

Unfortunately the seller's statement "above average condition" is all too frequent as they have not been exposed to the rigorous standards of the English and USA used tool market.
Cheers
Paul

[Groggy]

Unfortunately the seller's statement "above average condition" is all too frequent as they have not been exposed to the rigorous standards of the English and USA used tool market.
Cheers
Paul

In one statement they say say they "think" it is a No 5. This is an admission they have no idea about what it is. Then in the next statement they confidently state it is in "above average condition for its age" - how could they possibly know an 'average condition' for an item when they are not even sure what it is?

[lightwood]

Hi,
here is a case of the typical New Zealand tool seller's skewed idea of what a plane in good condition looks like - it is from the NZ eBay equivalent known as "trademe":
NORRIS WOOD PLANE 'No.5 SMOOTHING' | Trade Me

Unfortunately the seller's statement "above average condition" is all too frequent as they have not been exposed to the rigorous standards of the English and USA used tool market.
Cheers
Paul

Paul,
at least that Norris is all there..
Unlike this bucket of poop..."its in good condition turns goes up & down "
antique compass plane sargent & co | eBay
At least they note the blade is missing

Peter

[Pac man]

Unusual thing

[seanz]

Unusual thing

Hey! I saw it first!



In my neighbourhood too.

[ian]

Unusual thing

what gets me is the number of sellers who can't google the info stamped on the tool -- in this case Stanley 81-050 -- to find out what it is

Is it sheer laziness or gross incompetence?

[jimbur]

what gets me is the number of sellers who can't google the info stamped on the tool -- in this case Stanley 81-050 -- to find out what it is

Is it sheer laziness or gross incompetence?

As Tom Jones says, "It's not unusual", actually 'unusal' in this case.
Cheers,
Jim

[Bushmiller]

what gets me is the number of sellers who can't google the info stamped on the tool -- in this case Stanley 81-050 -- to find out what it is

Is it sheer laziness or gross incompetence?

Ian

You make a good point. It comes down to the fact that these people are running a business, albeit part-time in some cases, but a business nevertheless.

If they are to be successful they will have to follow the rules that comprise good business sense.

At the very least they should know their product and where it sits in the market. It should be described acurately with any known faults (in the case of used goods) and it should be offered at an attractive price based on these factors. That price can be based on the auction base line or an outright buy it now price.

The fact that the goods are on an online auction should not preculde any of the above. We too, as buyers, should still exercise caution, perhaps even more so as frequently it is impractical to examine goods before the purchase. Caveat emptor is very, very real for ebay.

Having said all that I am still frequently surprised by sellers description of an item. Clearly they are referring to a different dictionary definition than mine.

I often look at the other items a seller has for sale to see if that is their "core" business or an "opportunity" sale.

Regards
Paul

[seanz]

what gets me is the number of sellers who can't google the info stamped on the tool -- in this case Stanley 81-050 -- to find out what it is

Is it sheer laziness or gross incompetence?

Or, are they moving away from their earthquake damaged house and may have had the most stressful 18 months of their lives? Doesn't do a lot for mental acuity.

You could google the seller's location, add the word "earthquake" if it's not too much extra effort......