The $500 Bill Kelso...

[ausreenactor]

Gents,

To add to my belief that 'jacket world' is shrinking financially.. and to balance the debate somewhat. I assure you Scott the generic post title will fly on the next tale of jacket woe.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Reproduction-A1 ... 7675.l2557

Great jacket and once again a low realised price. The guy with the offer landed it. $500 after eBay's cut.

Might ship my BRs back to Japan where demand does not appear to have dropped off. Miles might be able to comment on that?

 

[foster]

I still think prices realized on eBay will be higher in October-December. April through September is not the best time to try and sell jackets on there, at least not in the USA.

 

[DG567]

I still think prices realized on eBay will be higher in October-December. April through September is not the best time to try and sell jackets on there, at least not in the USA.

Agreed - and a horsehide A1 that looks stiff as a board shouldn't be the measuring stick!

 

[Cobblers161]

I sold my GW a couple of weeks back for £675 which was just a little less than what I wanted but still a decent and fair price.

I think with all the choices out there there are a number of things that determine desireability largely specific contract, some just fly out the window while others like the 18091 take far longer, hide/leather and zipper, nos or repro.

I've never lost out massively on a jacket. I do think that the market is minimal and the more jackets are produced the more that market is satisfied, except us at VLJ that is

 

[ADC]

If Ebay sellers want to max dollars in these slow times, they should eschew laziness and paranoia and ship international. I may have given him more dollars if avaliable for me to buy. It's a big world with a lot of bucks to spend. Buyers should also take note.

 

[ausreenactor]

If Ebay sellers want to max dollars in these slow times, they should eschew laziness and paranoia and ship international. I may have given him more dollars if avaliable for me to buy. It's a big world with a lot of bucks to spend. Buyers should also take note.

Good call. I tend to halve the shipping cost to encourage the bids as well.

 

[a2jacketpatches]

If Ebay sellers want to max dollars in these slow times, they should eschew laziness and paranoia and ship international. I may have given him more dollars if avaliable for me to buy. It's a big world with a lot of bucks to spend. Buyers should also take note.

Very true, opening up word wide absolutely does bring in more bids / money. Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut -

Not too long ago I shipped a $535 M1 Helmet to France tracking it right to the door step. Stated "Attempted delivery, awaiting pick up"
Stayed that way for two weeks while I sent a message or two every day through Ebay and the personal email used for the transaction. Then I tracked it all the way back to my door step, literally. Within the hour of arrival he filed a not received dispute and emailed me as if he didn't get the package or any notices. When I questioned that he left me a negative FB. I lost sleep over this and roughly 60- in shipping costs and was furious. After several long phone calls to Ebay without success in the very department that handles feedback removal, I just did my best to get over it. I called Ebay a few days after they released a full refund to this ass to see if I could at least get my shipping back. I explained the situation to this girl and within 5 minutes she removed the negative and refunded my shipping at Ebay expense, the ass kept his full refund. I believe she called due to the amount of time and energy I put into this, several hours. But while in process I saw no remedy to my problem and truly thought I was screwed out of hours of time and 60 bucks, not to mention a few new wrinkles on my face from the pissed off look I carried around for three weeks.

Then, just to clear up that it's not just an over seas problem. I sold a Kids Samsung Galaxy Tablet to a woman in New Jersey because my wife won an Ipad at her Christmas party. After Zach killed his first Zombie that night the Galaxy with the Choo Choo Train games went on the shelf. Nearly brand new with a transferable warranty that replaces or fixes it without question at Best Buy, I listed for 100- and it ended at 135- I paid a total of 310- On the same day it was delivered I got an email and dispute filed stating that it didn't work and they took it to Best Buy to confirm. Within minutes of return I opened it,turned it on, it worked perfectly, so I gave it to the 2 year old boy next door who is still using it without issues. I emailed the Ebay buyer with my questions and disappointment but never got a reply. The PP funds were frozen and they were refunded in full to include the courtesy insurance I added at their request but they did not pay for.

Guess my point is that "laziness and paranoia" is a little harsh. It is a very real problem out there in the Ebay community. Both of the recent problem buyers had 50 or less feedback over a period of time so I'm chocking these up to that. They've been on Ebay long enough to know what they're doing but abuse the system. I do have some faith in the system and these two recent issues have not discouraged me from world wide trading but I can understand why some folks won't ship overseas.

Whether a repro A2, German trench knife, or the most recent treasure that I posted here, the B-24 photo album, I buy as cheap as possible. Aside from my patches, everything else is considered a short term savings account because I haven't really notice a considerable rise or fall in much of anything over my 20 years on Ebay. I've got a pile of stuff purchased over the past 6 months or so for maybe a total of 500- I'll be listing it all very soon for my move to San Francisco August 1st. Like I said, a short term savings account that beats any bank because my return on 500- is expected to be 2500- to 3000- based on Ebay completed listing searches of the same items. I get a few things this way, the thrill of the hunt, enjoy the stuff and researching for a while, and then flip it for usually 10 fold.

After following this and the other thread, I'm convinced that purchasing a used repro A2 for personal use makes sense when get out of this 119 degree sand box, but I won't be counting on resale value.

 

[foster]

OK, so I completely missed the horsehide detail in the auction listing.

To my knowledge, the A-1 was not made in horsehide. It was because the cape leather was so supple and lightweight, that it did not hold up to rugged use and therefore the specification for the A-2 was in horsehide, a more durable and long-wearing hide.

Maybe this also has something to do with the final price? Although the quality of BK's horsehide is fantastic, it seems an unusual choice for an A-1? Well, it is all speculation (currently valued at 2 Cents) for me as I have never owned an A-1 from any maker.

 

[ButteMT61]

Well, the recent postings on the FB page surely didn't help either.
Like I've said before - when you're dropping a grand on a nice leather jacket, for a little more, you get one custom built for you with your measurements, your colors, your hides, and your contract.
I think it's rare that someone finds all of those criteria in a nice, used jacket.
That A-1 was a nice jacket. I would have loved to get it for my son. I never thought he'd drop the price so much so quickly.

 

[ADC]

If Ebay sellers want to max dollars in these slow times, they should eschew laziness and paranoia and ship international. I may have given him more dollars if avaliable for me to buy. It's a big world with a lot of bucks to spend. Buyers should also take note.

Very true, opening up word wide absolutely does bring in more bids / money. Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut -

Not too long ago I shipped a $535 M1 Helmet to France tracking it right to the door step. Stated "Attempted delivery, awaiting pick up"
Stayed that way for two weeks while I sent a message or two every day through Ebay and the personal email used for the transaction. Then I tracked it all the way back to my door step, literally. Within the hour of arrival he filed a not received dispute and emailed me as if he didn't get the package or any notices. When I questioned that he left me a negative FB. I lost sleep over this and roughly 60- in shipping costs and was furious. After several long phone calls to Ebay without success in the very department that handles feedback removal, I just did my best to get over it. I called Ebay a few days after they released a full refund to this ass to see if I could at least get my shipping back. I explained the situation to this girl and within 5 minutes she removed the negative and refunded my shipping at Ebay expense, the ass kept his full refund. I believe she called due to the amount of time and energy I put into this, several hours. But while in process I saw no remedy to my problem and truly thought I was screwed out of hours of time and 60 bucks, not to mention a few new wrinkles on my face from the pissed off look I carried around for three weeks.

Then, just to clear up that it's not just an over seas problem. I sold a Kids Samsung Galaxy Tablet to a woman in New Jersey because my wife won an Ipad at her Christmas party. After Zach killed his first Zombie that night the Galaxy with the Choo Choo Train games went on the shelf. Nearly brand new with a transferable warranty that replaces or fixes it without question at Best Buy, I listed for 100- and it ended at 135- I paid a total of 310- On the same day it was delivered I got an email and dispute filed stating that it didn't work and they took it to Best Buy to confirm. Within minutes of return I opened it,turned it on, it worked perfectly, so I gave it to the 2 year old boy next door who is still using it without issues. I emailed the Ebay buyer with my questions and disappointment but never got a reply. The PP funds were frozen and they were refunded in full to include the courtesy insurance I added at their request but they did not pay for.

Guess my point is that "laziness and paranoia" is a little harsh. It is a very real problem out there in the Ebay community. Both of the recent problem buyers had 50 or less feedback over a period of time so I'm chocking these up to that. They've been on Ebay long enough to know what they're doing but abuse the system. I do have some faith in the system and these two recent issues have not discouraged me from world wide trading but I can understand why some folks won't ship overseas.

Whether a repro A2, German trench knife, or the most recent treasure that I posted here, the B-24 photo album, I buy as cheap as possible. Aside from my patches, everything else is considered a short term savings account because I haven't really notice a considerable rise or fall in much of anything over my 20 years on Ebay. I've got a pile of stuff purchased over the past 6 months or so for maybe a total of 500- I'll be listing it all very soon for my move to San Francisco August 1st. Like I said, a short term savings account that beats any bank because my return on 500- is expected to be 2500- to 3000- based on Ebay completed listing searches of the same items. I get a few things this way, the thrill of the hunt, enjoy the stuff and researching for a while, and then flip it for usually 10 fold.

After following this and the other thread, I'm convinced that purchasing a used repro A2 for personal use makes sense when get out of this 119 degree sand box, but I won't be counting on resale value.

It is kind of frustrating seeing something I want to buy and being locked out of the market. And even more so seeing it go for a fraction I would gladly pay. "Lazy and Paranoia" is a throw away line expressing this. Sorry if anyone is offended. No harm intended. I have been both a buyer and seller on Ebay since 2002 and I would say confidently my biggest problem has been with sellers more than buyers. For every dud buyer there has been half dozen or more bad sellers, domestic or international.


A lot depends on what areas one deals with also I believe. I have been a collector of Asian antiques which is perhaps the riskiest collecting game around. My most recent bad experience was an antique item that arrived broken worth well over a $1000. Item was posted fully insured from the USA. I provided the seller with photos and postal claim forms and he responded with smooth soothing words about how quickly he will resolve the issue. Problem was no quick refund came. Then he had several excuses including he was overseas and will sort the matter promptly on return, coincidently on the day after Paypal's 45 day claim period expired no doubt hoping I was ignorant. He was trying to double dip on me. I did all the insurance paperwork and he had first right to a postal claim. Of course once the Paypal claim period expired he would have got the insurance money and never refunded me. He didn't fool me and my Paypal claim went in with a day to spare. PayPal promptly got me my refund.

 

[ADC]

If Ebay sellers want to max dollars in these slow times, they should eschew laziness and paranoia and ship international. I may have given him more dollars if avaliable for me to buy. It's a big world with a lot of bucks to spend. Buyers should also take note.

Very true, opening up word wide absolutely does bring in more bids / money. Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut -

Not too long ago I shipped a $535 M1 Helmet to France tracking it right to the door step. Stated "Attempted delivery, awaiting pick up"
Stayed that way for two weeks while I sent a message or two every day through Ebay and the personal email used for the transaction. Then I tracked it all the way back to my door step, literally. Within the hour of arrival he filed a not received dispute and emailed me as if he didn't get the package or any notices. When I questioned that he left me a negative FB. I lost sleep over this and roughly 60- in shipping costs and was furious. After several long phone calls to Ebay without success in the very department that handles feedback removal, I just did my best to get over it. I called Ebay a few days after they released a full refund to this ass to see if I could at least get my shipping back. I explained the situation to this girl and within 5 minutes she removed the negative and refunded my shipping at Ebay expense, the ass kept his full refund. I believe she called due to the amount of time and energy I put into this, several hours. But while in process I saw no remedy to my problem and truly thought I was screwed out of hours of time and 60 bucks, not to mention a few new wrinkles on my face from the pissed off look I carried around for three weeks.

Then, just to clear up that it's not just an over seas problem. I sold a Kids Samsung Galaxy Tablet to a woman in New Jersey because my wife won an Ipad at her Christmas party. After Zach killed his first Zombie that night the Galaxy with the Choo Choo Train games went on the shelf. Nearly brand new with a transferable warranty that replaces or fixes it without question at Best Buy, I listed for 100- and it ended at 135- I paid a total of 310- On the same day it was delivered I got an email and dispute filed stating that it didn't work and they took it to Best Buy to confirm. Within minutes of return I opened it,turned it on, it worked perfectly, so I gave it to the 2 year old boy next door who is still using it without issues. I emailed the Ebay buyer with my questions and disappointment but never got a reply. The PP funds were frozen and they were refunded in full to include the courtesy insurance I added at their request but they did not pay for.

Guess my point is that "laziness and paranoia" is a little harsh. It is a very real problem out there in the Ebay community. Both of the recent problem buyers had 50 or less feedback over a period of time so I'm chocking these up to that. They've been on Ebay long enough to know what they're doing but abuse the system. I do have some faith in the system and these two recent issues have not discouraged me from world wide trading but I can understand why some folks won't ship overseas.

Whether a repro A2, German trench knife, or the most recent treasure that I posted here, the B-24 photo album, I buy as cheap as possible. Aside from my patches, everything else is considered a short term savings account because I haven't really notice a considerable rise or fall in much of anything over my 20 years on Ebay. I've got a pile of stuff purchased over the past 6 months or so for maybe a total of 500- I'll be listing it all very soon for my move to San Francisco August 1st. Like I said, a short term savings account that beats any bank because my return on 500- is expected to be 2500- to 3000- based on Ebay completed listing searches of the same items. I get a few things this way, the thrill of the hunt, enjoy the stuff and researching for a while, and then flip it for usually 10 fold.

After following this and the other thread, I'm convinced that purchasing a used repro A2 for personal use makes sense when get out of this 119 degree sand box, but I won't be counting on resale value.

It is kind frustrating seeing something I want to buy and being locked out of the market. And even more so seeing it go for a fraction I would gladly pay. "Lazy and Paranoia" is a throw away line expressing this. Sorry if anyone is offended. No harm intended. I have been both a buyer and seller on Ebay since 2002 and I would say confidently my biggest problem has been with sellers rather than buyers. For every dud buyer there has been half dozen or more bad sellers, domestic and international.
A lot depends on what areas one deals with also. I have been a collector of Asian antiques which is perhaps the riskiest collecting game around. My most recent bad experience was an antique item that arrived broken worth well over a $1000. Item was posted fully insured. I provided the seller with photos and postal claim forms and he responded with only good soothing words about how quickly he would resolve the issue. Problem was no quick refund came. Then he had several excuses including he was overseas and will sort the matter promptly on return, coincidently on the day Paypal's 45 day claim period expired no doubt hoping I was ignorant. He was trying to double dip on me. I did all the insurance paperwork and he had first right to a postal claim. Of course once the Paypal claim period expired he would have got the insurance money also and never refund me. He didn't fool me and my Paypal claim went in with a day to spare. PayPal promptly got me my refund.

 

[a2jacketpatches]

Yeah, but ultimately the buyers are very much in control and safe from any wrong doing, so much they are able to easily abuse it by promptly and prematurely filing disputes. The shenanigans of the buyer were so obvious that I was relentless in pursuing my shipping cost for that helmet and removal of the bogus feedback. To the point where most would just give up and I almost did. That may just mean that most deserve it because there certainly are a lot of sketchy sellers out there. All I know is that I buy on Ebay worry free and have had problems that were always settled in my favor. BTW, I think the dispute window is now 6 months / 180 days.

In any event, the topic of this thread is about the overall market and I think every thing is subject to problems on Ebay. Many personal preference factors, fees, risk, and hassle are certainly a turn off for a lot of members on both ends. Especially selling items you've invested good money in. Selling my patches can be a little tough at times but I'm always referring customers to my personal PP account to pay as F&F passing the savings on to them. Kind of an incentive for them, and I still get the exposure on Ebay. The exposure is about all Ebay is really worth to me and I just use them for it. Anything else I buy to sell (militaria) there is cheap like I said so it's all gravy no matter the fees. Heading out in a few minutes for the hunt but won't spend 20 bucks unless I can make 100- This way if I ever do get screwed I won't feel too bad. Getting stuck on shipping or something minor is annoying but not a huge issue as long as the item is returned in the end.