Traders

[John Lever]

I see now why eBay has changed so much over the past 15 I have been on the web. An item I am interested in has a bidder who has placed 150 bids on 130 items during the past 30 days. Obviously he is a professional buyer/seller so the amateur enthusiasts like us have no chance.

 

[robrinay]

Well perhaps we do still have a chance, as dealers still need a profit margin which they generally won't bite/bid into, enabling us to buy below their retail prices. There are still 'priceless' ones out there that 'BIN' sellers 'don't know the value of' or describe badly and there are items that end at daft times like the high value chair (a gorgeous museum piece) that ended 2 mins into the Olympics Opening ceremony - I got it for £55 (its a mk 1 Arne Jacobsen Series 7 Office chair - tan leather with nickel plated rod base and castors).
But I do take your point John it's much tougher these days.
Rob

 

[6148th T.C.Squadron]

With leather, and castors :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: lucky bastard

 

[havocpaul]

I agree, John. It seems to be an increasing issue, dealers and a few collectors with deep pockets. I recently bid several times on a very nice 1943 Denison smock but dropped out when the price became very high-end. I was surprised a week later to see an online dealer had the same smock newly listed on his site for more than double the price he had paid, however, his selling price was ridiculous, even after he had added a 'possible' back story the smock's history! I guess he's confident someone one day will pay that price.....

 

[colekwok]

I think most professional buys/sellers use those sniping programs to bid on items. I honestly do not understand why some people have such deep pockets these days. I was trying to look at some vintage Capri bells for my A-2s, but after I did some searches on ebay, those little bells are going for something like $60-100. From what I remember, my old one only cost me less than $20.

 

[bn1966]

Some stuff still seems to go under their radar, have had a few nice nylon scores in the last month. Horrified to note the price that some dealers try & command....have followed some items for 12 months + and they still turn down my above market offers..deep pockets indeed!!

 

[robrinay]

With leather, and castors :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: lucky bastard

Would hate to be seen as obsessive so I collect designer chairs and vintage leather jackets :lol: