Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/08/12
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I Respectfully Submit, As someone who has recently looked into and used eBay for buying and selling photographic equipment: I find it a fascinating world market place. It takes some time/effort to make a good listing with photos, etc. But one can find considerably more information regarding the look and condition there than a few few words on the lug. > IMO, people who put up an article on Ebay first and then tell everybody in the LUG to go and have a crack at it is like someone who wants his cake and eat it. And find no offense in luggers letting me know where I can go to get this expanded information, as well as a feel for the the international market. > I see it as an unfriendly and selfish act within a forum of people who generally have a common interest and comraderie. Having sold 8 items and bought a few, I have found the photographic community on eBay every bit as friendly and courteous as any lugger and in some cases more so. > imply? I get the message that we are given one chance to make good the purchase (and better do it quick). Otherwise, whoever it is is going to get a better deal on Ebay. While I love to find great deals, anywhere, I also NEED to get the best possible price on anything I sell. And eBay, like every other auction venue, represents the true market value on any given day within the buyer group present. A couple years ago I bought a Durst Lab 184 (8x10) with color head and 300mm Nikkor in superb condition for $250 at Local commercial studio auction, essentially scrap steel prices. That represented the market at that place on that day. Good for me. I have always enjoyed the auction approach as a fascinating marketing experience, whether eBay, Sotheby's or the local scene. And I welcome the knowledge that auctions offer regarding the various market fluctuations. > Ebay seems to have succeeded in bringing out the worse in human behavior. Advice: Leave the emotions out of buying and selling. Enjoy the fact that that the technology allows us to shop / sell around the world, meeting wonderful people in far away places. My vote: Let us know if you have things for sale on Friday, with or without ebay list info. I'm just another potential customer for the item. Not a dear friend or relative. If I'm interested in owning your gear, I'll go look and bid. If not I won't. Remember the old advice, "Don't sell your used car to your brother-in-law." But: I really did get a good feeling (emotion again) from reading about the fellow who only sold stuff for what he put into it. Wonderful human being. Kudos. I can't afford to do that at this time. George