Evenin' Frank, frank theriault wrote: > > Hi, Keith, > > I don't want a steal, but I know what I want to pay for something, and I don't want > to pay more. Is that a bad thing?
Nope. Not at all. > A seller has the right to start an auction at whatever price he/she wants. They have > the right to put whatever reserve they want on it. I don't begrudge them that. > > I have the right to bid on whatever auction I want (or not). What's the problem with > that? No problem with that at all, that I can see... > I'm not going to buy something on eBay for what it would fetch at a used camera > store. Nor would I. > I'm not going to pay what it would be worth from a PDML list member, either. > Usually, I have no idea who the heck an eBay seller is (even with feedback, one can > never be sure). In a store, I can hold and try an item, and I'll get a meaningful > warranty. I trust PDML'ers, so while I can't usually physically try something out, I > know that I'll get satisfaction. > > I don't have that assurance on eBay (at least not to the same extent), so I bid > accordingly. > > [major backtrack alert!] I will sometimes bid on items that have reserves, in hopes > that the reserve is low enough that I feel I'm paying a reasonable price. Usually it > isn't, but I'll test the waters if it's something I want. > > But, to repeat my earlier position, what bugs me is high starting prices, with > reserves and BINs, where the reserve equals the bin. Those aren't really auctions, > are they? They're pretty much just classified ads on eBay. They invariably are not > bargains (maybe not overly high prices, but not bargains), and I don't want any part > of it. I understand that. > Do you begrudge me because I want to pay as little as possible for the best quality > possible? Nossir. Not at all. > Don't we all? Do you walk into a car dealership (except Saturn, and > others with no-dicker pricing), and say, "I'll take that Ford Taurus, and I'll pay > list, thanks!" Of course you don't. First of all, becuase you don't strike me as > the Ford Taurus type of guy <vbg>, and secondly, because you know that's not how the > game's played. No, in fact, I bought a Saturn 4 years ago and I still love it! 4 door wagon, 4 speed stick-shift tranny, leather and the basic 4 speaker sound/CD system. Handling package. May keep it another 4 years! <g> Don't regret a penny of my expenditure. The Spotty F of small autos! > But, look, Keith. I pay more for my b&w film processing, because I've come to know > Robert, who owns and runs his little business, he's a great guy, does a great job, > does favours for me (not ones that cost money, but once in a while he'll rush things, > that sort of thing), provides great service, and I've become friends with him. I > don't mind paying a premium to support a "little guy" like that. We need those > sorts, don't we? Yup. Wish I had a Robert around here! > Know what else? I've bought four not insignificant items from list members over the > years (probably more, but at least four). I bought my MX and Winder from Wheatfield, > and I payed exactly what he asked for it. When I got it, it kept jamming. I got it > CLA'ed at my own expense (expect that with a used camera anyway...), and didn't bitch > or want a rebate - in fact, Wheatfield offered to refund the CLA from the price, and > I said "no". > > I bought a 2.5 135mm Takumar (bayonet) - yes, the "dog" - from Mark Lindamood (sorry > if I spelled you surname wrong, Mark), and payed exactly what he asked. I bought my > Leica CL from Dave Chang-Sang for his asking price. Do you see a pattern here? I > also bought a Super Tak 1.4 50mm and a Soligor m42 35-105 zoom from two other listers > (oops, that's five items) at the asking price. The 1.4 was slightly yellowed when I > got it, and I didn't complain. The Soligor is hardly stellar, but whatever. I bought a nice little zoom (Pentax-A 35-70 f/4.0) from a fellow PDMLer, and it required a CLA because of a worn spiral sleeve, affecting the focus and such. Way too much play. However, I got the lens for a very reasonable price, and gladly paid the CLA on top of it. Other than the worn sleeve, it was in excellent condition. In a lens test I saw that our Mr. Poon loves that lens, and that's all the recommendation I needed. <g> Didn't complain about the work it needed. I now have a very fine little zoom, of good quality, for a reasonable price. I'm happy. > These were purchases from friends (or near friends), and for those sorts of persons, > I don't think it's worth bargaining $20 or $50 off an item - I pay what they ask or I > don't buy. I never said you were cheap! <g> > eBay is different for me. I don't feel the same loyalty to those sellers, so I try > to get the best price I can (plus there's the uncertainty of a deal being completed, > or of getting damaged goods that affect what I'm prepared to bid). There are > millions out there who are willing to pay more. If there aren't, then the seller > either doesn't sell (if the reserve isn't met) or he doesn't get what he hoped for. > Them's the breaks. You bet. I treat it the same way. > Just don't tell me I'm looking for a steal. I'm not that type of person, not with > people I know. I understand and I withdraw any such implication. > regards, > frank Back atcha! keith
