Ebay help please??

[Farmer_Gyles]

It was something old, that was only available oop North (so that let's me out) and there seem to have been several for sale and both the Farmer and his good lady wanted it, but the Missus could wait longer than the Farmer.

i wasn't gonna let ebay beat me .....
preloved had them up north but not down south (it seems to have a mostly northern user base)
but ebay had them down here ....

[veggiechicken]

Ooohh! Farmer Gyles - you are a tease!!

[Two_Sheds]

thanks everyone for all your help on this

That's what we like to hear!
Too often people take advice & help without it occurring to them to offer any thanks for that advice, freely & generously given

i'm now in trouble with Her Ladyship for spending £78 on something we both want

So you won? Didn't we do well ! (your team)

i wasn't gonna let ebay beat me ...

Well it still would have, if you didn't have your team onside

[Farmer_Gyles]

That's what we like to hear!
Too often people take advice & help without it occurring to them to offer any thanks for that advice, freely & generously given

i do have manners, good and bad ....

So you won? Didn't we do well ! (your team)

yep, BS got the bid in in the dying seconds ....

Her Ladyship came home from work and gave me that look .... you know ..... THAT look .....

I was gonna remind her that "we could have paid £500 for one so we've saved over £400" but then I remembered how she has over 150 pairs of shoes and boots, plus god knows how many handbags and how she would probably rush off out to spend our savings ....

So like a true husband, I apologised, very sincerely, for buying her a pressie without her permission, promised I would never buy her anything ever again .....

She's coming with me to collect her pressie in the morning ....

[Cue the Toms]

How to eBay:

The downside to eBay is that too many prats are prepared to pay over the odds for items that you can actually buy cheaper from the shops, especially when you look at the postal charges. FACT! People have differing ideas on what they are prepared to pay and, an items actual worth (Always remember, something is "only" worth what someone is prepared to pay). The more people bidding and watching the higher the final price will be at the end of the auction. Especially if some thinks that they are getting a real bargain.. I steer clear of those items as you will very rarely get a bargain!

The best bargains are usually to be had when the item is out of season,, eg gardening, camping, motorcycles and clothing (I'm sure you get my drift).

1) Find your item (don't forget to look on Bargain checker, that's eBays spelling mistake sister site. (google it if you don't know of the site). And definitely look at the sellers feedback rating
2) Decide your absolute maximum bid... Add it to your watch list.
3) Go away and check your item out at Amazon (again, google it) and how much you could buy it for direct from them, including postage costs.. Don't forget to read the customer reviews about your desired item.
5) Sit on your hands until the item has a few minutes to go (DON'T BID YET)... If the item has gone over your price range, then delete from watch list and search for another one! If not wait until the item has aprox 20 seconds to go and enter your maximum bid and confirm. If you are the highest bidder the site will tell you, if not then someone is prepared to pay more than you and what you thought that the item was worth... Swallow your pride and think to yourself "more fool you" and find another one!

It really is that simple in my opinion.

Join the freecycle and freegle site networks for your area.. You will be astonished at what people give away for free!

Chris

[Two_Sheds]

too many prats are prepared to pay over the odds for items that you can actually buy cheaper from the shops

But some people aren't near the shops, and the petrol & parking would cost the same or possibly more, than the postage.

[Two_Sheds]

How to eBay: wait until the item has aprox 20 seconds to go and enter your maximum bid

... and I'll beat you every time, using BS which bids for me in the last 7 seconds. It's faster than you can type in your next bid

[Feral007]

We have very slow internet connection so no snipering at the last minute here! But one thing I've learned from trying to buy a bargain. Watch what other things go for, just put in a bid here or there. But don't start upping it. If there are 3/4 things over the next few days let them have their pricing wars and get out of there............then you'll bag a bargain cos no one is bidding against you. Got my daughters riding coat like that - $30 + postage vs $70 and $90. Just need to let them fight it out and go away.........

[Cue the Toms]

But some people aren't near the shops, and the petrol & parking would cost the same or possibly more, than the postage.

Fair enough... Amazon???

[Two_Sheds]

^ sometimes Amazon is cheaper, but not very often

Just as an example, I've won a £200 stroller for £79, I got a £50 lawnmower for £20 and last winter I got 5 pairs of boots for the price on one on the high street.

I think eBay is the best thing since sliced bread, IF you know what you're doing and can employ some common sense and some self-control

[Cue the Toms]

... and I'll beat you every time, using BS which bids for me in the last 7 seconds. It's faster than you can type in your next bid

Doesn't come into it if you have put in your maximum bid anyway.

I only bid on something if it is still within the max that I'm prepared to pay so if my last few seconds bid isn't enough then so be it and I will move on... I just like to see how the auction is going before I commit to trying to win an item... Works for me I have to say. Your way is OK too in my book.

[Cue the Toms]

^ sometimes Amazon is cheaper, but not very often

Just as an example, I've won a £200 stroller for £79, I got a £50 lawnmower for £20 and last winter I got 5 pairs of boots for the price on one on the high street.

I think eBay is the best thing since sliced bread, IF you know what you're doing and can employ some common sense and some self-control

Self control is the key to success with eBay...

Amazon is always worth a look though before you bid on eBay even if only to check out customer reviews on an item that you fancy buying.

We won a complete kitchen worth approx 5K when new for just £31.. Now that was a bargain and a half... The seller was distraught that her hadn't put a reserve on it! hahaha

[Two_Sheds]

something is "only" worth what someone is prepared to pay

That's true, and I usually check the Completed Listings for an item, to see what the selling price has been in the recent past

[veggiechicken]

I think eBay is the best thing since sliced bread, IF you know what you're doing and can employ some common sense and some self-control

Now I know where I'm going wrong!!
Thanks for all the advice on here, folks. Very useful

[Glutton4...]

Self control is the key to success with eBay... We won a complete kitchen worth approx 5K when new for just £31.. Now that was a bargain and a half... The seller was distraught that her hadn't put a reserve on it! hahaha

I'm with ya there! Love it! I have had some fantastic bargains; my favourite being footwear. £180+ pair of hiking boots (I wear them for work) for £25. They had been worn for one weekend ie two days! Riding boots (short Jodhpur boots) cost new £75+ got them for £20. Worn once, must have been on carpet, as they looked brand new. Both top brands.

Also, if you don't want to pay postage, or to drive for miles, change the sort criteria to 'nearest first' and choose how far you're prepared to go.

Can't beat it!