So eBays a good judging ground huh?

[Rick H]

I read with interest the thread about certain people using ebay as a judging ground to determine prices on rare parts. If that is the case then what about the $1400-$2000 837 alternators people are selling on this and other sites. Obviously after tracking these and other 837 alternator auctions, ebay is NOT the place to get prices for those parts. In my opinion those advertising here know they can't get the ridiculous prices on ebay and someone on here will bite.

Here are a couple of recent alternator auctions. And yes I did bid on both auctions.

Alternator #1 $454

Alternator #2 $660

Now take these two 1970 jack cover auctions. Again ebay is good place to set a value??? I don't think so.

Jack Cover #1

Jack Cover #2

The difference in price range is amazing.

Have a nice day.

Rick H.

[nuch_ss396]

Actually Rick, the difference in price range is that amazing at all.

It depends on a number of factors. One, the timing. As you
know, timing is everything. Second, the other bidders. I
have seen far too many auctions go for rediculous prices
because two or three bidders really wanted that particular
item at that particular time. Then, an identical item shows up
on eBay and doesn't command nearly the same price. Why?

I had this situation with some '69 Camaro SS hood drain tubes.
The first set sold for almost $200.00 , then the second set
didn't clear $50.00 - go figure!

[Rick H]

Steve,
Timing and wanting the item are why I don't consider ebay a good judging ground. Just because 2-3 people want the same item doesn't set the norm. That just means a couple of egos are going to war over a certain part. It's just a matter of one or two of these people not wanting the other to have it at any cost. In the end it comes down to the cost to get the item, not the value of it.

Just my opinion.

Rick H.

[Xplantdad]

But isn't that the whole idea of an auction? Sometimes you get great deals...sometimes not.

[Rick H]

[ QUOTE ]
But isn't that the whole idea of an auction? Sometimes you get great deals...sometimes not.

[/ QUOTE ]

That is very true but does it set the value? I for one say no.

Rick H.

[resto4u]

It depends on if sellers friend is helping bid the price up. If i see the slightest thing strange in the bidder history, i wil not bid. I go with my gut, you lose some and you win some. Roger

[mnyenko]

Sellers watch ebay for items that set new highs. You will often see an increase in supply the following weeks. The high price is usually not met the second time around. If you keep watching. You will find a few good deals on ebay. Earl

[Rick H]

[ QUOTE ]
It depends on if sellers friend is helping bid the price up.

[/ QUOTE ] EXACTLY! Another great reason why ebay is NOT the place to set values.

Get your buddys to bid it so it looks like it's worth a ton of money and the undeucated will bite at the end.

A smart buyer will be able to tell right away that things are not on the up and up.

Rick H.

[nuch_ss396]

[ QUOTE ]
Steve,
Timing and wanting the item are why I don't consider ebay a good judging ground. Just because 2-3 people want the same item doesn't set the norm. That just means a couple of egos are going to war over a certain part. It's just a matter of one or two of these people not wanting the other to have it at any cost. In the end it comes down to the cost to get the item, not the value of it.

Just my opinion.

Rick H.

[/ QUOTE ]

Rick,

You are absolutely correct about the eBay egos getting in the way.

We could banter back-and-forth on this forever and it
wouldn't change the fact that it isn't "us" I'm worried
about, it's all the others! Just go to any swap meet
these days ( what's a swap meet? ) and see how
the prices mimic eBay. I've had bonehead sellers tell me
that they saw the same item on eBay recently and it sold
for "X" number of dollars, so that is the price they want
as well. When you try to reason with them, you end up
wanting to poke your own eyes out...

I guess what I am saying is that whether we like it or not,
eBay is setting the prices for the most parts.

Steve

[Rick H]

[ QUOTE ]
I've had bonehead sellers tell me
that they saw the same item on eBay recently and it sold
for "X" number of dollars, so that is the price they want
as well.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's funny I run into these same clowns. Problem is when I go to ebay and look, I can never find the part they are referencing.
Ever notice that it always the ones with 4 or 5 items that are over priced?

You're right the swap meets are getting just as bad.

Rick H.