Re: Strategies for Buying Test Equipment off Ebay

On Sat, 27 Oct 2007 02:12:25 -0700, Robert Baer
<robertbaer@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

D from BC wrote:

Here's a few observations I've been thinking about when buying test
equipment off Ebay..

1) Not only am I bidding against people that actually want to use the
test equipment but I'm also bidding against used equipment resellers
buying test equipment to resell (on Ebay)!!??
Lets say somebody might not care about the money selling item X.. The
seller creates a starting bid of $100.00..Then a used equipment buyer
blows away everybody with a $1000.00 bid and then sells it back on
ebay parked forever at $1500.00 until a sucker comes along!!

2) Bidding soon may attract other buyers...Bidding late and there's a
risk of losing the bid.

3) I suspect UPS still has the highest brokerage rates. Using the USPS
is cheaper.

4) I seem to dodge used equipment resellers. They know their sh*t and
can appraise for optimum profit. They may even fish with ridiculous
prices on depreciated and used items. It's a profit game.
You get what you pay for.

5) I suspect the best prices are from those that don't care too much
about money and would just like a new home for they're cherished
oscilloscope. Unlike the sharks from the used equipment shops.

6) Not to bash the used equipment shops too much, they are calibrating
and testing. They also have the capability to scrap units for parts to
restore other units.
Ironically, their prices are useful to roughly guess at the savings
you get by buying from somebody else.

7) I suspect better prices are from those that are selling due to
upgrading, moving, company closure, gave up electronics, demo units
and let's not forget the possibility of stolen goods.

8) On occasion, some sellers (junk buyers) haven't a clue what they
have and just sell at a stupid price.. That's the best. Especially
when wise used test equipment buyers are too fat with mountains of
equipment and can't force the bid high.

Comments? Additions? Arguments? Observations?
Experiences?


D from BC
Not related to strategy, but:
1) If you are buying, the seller might opt out and refuse to send the
unit as well as refuse to respond; e-bay does not care.
2) If you are a seller, the winner might decide you are charging too
much, giving lies like the unit weighs one-tenth of actual and the
shipping is one fifth of actual (at any weight) - and so refuse to pay
anything; again e-bay does not care.
3) If the advertized items are obviously and provably stolen, e-bay does
not care.
4) It is a fact that all e-bay cares about is money.
"Contract"? There is none when e-bay is involved.

Oh bummer ...so no whining to Ebay when the sh*t hits the fan... :(

So..someday I might see this on Ebay

HOT! HOT! HOT! INFINIUM DIGITIAL OSCILLOSCOPE
Some coke razer marks on top.
What a steal!
Buy it now! $200.00!

It seems like this....
Ebay acts like a connector between buyer and seller..What happens
after that connection is between buyer and seller. Ebay doesn't want
to get involved in that mess unless it causes severe negative media.


D from BC
.

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