eBay. Is it worth it?
by Phil Cooper
Well yes, it is if you use it properly and have a plan. Towards the end of this Blog, I’m going to tell you how to get a bargain, every time, just by using a plan that I’m going to tell you about.
But first, be careful using this addictive website. It’s a very clever website which inspires users to buy and do so in a competitive manner. The first things that buyers need to consider are:
- Do you really want the model you are trying to buy? I’ve realised too late that I didn’t need the item I’ve just paid for! For instance, I once bought some DMU “shells” thinking they were real, completed DMUs. I simply misread the advert. Then there is the HO/OO problem. HO and OO track are the same BUT if you buy an HO locomotive it will be much smaller than the other OO locomotives on your track. In fact, it will look stupid. HO and OO have the same gauges (the wheels and axles on the tracks are the same width).
- Does the item you want have photos? Check the photographic evidence. What’s the condition of the item? Do the photos confirm the seller’s description? For locomotives & Running Stock check that the item has wheels? Are they clean? Does it have the correct coupling? Can you see the coupling on the photos? Is there a photo of the underside of the loco? Do the photos appear to be out of focus?
- Be very careful of any item for sale which doesn’t have a thorough description.
- Your understanding of “good runner” and “works well in both directions” may well be different from the seller’s understanding. Ask specific questions. Keep a copy of your questions and his answers. eBay offers that facility. Use it.
- You can return most purchases that you’re not happy with. Sellers can state that they will not accept any returns. Frankly, I would be very wary of any items that will not be accepted.
- As a courtesy, contact the seller from within the eBay website to tell him your purchase has arrived. Do not make any comments about the state of your purchase until you have ensured it works well.
- Take the opportunity within the site to give feedback on your purchase. This helps other potential buyers to make a decision on whether to buy or not.
- eBay favours Paypal as a credit supplier. Remember you’re paying interest on your purchase. As with usual credit cards try to pay off your balance and interest as soon as possible.
- When you are considering a purchase stick to your top price. Watching the clock run down to zero can “force” you to go above your limit. Don’t go above that limit. Remember items for sale are being added every minute so that loco you missed out will soon be up for sale again.
- Keep a record of all correspondence with your seller. You can save all correspondence in the eBay website, and you can receive copies of all correspondence in your own eMail inbox.
- Before you buy that special limited-edition locomotive practise your buying tactics. Below I describe my tactics. They have worked every time. I’m amazed that eBay haven’t amended this loophole. I’m sure they will eventually amend it when they realise, they are losing money.
- You can monitor all the items you are interested in by adding them to your Watch List. When you are looking through your list, I suggest you set the “Finishing Soonest” criteria.
- Don’t get drawn in by the rapidly decreasing time left to make your purchase. Stay calm and stick to my action plan below. It works and it will save you money if you do it correctly.
So, there you are at your laptop looking through what’s on offer. Let’s say you’ve found a Class 37 which you like. We’ll assume it’s the loco you really want. If you look at the individual item you will see the countdown clock running down. We’ll assume the current offer is £120 and you are willing to spend up to £150. The clock is telling you that the auction will end in 3 minutes. Now your heart is beating. Suddenly you find that you really want this 37. The description and photos add to your desire to own this beautiful very popular locomotive. You MUST have it. You’re even seeing it on your layout. Nothing is going to stop you. Nobody will beat you to this prize.
Here comes the killer information which, if done correctly, will win you that beautiful Class 37. Check the bids that have been made.You see the bids are increasing by a few pounds by each buyer. Don’t be fooled by a bid that is very low. Depending on the popularity of the model those bids will rise quickly. Recently I noticed that there was a procession of Class 68 locomotives up for auction. Early bids were made, and they were stupid money. I’m talking£4.50 for a loco which would set you back about £200 in a shop or in Amazon. So, ignore these low bids. DO NOT make your bid when the bids are crazy (low) money. The only time to bid is in the dying seconds. Any other bid will just raise the final cost This is why you should regularly check your Watch List. Many auctions will be live for several days. Keep your head, be patient. You must make your bid as closely as possible to the very end. I usually wait until the last 2 minutes, and I watch more and more bids come in. Of course, that just adds to the final cost. So now there are 2 minutes to go. The winning bid is £120 but now, with seconds to go, the bids have gone up to £140, very close to your limit. There is now 1 minute to go. Don’t bid yet. You have to finally set your limit. Stick to your original limit. eBay is addictive especially if you’re very competitive, like me! I have to force myself to maintain discipline. This model will soon be back on auction.
You’ll see the clock is running down in seconds now and it appears to have speeded up. Whoever designed eBay is very clever. But you’re about to make your kill. You might want to practise this tactic I’m about to share with you with some low-priced stuff. Wait until 10 seconds to go. I’m assuming you have a good Broadband speed. With 10 seconds on the clock calmly type in your price but go well above your limit. I’m talking about putting in a bid of £200. This is THE THING. Remember the highest bid was at £140 but now you’ve made a crazy bid of £200. Aaarrrghhhhhhhhhhhhh so much for discipline! Before I go any further, I’ll tell you now that eBay will ask you to confirm your bid taking a few more seconds. Any opponent is thinking madly but slowly. He’s in a panic. Stay calm and confirm your bid by retyping £200 and confirm it. Bidding this late will normally cut out any higher bid and as the countdown runs, you’ll see a graphic that “You are Winning the Bid”. You’re almost there.
Yes, I know we’ve lost our discipline and your bid is way above your limit. BUT, the first thing that will happen is anybody thinking about outbidding you will have a think about how high he can go, using up yet more seconds. Now, do stop whining that I’ve just cost you £200. Trust me. You see eBay will accept your bid of £200 but will only charge you a couple of pounds above the previous highest bid which was? Are we paying attention? Yes, well done the previous highest bid was £140 so you will be charged about £142! A KILL. Stick that swastika on the side of your Spitfire. Let off the fireworks. You’re a winner. All you’ve got to work out is how high you go to kill the opposition. But you’re not going to pay that much.. Because you’re a Premiership striker, a lethal weapon, the best looking, most stylish guy in the country. James Bond? Down Daniel, I’m HERE now.
It was through eBay I found tracksidesigns.co.uk. They have a very good website. OK this blog appears on their site but it’s a fantastic organisation and they’ve obviously got good taste! They offer equipment on “O”, “OO” and “N” scales so something for everyone. Spend some time on their website to discover a cornucopia of accessories to enhance your layout. My particular favourites are their station names. They offer custom made stations which is lucky for me because I have 2 stations on my layout one a terminus “Harrison City” – my wonderful grandson and a branch line leading to a small station, “Danidza Junction” – my nephew’s daughter in Australia. I’ve found that it’s the little things that provide atmosphere to layouts. Their website is full of useful ideas and suggestions. Their blogs are very tasteful too. Get yourselves down onto tracksidesigns.co.uk and let your imagination go wild.
All you’ve got to work out is how high you go to kill the opposition. But you’re not going to pay that. Because you’re a Premiership striker, a lethal weapon, the best looking, most stylish guy in the country. James Bond? Down Daniel, I’m HERE now
STOP PRESS I now have a second grandson, Nate Thorp. I think it’s a pretty cool name. But I’ve got to find a new place on my board for “Nate City”.
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The views and opinions expressed within the content are solely the author's and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of Trackside Signs or its affiliates.
