I use to post my 18 X 24 paintings on ebay to make money when I didn't have a job. I had this great big plan, because I saw that other artists were doing it too, and thought I had figured out a way to do it myself. (I charged $30.00 shipping, btw, which usually barely covered the packaging and the shipping costs, not to mention the cost of my time trying to "make" better fitting boxes for the paintings. I wasn't raking *anything* in on shipping, but usually eating shipping and packaging costs.) Unlike many of the other categories, fine art is such an oversaturated category and the starting bids are usually high enough, that to list a painting without a $20.00 special feature upgrade would ensure the painting would never be seen by anyone but me. Consider both of those factors plus materials (canvas, paint, medium, brushes) and add in the fact that the average bargain shopper is going to pay as little as he/she can for whatever I am selling, and it makes for very little in profit. So little, in fact, that I ended up owing ebay several hundred in the end, since many of the paintings never sold. And trust me, it isn't even about whether the art is good or not...its whether someone out there that wants to spend $80.00 on my labor has a couch that happens to match. My point? Buying on Ebay is a good idea for some items but not for others just as selling on Ebay is a better idea for some items than others. Those more expensive items will change, in time, as the Ebay market becomes saturated with them from all the schmoes who decide to buy it retail and sell it on Ebay ("That guy can do it, so I should do it, too!"). Fine art has progressively become less expensive, while other items with higher demand have become more expensive.

Aren't free market economies a bitch rkz?

I don't really understand the problem? If it's cheaper on half.com , then shop there. The few times I've looked at half, the items have been of inferior quality. Of course Ebay does not have the bargains it used to -everyone knows about it now! Everyone wants that bargain, and on an auction site when lots of people want it.....

And yes, some people are really stupid. And yes it's irritating when really stupid people with too much money screw up your bargains. But that's life. Ebay isn't dead, it's just a little more QVC/HSN than it used to be. So are Flea markets. They evolved (so to speak). (Maybe backwards). Something else will evolve for the real bargain hunters.

As for the sellers with low prices and ridiculous s&h charges? I like them. They keep the eejits busy while I snap up my real bargain :D

Read much?

I used to be an ebay addict - it was like going to garage sales without all the obnoxious old women. :)
It seems to be more of a storefront thing now, which is OK, but I can't help but reminisce about the good ol days. oh god I'm getting old....

I use ebay now for finding things that I wouldn't be able to find elsewhere - antiques, oddities & the like. Sometimes I get really bored and browse around to find the weirdest sh*t that is listed.
Some of my favorites were a stick that had been chewed on by a beaver, and a sasquatch face made from a deer's butt.

And it is still good for that now, and that alone.

Enough to know that what's happening on ebay is just another example of a free market economy in action.

OT.

I've no idea what OT means.

Off-topic. RKZ just wants us to accept his complaint as rational and sane, and commiserate with him about how the world is always changing for the worse. He's a grumpy old man, not that he doesn't have reason to be.

Maybe I am still a little drunk...

Maybe I could be banned for a week or so? I need a break...I love the cellar just too goddamned much...

I think now would be the time to shut up.

Who you telling to shut up?

You, you little prick.

Alright.

Yes well you could be drunk grant. Right now I'm wondering if you're not a bit insane also.

rkz, how is my answer to your thread off topic? It's very much on topic. Do you disagree that ebay is not just another company allowing people to be charged whatever they're willing to pay?

Just because you don't like something doesn't mean it's not true.

I can only comment on eBay UK, but I have read the original post. Promise.

eBay is still great for secondhand clothes and shoes. The lovely leopardskin kitten heels I am wearing RIGHT NOW cost me all of £1.25. Shipping was £3.50.

The top and skirt I am wearing are also from eBay - bought too long ago to check the exact price, but a fraction of the cost of buying it in store.

I bought my cat carriers from eBay and saved about £10 on the retail price, without having to walk to the store or carry them home. I saved about £7 on the online price too, and was able to pay using postal orders rather than a credit card (which I don't have).

The shop I work in trades on eBay. We ship a fair amount of items internationally and our postage costs are based solely on the cost to us. Our Buy It Now prices are pitched just below the retail price in order to sell, there is no point in heavily discounting items we can sell in our shop when we have to pay fees anyway. Our end of line stock is sold by auction, and customers can get amazing bargains this way - baby bedding that retailed at up to £40 can sell for £0.99 depending on whether anyone else is bidding. I groan in pain when I see beautiful designer bedding with only one bid, but that's the joy & pain of eBay.

I still love it.

(Quick advert - we're selling off our MAM bottles at the moment)

Way way way OT...

But SG- I'm loving my P&T Jogger!!

P&T - best thing to come out of NZ since Neil Finn :)

ebay will keep chugging along because there is so many people that don't know exactly what they are paying, or even consider S&H.

There are vast multitude of people that shop at walmart, secure in the knowledge that everything they buy is as cheap as they can get it anywhere. Consumer Reports says walmart is middle of the road on things like electronics and appliances, but those devotees are sure they are shopping smart.

The big buzz was ebay is so cheap. Now vast hoards of people will shop ebay, secure they are shopping smart, even though they never compare what they are paying to other sources. There's too many people that just use credits card to buy everything and never know the total, their spouse writes a check for, or even see the bill.

There will always be enough stupid people to keep ebay chugging along, without the people that really are getting bargains. :rolleyes: