Michael, I will pm you a separate question that Orvet said you may be able to help me with.
As for the bayE sellers, I find the way they answer questions or if their descriptions have more conditions and disclaimers than details on the auction item, a good indicator of whether they be worth the effort if a dispute did come up. When things go perfect, most anybody looks good. But how they address a problem or answer a question can be quite telling.
When sending a question, it is a good idea to remember it may be posted as an amendment to the auction for all the world to read.
If I'm not sure about a seller for whatever reason, low # of sales, innaccurate or overly brief descrips, but I'm interested in their item, a test question sometimes is helpful. As mentioned, many have "standard ground freight" (or whatever that generic term is) $8.50 and they never mention what you get for your $8.50. SO I may send ?? asking which type of freight is included for $8.50, priority with delivery confirmation or parcel post or other? Sometimes a nice response comes back, sometimes a curt short abrupt answer, and sometimes NO answer. The seller that says it is for priority with DC and they also insure all items is preferable to the one that says Read the description, S&h is $8.50 (nonanswer-50pts).
Or of they only have one side pictured, a request for a pic of the other side and the second pic is posted on auction, usually a good sign.
Also if they do have some neutral or neg feedbacks if and how they responded to it is revealing. Some just point out the facts, I did this, it didn't work, sorry. Others scold the poster, or call them names.
One thing about bayE if you pass on an item, another will be along directly, week or two at the most. kinda like catching a train.
Another theory is if you get beat out of an item, maybe it is fate watching out for you because another you like better and selling at a less high traffic time is due into the station in a few days.
in this instance Michael, this guy's problem may be Control. He will lower his price when he wants to, it's HIS auction, not some bidder trying to PULL a FAST ONE! I think some people sell on ebay because they do NOT have to deal with people, or even know how to.
Just a few observations I've made on this apparently not uncommon problem of boneheads on BayE lol.
I also try to pad my questions lightly if they may be taken wrongway otherwise. Particularly when you are asking for a drop in their price.
Last week I found a 25th Anniversary 034 (more on 034 SA in next post if you WANT to find one) loose with no box seller had at $49.95 and looking at his other auctions, it was one of two knives mixed in with lots of other various stuff. packrat seller, not a cutlery seller. So I sent my ?? asking what condition was the knife since hard for me to tell from the pic. But from marks on blade it appeared used a little. Then I ASKEd if it didn't sell by end of auction (1hr) would he consider doing a buy it now for $24 +S&H?
I got busy, lost track of time and it had already closed by time I checked. It didn't sell 7 I had a message. From him, said "that will be fine". Went to watch list, clicked on ended auction to click his other items and BAM there it was a BIN for $24. With 3 views already!! lol So I slammed that door and everyone is happy. Instead of saying "I'll give you $25 instead of $50" I asked if he would consider $24 plus shipping? That way they still have control and it is not quite as an afront to their honor or whatever. An old store owner once told me he refused any offer like "I'll give ya $40 for it" or "I can go as high as $40" since he didn't like folks telling him what his stuff was worth. On the other hand if someone asked is this the best you can do on the price? or any discount for cash? these types of inquiries didn't trip his Heck No meter. Funny how so many years later that lesson on tradin from Mr. Gene Shaw still stays in my head, rest his soul.
Sorry didn't mean to ramble on so. guess answer to the question is, yep think we all met some boneheads and some good'uns on BayE (&elsewhere!). Good luck to all on their knife searches wherever they may lead.
