Ebay Auction Site

RAFPOL · Post by **RAFPOL** » Wed May 23, 2007 9:37 pm

It would be interesting to hear of experiences on Ebay. At one time I would be very critical but I have had some good "hits" recently and have added some very nice cards to my collection. I wonder what effects, if any, these on line auctions will have on fairs.
"John Boy"

Moonraker · Post by **Moonraker** » Thu May 24, 2007 6:34 pm

RAFPOL wrote: It would be interesting to hear of experiences on Ebay. At one time I would be very critical but I have had some good "hits" recently and have added some very nice cards to my collection. I wonder what effects, if any, these on line auctions will have on fairs.
"John Boy"

There's been some discussion on the recent "postcard dealer" thread. I'm a fan and have had almost 150 transactions, mostly as a buyer, but also a seller of duplicate PCs. One postcard, sold by a quite well-known dealer, never arrived, and another was misleadingly described (but cost me only £4).

Prices do vary compared with those asked at PC fairs. Now and then, a couple of bidders go at it hammer and tongs, resulting in a very high price, but I do pick up some bargains. (I've just won one card for £9.99 + £1 p & p; it was worth more than that, and indeed had a price of £15 pencilled on the back.) Averaging out, I probably pay what I would at fairs, even allowing for p & p. But then I've saved on travel costs and time.

When I go to fairs I'm now more likely to buy a better version of a card I already have, or one I'm not too sure that I have, because I can always offer on eBay anything that turns out to be unwanted.

Moonraker

RAFPOL · Post by **RAFPOL** » Thu May 24, 2007 7:39 pm

I think at the end of the day, if you are happy with a particular transaction on ebay, all well and good. Fortunately, cards on my subject of comics are not too expensive but I do get a little upset when I win a card for say £1.00 and find that I am paying an additional £1.00 or £1.50 for postage.
"John Boy"

Andrew · Post by **Andrew** » Fri May 25, 2007 12:09 pm

I collect postcards of British castles, and there always seems to be a good number of them available on e-Bay (currently got a set of three for £1.99 + P&P). I don't think many people buy these, which is reflected in the prices - and the fact that so many of them are listed time and again.

My collection is so big that it is becoming well nigh impossible to find ones I don't already have. I still go to the fairs, because you never know what you might find. I don't think e-Bay will ever replace the fairs.

As for the dealers on e-Bay, I've never been disappointed yet.

RAFPOL · Post by **RAFPOL** » Fri May 25, 2007 10:15 pm

Hi Andrew! If your castles collection is getting so that it is difficult to locate ones that you don't have, suggest you add another subject! How about comics? Then that will make two of us !!!!!!!!
"John Boy"

Andrew · Post by **Andrew** » Tue May 29, 2007 11:32 am

Not sure whether my wife's patience would stand up to that.

It's not just postcards I collect, but also old prints, old photos and books on British castles. As a contrast, I try and collect modern pictures of the castles too, as a comparison.

When I really can't find anything new, there's always other castles in the world to turn to before branching out on a completely new subject.

RAFPOL · Post by **RAFPOL** » Tue May 29, 2007 8:14 pm

Yes, I suppose you are right Andrew, to each his own I say, just trying to drum up some exchanges, excuse my exhuberance! I have so many comics for exchange and no one to exchange with. Yes I know, I can hear the violins playing from here !!!!
"John Boy"

Moonraker · Post by **Moonraker** » Tue May 29, 2007 9:43 pm

A couple of dozen very interesting cards are currently on offer on eBay, spread over three nights. Some of them would almost complete a series I've been building up over the years; several I didn't know existed. I shall be bidding up to four times "postcard-fair" prices for most of them. Mad? More money than sense?

With a bit of luck, other bidders may be prepared to go up to double "postcard-fair" prices before dropping out - in which case I shall be delighted. If I'm pushed to the limit, so be it. If I'm outbid, then it will be by someone crazier than I. But the chances of more than three or four of these cards coming my way again are remote.

Whatever, it looks as if the vendor is going to do very nicely!

Moonraker

RAFPOL · Post by **RAFPOL** » Wed May 30, 2007 11:47 am

Four times the fair price? Wow! More money than sense you suggest? I'm glad you said it but can't help agreeing with that! I limit my bids and will not go beyond that. It can be argued that if you want a particular card bad enough, then you should be prepared to up the stakes a little, but where does it stop? At one time I made the mistake of bidding for a comic card and thought that I had over extended myself and was happy to see several bidders go on and upwards. Crazy hobby at times eh?

"John Boy"

RAFPOL · Post by **RAFPOL** » Wed May 30, 2007 11:48 am

Incidently Moonraker, what is your particular subject?

"John Boy"

Moonraker · Post by **Moonraker** » Wed May 30, 2007 2:21 pm

RAFPOL wrote: Incidently Moonraker, what is your particular subject?

"John Boy"

"Military Wiltshire 1897-1920". (OK I know it sounds like the specialist subject in Mastermind.)

Moonraker

kevinramsdale · Post by **kevinramsdale** » Wed May 30, 2007 6:42 pm

Moonraker wrote: One postcard, sold by a quite well-known dealer, never arrived .........

Sadly, being a well known dealer counts for nothing with the Royal Mail - or do you suspect it was never sent?

Moonraker · Post by **Moonraker** » Wed May 30, 2007 8:36 pm

kevinramsdale wrote:
Moonraker wrote: One postcard, sold by a quite well-known dealer, never arrived .........
Sadly, being a well known dealer counts for nothing with the Royal Mail - or do you suspect it was never sent?

The implication I sought to make was that his being a well-known dealer made me think it more likely that he had sent it. Had (s)he been a private vendor, especially one with a low feedback total, I might have been sceptical. I accept that letters do go astray. It has been suggested to me that this is more likely if the letter looks interesting (ie a packet) and if it is routed via London (as this one probably was).

Moonraker

RAFPOL · Post by **RAFPOL** » Wed May 30, 2007 11:11 pm

Doesn,t exactly instill confidence in the postal system does it. I send and receive material on a regular basis to Athens and have done for quite a few years now. Up until now I have been most fortunate not to have had any packages etc. go astray. It makes you wonder though, where do all those undelivered packages end up?
"John Boy"

kevinramsdale · Post by **kevinramsdale** » Wed May 30, 2007 11:12 pm

Which brings to mind the most irritating phrase on Ebay "I cannot be held responsible for items lost in the post" (or similar statements)

I understand that this is downright illegal for a business seller (sale of goods act) and extremely questionable for anyone else.

In any other area of commerce this would not be acceptable.

postcard.co.uk

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