I love EBay...I hate EBay...

[trikebubble]

I missed out on a Kawy Ltd. Edition solo seat by $2.50 on EBay auction today, darnit.
I couldn't be around for the final hour of the auction, so I set my max. bid but alas someone obvioulsy had their eye on it.
Would have looked so sweet on my bike. I geuss it was just not meant to be.
It went for $207.50 Oh well, back to the drawing board.

[Chuckster]

I know what you mean. I hate it that you missed out. I just got an Ebay package in the mail today. Kind of made me sick though. I had bid and won the auction on two brand new mufflers for my 2001 Vulcan 1500 Classic. I mean these were brand spanking new. The previous owner of my bike had slightly scuffed the bottom of the lower pipe near the end and I found these and I thought I would just replace the ones on the bike for the price. I got both with shipping for $41.00. Great deal but when I opened the box today, the top pipe had three nice dents in it complements of DHL delivery. Fortunately, the lower pipe which is the one I really wanted to replace was intact and unharmed. Still bummed me out. Sad to see a brand new set of pipes with dents.

[Xgenn]

same story but with gas tanks 2 i repeat 2 bids got away from me i was bidding and at the last 45 seconds there auto bidder kicks in and out bids me every time i up my bids i was so mad cause imma paint my own tank but i want 2 tanks to play with so if i mess up i still have a full tank to run lol.....

[Spok]

I used to buy & sell quite frequently on ebay but in recent years have not done so. it has become so hard to win an auction these days, with bots running many bids for folks its hard to get in to win unless your willing to pay near full retail for many used items.

when i was an ebay-ite, the mrs and i were using for our collection of antique dishes. I did use the buy it now feature to get my willie and max saddle bags and my travel bag.

[Constrictor]

No flames intended to anyone who has posted in here, but I've heard that complaint about people sniping their bid on ebay from many people.

The thing is, it is an auction. The whole point of an auction is to put in the MAXIMUM you are willing to pay. The way ebay works is, it will only bid you up to the point where you outbid the next highest bidder. If something is currently selling for $10. And someone else set their maximum bid to $20 and you set your maximum bid to $30, then it will only raise the auction to $21, so that you are the highest bidder.

However, if you set your maximum bid to $30 and someone is willing to spend more than that, then it will outbid you.

I see no reason for people to have a right to complain. Whether it happened in the middle of the auction, or 2 seconds before it ended. The fact is, someone was willing to pay more than you were. If you really wanted it that bad, ya shoulda bid higher.

I don't want to come off like I'm talking down to anyone, but thats just how it works. I dont understand why people think thats unfair??

[bikeaholic]

i agree,some folks don't understand the concept of a auction,the same thing can happen in a live auction,seen it many times.your high bidder,think you have it made and in the closing minutes you LOOSE

if you want it bid as much as you'll pay and if you lose no hurt feelings

[rwrighter]

Constrictor, I don't read the above posts saying the that ebay is unfair, and I do understand what you are saying too...But IMO we all try to get the best deal on a purchase, and on ebay we might not put in a higher bid and hope we don't get out bid. I don't complain about it, but sometimes disappointed.

[Constrictor]

Constrictor, I don't read the above posts saying the that ebay is unfair, and I do understand what you are saying too...But IMO we all try to get the best deal on a purchase, and on ebay we might not put in a higher bid and hope we don't get out bid. I don't complain about it, but sometimes disappointed.

I can certainly understand disappointment, but I've heard people in the past downright bash ebay because people outbid them. I think thats just silly!

I am in a similar position now. There is an old Disney movie from 1978 that has been out of print since 1987 that I want called Child of Glass and although VHS copies do turn up on ebay, I refuse to pay the prices people are paying for it. I guess I'll just have to wait for it to come on DVD!

[cudaosix]

I refuse to pay the prices people are paying for it. I guess I'll just have to wait for it to come on DVD!

The buy it now prices on some things on ebay are insane! I just saw a NOS KZ1000 centerstand for $120 Thats alot for a centerstand folks. I bought mine for $30 without a scratch on it and I probably could have found it for less.

[BigJohn]

To be outbid on e-bay is frustrating. But, it isn't illegal nor is is immoral. Our emotions get the best of us and we get frustrated....

Just this past month I lost two auctions for Cobra chrome drive shaft covers...out bid at the last minute. But, I'd bid my max on both and someone was willing to pay more. Found an auction for a Kawasaki chrome cover later, bid on it and got it.

Now I'm just waiting for the bling to come....sholud be here today....more chrome, it's all about the chrome....

[trikebubble]

You guys are a tough crew. I was just expressing a little disappointment in not getting the seat, tah's all. I am a big boy and understand the concept of an auction, and next time I will likely be able to hang around for the final close and bump up my bid as I see fit.

Now, I am going to take away your guys hockey cards that you have pinned to your spokes. Boo-hoo.

[bikeaholic]

man,i loved that sound as a kid

[trikebubble]

man,i loved that sound as a kid

The only problem was that as a kid you didn't realize the importance of keeping that Wayne Gretzky rookie card in good shape. Danmit.

[Scruffy]

E-pay is evil. I get customers in all the time trying to sell me some piece of junk they bought off the bay. Tanks that are rotted through or severely dented, mis-labeled vintage parts, torn soft goods. Etc, ad nauseum. Caveat emptor...

And then people want us to drop our prices to match e-bay prices. Hello, ever heard of overhead? Or instant gratification. Your "deal" still needs shipping and time lag added to the cost. It's like buying from JC Whitney, and not expecting to get ripped off once the shipping and handling fees are added, plus the time loss of sending your parts back 4 or 5 times until you actually get what you ordered.

I'll shut up now.
-Scruffy

[Xlr8n]

I missed out on a Kawy Ltd. Edition solo seat by $2.50 on EBay auction today, darnit.
I couldn't be around for the final hour of the auction, so I set my max. bid but alas someone obvioulsy had their eye on it.
Would have looked so sweet on my bike. I geuss it was just not meant to be.
It went for $207.50 Oh well, back to the drawing board.

I had my eye on that same seat, but quickly realized it was going to go for more than I wanted to spend. I guess the sentiments people are expressing here basically boils down to the fact that the days of getting a great deal on a popular item on ebay are nearly over. Still a much needed source for hard to find stuff though.

[bikeaholic]

well put

[cudaosix]

This message should have been a PM so I'm correcting it. sorry for that one everybody.

[tomdenise]

As a big time ebayer, I agree it's frustrating to get outbid at the last second by $1... but I also agree on the max bid concept that ebay uses.

But, something I think they should implement, is a system similar to what stealitback.com has done. Whenever a bid is placed, 10 minutes is added to the end time of the auction, no matter how much time is left. That's how a real auction works... everyone has a chance to bid again or let it go.

[redpony]

don't look at it as only losing by 2.25 the winning bidder mite of went way past that point for his/her price. i do find it amazing how much stuff goes for at times, first there is no warranty (a lot of companies will not honor if not sold by authorized dealer) even if it is BRAND NEW, what makes me wonder is, when i lose out to someone w/0 or 1 rating and have been a member for over 5yrs, all at once they go online and will spend close to retail to get an iteam? like they say if it looks and sounds like a duck, it's probally a duck!

[flynsouth]

The only way to solve this is for everyone to stop bidding for Kawasaki parts on Ebay. I'll volunteer to track things for you and let everyone know when it's safe to return.