Date: Fri, 5 Apr 2002 20:27:53 -0700
Reply-To: Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Subject: Re: 115HP wasserboxer on Ebay
Time for my semi-annual sermon on auctions.
When you purchase an item at auction (eBay or bank repo or county surplus),
you are taking a chance. You know going into the deal that the widget
you're bidding on might not me exactly as the seller described it. You have
to arm yourself with as much knowledge as you can. Know what you're buying,
and know as much about the seller as you can. Also, know yourself.
If you think that the widget you're bidding on only comes in one size and
you're wrong, you have no one to blame but yourself if it does not fit
(unless, of course, the seller promised that it would, indeed, fit). If you
think that it will fit on your 1992 Blatzmobile, but it was for a 1943, who
are you gonna blame? Right; yourself.
Did you look up the sellers feedback rating? Did you follow through and
verify what nice things others have said about him? (they have dealt with
him - they know) I go so far as to look up what he was selling/buying when
he received any negative feedback and then look up the ratings of his
detractors, too (some folks are just a**holes and their feedback is
worthless - you get a feel for it). Not very important if I'm buying a
shirt, but very important if I'm considering plunking down three or four (or
ten or twelve) grand on a vehicle. There is a wealth of information on
those selling on eBay. You just need to take the time to find it.
If you're an optimist, you shouldn't be buying in auctions. Only rarely is
an item better than described.
If you cannot set a purchase price limit for yourself, you have no business
in auctions. When you see that really cool purple widget that you just know
is gonna finish off the appearance group on the ol' Blatz, and you know it's
worth about $75, but the price has gone to $175 plus shipping, are you the
guy who breaks down and bids $202.17 just to a) have the widget, and b)
really piss off the guy who was audacious enough to try to outbid you? You
guessed it - you shouldn't be buying at auction.
Auctions are a great venue for buying stuff cheap. The biggest trick is to
set a price that you know is good for you (this include a buffer for the
possibility that that tranny is just a shell with no gears inside!) Then,
stick with that price. If it goes higher, walk away and wait for another -
there'll be one.
I've been dealing with auctions for twenty years. I've gotten burned a
couple or three times. Every time I didn't pay attention to my own rules.
I don't blame the a**hole who sold me that tranny without gears. I blame
myself for not doing like they say at railroad crossings - stop; look;
listen.
Karl Wolz
----- Original Message -----
From: "Edward Maglott" <emaglott@BUNCOMBE.MAIN.NC.US>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, April 05, 2002 6:01 PM
Subject: Re: 115HP wasserboxer on Ebay
> At 4/5/02 01:32 PM, you wrote:
> >Anybody ever bought a Vanagon or any Vehicle on Ebay where the seller
> >wasn't lying about something?
>
>
> My boss just picked up a Land Rover for $17,000 on ebay and was very
> satisfied. Said it was better than the seller stated.
>
> Edward
>
