Are there people really stupid enough to buy from some sellers on Ebay?

robert · 03-14-2016, 04:11 PM

Was looking for a 70mm limited on ebay. I saw several listed new for over $500 and one over $688.
Are there really people that stupid that they would pay way over retail for photographic equipment?

**jatrax** · 03-14-2016, 04:21 PM

Since they have been listing like that for as long as I can remember, I guess so.

Used to be a seller that listed everything as 'minty' prices were about 3 times the going rate. But he apparently sold stuff.

a5m · 03-14-2016, 04:34 PM

They might be catering to international buyers. But I wonder the same thing when I see such high prices.

Ikarus · 03-14-2016, 04:39 PM

Posting listings is free on Ebay, so it doesn't hurt to try. I suppose sometimes it might actually work, but if you count on being able to actually sell the thing, it wouldn't be a smart move.

**MJSfoto1956** · 03-14-2016, 04:44 PM

for big sellers, it costs them nothing to post several ads for the same item @ slightly different price points with slightly different descriptions on the off-chance that "someone" will occasionally make a purchase. And if there are no nibbles, they can always "move" an item. But I believe that in most of these cases they don't even have the product on hand at all -- if needed they can purchase the item at discount and mark it up. Who knows? SMH

M

**ramseybuckeye** · 03-14-2016, 06:30 PM

That's always baffled me, but so has the fact that an old lens alone may cost $50, but if you buy it attached to a camera you may get it for $25 with a camera attached as a rear lens cap.

6BQ5 · 03-14-2016, 06:45 PM

Some people may also lots of eBay Bucks and gift cards to redeem that aren't transferable as cash.

**From1980** · 03-14-2016, 06:59 PM

When I look for something on eBay I do see unrealistically high priced items but comparisons show up too. So I've also wondered if a person who has priced their item twice as high as several others anyone can see actually expects to sell it.

**luftfluss** · 03-14-2016, 07:18 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by From1980

When I look for something on eBay I do see unrealistically high priced items but comparisons show up too. So I've also wondered if a person who has priced their item twice as high as several others anyone can see actually expects to sell it.

It's a good ploy when one's Significant Smother insists that you sell some equipment... post it on Ebay at an inflated price and let it safely languish, and you have proof that you are indeed trying to sell it.

Fenwoodian · 03-14-2016, 07:27 PM

I'm always amazed by the sellers who are selling an inexpensive item (e.g. $40) and grossly overcharge (e.g. $60) for shipping!

Driline · 03-14-2016, 08:45 PM

Originally posted by robert

Was looking for a 70mm limited on ebay. I saw several listed new for over $500 and one over $688.
Are there really people that stupid that they would pay way over retail for photographic equipment?

The Price in Europe for a 70mm is $641 US dollars at SRS Microsystems online store. They pay twice or more what we pay in the United States. Seems everything is overpriced in Europe. Sucks to be them.....

It's so bad over there that when my brother comes to visit me in Iowa from London, he brings an empty suitcase and fills if full of new clothes. He'd move back here but unfortunately his wife won't leave

MadMathMind · 03-14-2016, 09:20 PM

They may not have the item in question. Sometimes they will set the price way up to a price that no one will pay because it's out of stock and they don't want to deactivate the listing.

**Alex645** · 03-14-2016, 11:05 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Driline

The Price in Europe for a 70mm is $641 US dollars at SRS Microsystems online store. They pay twice or more what we pay in the United States. Seems everything is overpriced in Europe. Sucks to be them.....

(

Yes, when I lived in Europe for 4 years, the price of everything was higher but my income was proportionately higher than in the US. I started teaching adjunct at Art Center(Europe) College of Design and my beginning salary was triple what Art Center paid at that time to Adjunct Professors at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena.

In the US, at the time, to make ends meet, both my wife and I would've had to work and struggle, and the idea of raising a child was not affordable. In Europe I was able to support my wife while she was a stay at home mother and sculptor. Those early years for the kids were precious.

Lots of unions, taxes, high minimum wage, tons of vacation time, etc, all of which drives up the price of everything, but the quality of life and the income to support the local economy. We weren't rich, but with things like universal health care, we had what we needed with public transportation, great food, culture, and a real joie de vivre.

But I'm a US citizen, and even if you're legally in the country, you're an alien and even the best of hosts tire of their guests when you begin to strive for more success than a native.

silver_dragon · 03-14-2016, 11:08 PM

My theory on whacky high pricing is to catch the sort of people that think everything on Ebay is cheaper than other online retailers or B&M stores.

Sure alot of the cheap Chinese stuff like phone cases, screen protectors etc appear to cost peanuts compared to B&M and other online stores. But thats about as far as it goes in my experience when buying new stuff

honey bo bo · 03-15-2016, 05:25 AM

I just had a good experience selling on eBay (First time ever). Just sold 4 X K1000 that were headed to the Land Fill. Auction price $50 -$65 USD all went with one bidder each time; took about a month as well I had A Tamron AF 28-200 $65 surplus to my needs that went. Had them running on Market place fixed price at the same time. Got 3 tire kickers in the month thats all. eBay fees about $50 CND total. I charged $20-$25 shipping for all approx. my cost.

The buyers all seemed to be Users rather than re-sellers.

03-14-2016, 04:11 PM	#1
robert Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: ohio Posts: 336	Are there people really stupid enough to buy from some sellers on Ebay? Was looking for a 70mm limited on ebay. I saw several listed new for over $500 and one over $688. Are there really people that stupid that they would pay way over retail for photographic equipment?

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03-14-2016, 04:21 PM	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Since they have been listing like that for as long as I can remember, I guess so. Used to be a seller that listed everything as 'minty' prices were about 3 times the going rate. But he apparently sold stuff.

03-14-2016, 04:34 PM	#3
a5m Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 576	They might be catering to international buyers. But I wonder the same thing when I see such high prices.

03-14-2016, 04:39 PM	#4
Ikarus Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: California Photos: Albums Posts: 484	Posting listings is free on Ebay, so it doesn't hurt to try. I suppose sometimes it might actually work, but if you count on being able to actually sell the thing, it wouldn't be a smart move.

03-14-2016, 04:44 PM	#5
MJSfoto1956 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Boston Posts: 1,305	for big sellers, it costs them nothing to post several ads for the same item @ slightly different price points with slightly different descriptions on the off-chance that "someone" will occasionally make a purchase. And if there are no nibbles, they can always "move" an item. But I believe that in most of these cases they don't even have the product on hand at all -- if needed they can purchase the item at discount and mark it up. Who knows? SMH M

03-14-2016, 06:30 PM	#6
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,291	That's always baffled me, but so has the fact that an old lens alone may cost $50, but if you buy it attached to a camera you may get it for $25 with a camera attached as a rear lens cap.

03-14-2016, 06:45 PM	#7
6BQ5 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,348	Some people may also lots of eBay Bucks and gift cards to redeem that aren't transferable as cash.

03-14-2016, 06:59 PM	#8
From1980 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Essex, Ontario Posts: 682	When I look for something on eBay I do see unrealistically high priced items but comparisons show up too. So I've also wondered if a person who has priced their item twice as high as several others anyone can see actually expects to sell it.

03-14-2016, 07:18 PM - 1 Like	#9
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	Originally posted by From1980 When I look for something on eBay I do see unrealistically high priced items but comparisons show up too. So I've also wondered if a person who has priced their item twice as high as several others anyone can see actually expects to sell it. It's a good ploy when one's Significant Smother insists that you sell some equipment... post it on Ebay at an inflated price and let it safely languish, and you have proof that you are indeed trying to sell it.

03-14-2016, 07:27 PM	#10
Fenwoodian Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,874	I'm always amazed by the sellers who are selling an inexpensive item (e.g. $40) and grossly overcharge (e.g. $60) for shipping!

03-14-2016, 08:45 PM	#11
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,695	Originally posted by robert Was looking for a 70mm limited on ebay. I saw several listed new for over $500 and one over $688. Are there really people that stupid that they would pay way over retail for photographic equipment? The Price in Europe for a 70mm is $641 US dollars at SRS Microsystems online store. They pay twice or more what we pay in the United States. Seems everything is overpriced in Europe. Sucks to be them..... It's so bad over there that when my brother comes to visit me in Iowa from London, he brings an empty suitcase and fills if full of new clothes. He'd move back here but unfortunately his wife won't leave

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03-14-2016, 09:20 PM	#12
MadMathMind Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Houston, TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,717	They may not have the item in question. Sometimes they will set the price way up to a price that no one will pay because it's out of stock and they don't want to deactivate the listing.

03-14-2016, 11:05 PM - 1 Like	#13
Alex645 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Kaneohe, HI Photos: Albums Posts: 3,526	Originally posted by Driline The Price in Europe for a 70mm is $641 US dollars at SRS Microsystems online store. They pay twice or more what we pay in the United States. Seems everything is overpriced in Europe. Sucks to be them..... ( Yes, when I lived in Europe for 4 years, the price of everything was higher but my income was proportionately higher than in the US. I started teaching adjunct at Art Center(Europe) College of Design and my beginning salary was triple what Art Center paid at that time to Adjunct Professors at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. In the US, at the time, to make ends meet, both my wife and I would've had to work and struggle, and the idea of raising a child was not affordable. In Europe I was able to support my wife while she was a stay at home mother and sculptor. Those early years for the kids were precious. Lots of unions, taxes, high minimum wage, tons of vacation time, etc, all of which drives up the price of everything, but the quality of life and the income to support the local economy. We weren't rich, but with things like universal health care, we had what we needed with public transportation, great food, culture, and a real joie de vivre. But I'm a US citizen, and even if you're legally in the country, you're an alien and even the best of hosts tire of their guests when you begin to strive for more success than a native.

03-14-2016, 11:08 PM	#14
silver_dragon Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 69	My theory on whacky high pricing is to catch the sort of people that think everything on Ebay is cheaper than other online retailers or B&M stores. Sure alot of the cheap Chinese stuff like phone cases, screen protectors etc appear to cost peanuts compared to B&M and other online stores. But thats about as far as it goes in my experience when buying new stuff

03-15-2016, 05:25 AM	#15
honey bo bo Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 768	I just had a good experience selling on eBay (First time ever). Just sold 4 X K1000 that were headed to the Land Fill. Auction price $50 -$65 USD all went with one bidder each time; took about a month as well I had A Tamron AF 28-200 $65 surplus to my needs that went. Had them running on Market place fixed price at the same time. Got 3 tire kickers in the month thats all. eBay fees about $50 CND total. I charged $20-$25 shipping for all approx. my cost. The buyers all seemed to be Users rather than re-sellers.