[vinzer]

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A black K2 with a 50mm f2 M lens went for $133.50 and a chrome one with a 50mm f1.7 M lens went for $51 and a KX chrome body went for $36. Considering the lens, the Chrome K2 was a good deal.

PENTAX K2 35MM SLR CAMERA-BLACK w/ 50mm LENS & CASE - eBay (item 220339708504 end time Jan-11-09 17:51:08 PST)

PENTAX K2 35MM SLR CAMERA w/ 50mm f/1.7 LENS & CASE - eBay (item 220339705287 end time Jan-11-09 17:42:06 PST)

You seem like someone who's a veteran eBay bidder. I usually lose out on the best deals, probably got sniped at the last minute. What's your advice for someone who almost always loses out like me?

[Blue]

You seem like someone who's a veteran eBay bidder. I usually lose out on the best deals, probably got sniped at the last minute. What's your advice for someone who almost always loses out like me?

I'm not really and expert and have never used a snipe service. If you count everything I've bought and sold over the past 8 years, maybe. I was watching those out of interest. I already have a chrome K2 that is in excellent working conditioned and has been cla. I was watching the black one. I forgot the other one had the M f1.7 on it. I was also just monitoring the KX. The best thing is to guess what you think the person's highest bid is and what you are willing to pay and put that in with 14 seconds to go on the last step. There is always a chance of a last minute group of bids coming in and something going for a ridiculous price. I avoid getting caught up in bidding wars.

[Nesster]

I've found the best eBay attitude is to Not Really Want It but to throw in a bid anyway. Somehow this sometimes works to produce a sweet buy. Often the thing gets bid way past... but the times that doesn't happen, sweeet!

[séamuis]

You seem like someone who's a veteran eBay bidder. I usually lose out on the best deals, probably got sniped at the last minute. What's your advice for someone who almost always loses out like me?

bid.


then bid higher.


then bid higher than the item is likely worth.


then bid higher.


within the last 10 seconds..... bid higher.

[vinzer]

I'm not really and expert and have never used a snipe service. If you count everything I've bought and sold over the past 8 years, maybe. I was watching those out of interest. I already have a chrome K2 that is in excellent working conditioned and has been cla. I was watching the black one. I forgot the other one had the M f1.7 on it. I was also just monitoring the KX. The best thing is to guess what you think the person's highest bid is and what you are willing to pay and put that in with 14 seconds to go on the last step. There is always a chance of a last minute group of bids coming in and something going for a ridiculous price. I avoid getting caught up in bidding wars.

bid.


then bid higher.


then bid higher than the item is likely worth.


then bid higher.


within the last 10 seconds..... bid higher.

Wait it out then until the last few seconds. Kinda tedious, but I guess I'll try that.

I've found the best eBay attitude is to Not Really Want It but to throw in a bid anyway. Somehow this sometimes works to produce a sweet buy. Often the thing gets bid way past... but the times that doesn't happen, sweeet!

Good suggestion. I'll try this too.

[Nick Siebers]

Best Ebay strategy -

Bid once, whatever you think it is worth to you, or that you are willing to pay. Check back after the auction. If you do not win, even if just barely outbid, someone paid too much for it.

You may wish to wait until close to the auction end time to bid, to avoid giving other bidders info.

It helps if you already have too much camera stuff, so that when you lose it really is for the better.

[frank]

Best Ebay strategy -

Bid once, whatever you think it is worth to you, or that you are willing to pay. Check back after the auction. If you do not win, even if just barely outbid, someone paid too much for it.

You may wish to wait until close to the auction end time to bid, to avoid giving other bidders info.

It helps if you already have too much camera stuff, so that when you lose it really is for the better.

To me the best strategy is to use something like auctionsniper , set the highest price you'd like to pay, and let auctionsniper to bid for you in the last seconds. Worked for me several times

Sometimes you can also try you luck w/ some 'best offer' deals. I just won an MX+M50/1.7 combo for $80 (my best offer, which was about 35% lower than the seller's BIN price), hopefully the camera is in good working condition as stated in the ad ...

[stevebrot]

Some strategies that will allow you to keep your shirt and make good deals when bidding on eBay:

• Know your values ahead of time
• Decide ahead of time what you are willing to pay
• Bid once and bid late
• Never make an emotional investment in any item
• If something is rare and you really want one, look for a good "Buy it now"
• "Make an offer" is better than bidding or "Buy it now"
• Be aware of excess shipping charges. Anything more than the actual cost to ship is a service charge and excess cost to you. Many sellers pad the shipping to insure some profit from even a low bid auction. Bid your estimate of value minus the excess shipping.
• Read the fine print regarding returns
• Don't be afraid to ask detailed and specific questions about an item. In fact, ALWAYS ASK DETAILED AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS! If the seller gives a "dumb" or inadequate response, bid low or not at all. A dumb seller is dumb for a reason. What you don't know, you are not liable for. Be doubly wary of descriptions that include the phrase, "I don't know anything about cameras...".
• Somewhat contrary to the previous point...Don't be afraid to bid VERY low on a sketchy item. It is a bit of a gamble, but I got both of my film cameras with attached lenses for less than $50 (not $50 apiece...$50 total).

Steve

[Blue]

To me the best strategy is to use something like auctionsniper , set the highest price you'd like to pay, and let auctionsniper to bid for you in the last seconds. Worked for me several times

Sometimes you can also try you luck w/ some 'best offer' deals. I just won an MX+M50/1.7 combo for $80 (my best offer, which was about 35% lower than the seller's BIN price), hopefully the camera is in good working condition as stated in the ad ...

Considering the lens, you should come out good. You could always have the MX CLA'd by Eric.

[vinzer]

To me the best strategy is to use something like auctionsniper , set the highest price you'd like to pay, and let auctionsniper to bid for you in the last seconds. Worked for me several times

Sometimes you can also try you luck w/ some 'best offer' deals. I just won an MX+M50/1.7 combo for $80 (my best offer, which was about 35% lower than the seller's BIN price), hopefully the camera is in good working condition as stated in the ad ...

Wow, good price! I never tried that Best Offer thing. I usually look at BIN price, then shrug it off if I find it expensive. I'm really not the best guy with haggling. I probably should give it a go.

Some strategies that will allow you to keep your shirt and make good deals when bidding on eBay:

• Know your values ahead of time
• Decide ahead of time what you are willing to pay
• Bid once and bid late
• Never make an emotional investment in any item
• If something is rare and you really want one, look for a good "Buy it now"
• "Make an offer" is better than bidding or "Buy it now"
• Be aware of excess shipping charges. Anything more than the actual cost to ship is a service charge and excess cost to you. Many sellers pad the shipping to insure some profit from even a low bid auction. Bid your estimate of value minus the excess shipping.
• Read the fine print regarding returns
• Don't be afraid to ask detailed and specific questions about an item. In fact, ALWAYS ASK DETAILED AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS! If the seller gives a "dumb" or inadequate response, bid low or not at all. A dumb seller is dumb for a reason. What you don't know, you are not liable for. Be doubly wary of descriptions that include the phrase, "I don't know anything about cameras...".
• Somewhat contrary to the previous point...Don't be afraid to bid VERY low on a sketchy item. It is a bit of a gamble, but I got both of my film cameras with attached lenses for less than $50 (not $50 apiece...$50 total).

Steve

Good points Steve. I'll keep those in mind. I probably won't have a problem with that getting emotional thing. I try to be cheery about things. I actually have barely lost out on a local sale for an MX (my current target) that went for $60 with a 50/1.7 on it recently. I laughed it off.

Best Ebay strategy -

Bid once, whatever you think it is worth to you, or that you are willing to pay. Check back after the auction. If you do not win, even if just barely outbid, someone paid too much for it.

You may wish to wait until close to the auction end time to bid, to avoid giving other bidders info.

It helps if you already have too much camera stuff, so that when you lose it really is for the better.

Noted. About too much camera stuff, well, I'm possibly getting there.