Ebay was set up to exploit that "I'm not going to lose this" feeling.
eBay Ukulele War Stories?
- Thread starter Gmontema
- Start date
Ebay was set up to exploit that "I'm not going to lose this" feeling.
YogiTom
Well-known member
While I agree with what you’re saying, again, the judgement I’m reading between the lines in how it is being said really rubs me the wrong way.
Then again, since we’re typing, tone and all that is incredibly hard to “hear”, and I suppose I am being somewhat judgmental about your opinion myself.
I just hate to see normal discussions devolve into these “talking past one another” arguments that this thread seems to have turned into. In the end, we are all aiming to do the same thing on eBay—win what we want at a price we are happy paying—just with our own different methods.
We’ve gone way off track from the OP’s request for our best “bidding battles” or buyer’s remorse stories. Can we please get back to that and off this now somewhat tedious discussion about the “best way to bid”?
Edit: re-reading the OP, it does seem there was a question about the way others bid to avoid being disappointed. That said, I’d still like to see this discussion around the merits of bidding software vs live “emotional” bidding end. We’ve all had our say, and clearly no one is changing their opinion or tune.
Last edited:
The discussion answers the OP's question and would help anyone who would like to have fewer frustrating, disappointing experiences. Some posters have asked questions and they have been answered. If the posting is annoying you, I hope you realize I am not forcing you to read them. Some theories say that people get upset when their "triggers" are hit. Maybe you can ask yourself what "triggers" are being hit here and why they bother you. Everyone is at one time inexperienced, and being human, we all can get "emotional". Emotions are one of the strongest driving forces for us and ebay, as a multi-billion dollar company, has it down to a science how to use our emotions to increase sales. I have never tried to change your method of bidding. You might quite possibly love the thrill of bidding wars. But not everyone does.
Rllink
Well-known member
So just one more question and I'll let it go. Do you think that by doing what you are doing, using your software and holding out until the last seconds to bid, you are saving these uninformed and unsophisticated bidders from suffering angst? Is your point to say that eventually they will realize that bidding is futile for them, therefore they should wisely step aside and quit mucking up the bidding? Because that is kind of what it is sounding like to me. Correct me please if I am wrong.
Last edited:
YogiTom
Well-known member
I don’t think I need to justify thinking that judging others isn’t a great thing to do. And honestly, I’m not “triggered” at all, or feel forced to read your repeated opinions. I’ve done so willingly, and simply want this and other discussions here to stray less into speculating what might motivate others and stick to simply stating one’s own opinion. I just think the judgmental language is unnecessary to effectively state your case, which again I think has been done several times over.
I’ll refrain from continuing to add to this thread of discussion and simply express my hope to see something new next time this thread is updated.
How would my using software for MYSELF save anyone else from anything? It saves me from suffering any angst because if I win, which I normally do, I am happy and if I don't, I don't second guess myself because I bid my max without inviting others to outbid me. I can't remember the last time I experienced the frustration the OP mentioned. I've certainly never bid more than I was comfortable with and later regretted it. I have no desire to get in a bidding war and I never do, though I do bid. It is simply a more pleasurable experience for ME. If ebay was set up in a way that people thought their bidding was futile, it would have gone out of business long ago. Now my question - please explain exactly what I SAID that pointed to that I would consider my using software was capable of saving anyone else from angst? I only said it saves the user angst. AND YOUR words are uninformed and unsophisticated. Mine were inexperienced and unskilled, which EVERY sniper was.
Last edited:
I think Lewis Hamilton was the winning bidder...
The race stewards were bidding for Lewis.
Rllink
Well-known member
I'm just moving on here my friend. We're not going anywhere with this discussion. I'm not even sure we are having the same discussion. Carry on and have a good day.
70sSanO
Well-known member
Back to a few stories. Years ago I bid on an 80’s loaded pickguard for a Strat. I won the auction for a lot more than I bid, except I inadvertently bid $14,700 instead of $147. I contacted the seller and showed him what I did. He contacted the second bidder who accepted the second chance. I offered the difference, but the seller said not to worry about it. Afterwards I realized I was just pushing the bid up.
I’ve had a few auctions where I won at a ridiculously low amount and the seller told me there was supposed to be a reserve. If it is an honest mistake I’ll just ask for a credit back. I usually tell them that they may want to re-consider that $75 reserve on an item I won for $1.04.
On musical instruments I won’t buy unless I can return the item. There are just too many potential issues. When I buy used I expect non-perfection, but “mint” can sometimes be all over the place.
John
I’ve had a few auctions where I won at a ridiculously low amount and the seller told me there was supposed to be a reserve. If it is an honest mistake I’ll just ask for a credit back. I usually tell them that they may want to re-consider that $75 reserve on an item I won for $1.04.
On musical instruments I won’t buy unless I can return the item. There are just too many potential issues. When I buy used I expect non-perfection, but “mint” can sometimes be all over the place.
John
Back when I first joined UU, I had no ukuleles, and did so because I really wanted a preowned Pono baritone uke, and couldn't respond to ads in the marketplace until I joined. With the first two ads I responded to, I "missed it by that much". The second one was a particular letdown. But fortune was smiling on me because a few days later, as I refreshed my eBay search tab which I also kept an eye on, a "buy it now" appeared for the same MBD model, and had just been listed in the past hour. I jumped on it. It was one of those marked 2nds, and cost $300 including an Oahu case, a ukulele stand and shipping. Now, all that was left was the waiting (it was coming from clear across the country)!
The seller said the stand would have to be shipped separately, no big deal, but it came within 2 days via priority mail! Duh? I really didn't care about the stand, and subsequently gave it to a friend. I had to wait another several days for the instrument itself, which came via ground. But when it finally arrived, it did not disappoint! It was clearly one of those instances of "somebody bought a baritone, and then decided it was not their instrument after a very short time". It looked brand new! And to this day, I remain baffled that it was marked a 2nd, as I could never find a flaw on it. And it was love at first sight, and instant bonding as soon as I had it tuned in fifths.
bratsche
The seller said the stand would have to be shipped separately, no big deal, but it came within 2 days via priority mail! Duh? I really didn't care about the stand, and subsequently gave it to a friend. I had to wait another several days for the instrument itself, which came via ground. But when it finally arrived, it did not disappoint! It was clearly one of those instances of "somebody bought a baritone, and then decided it was not their instrument after a very short time". It looked brand new! And to this day, I remain baffled that it was marked a 2nd, as I could never find a flaw on it. And it was love at first sight, and instant bonding as soon as I had it tuned in fifths.
bratsche
OP
OP
Gmontema
Well-known member
Thanks to all who contributed to this thread. After submitting a bid with days to spare and after upping my max bid 3 times before starting this post (basically what all of the pros said not to do) I actually ended up winning the uke that I wanted. I think it’s winning if I ended up below my max bid, right? Anyway, I ended up with. Circa 1935 “Historic Mahogany Pineapple (30's)” described here minus the paint. Kamaka Historic ukulele
I think I lucked out by ending up with this for about $200. It’s rough but it’s a pineapple and it’s cool to think that maybe Sam Kamaka himself made it.
Again, thanks to all who shared their thoughts and stories. You all made for a memorable thread.
Jerryc41
Well-known member
Another consideration is the timing of the end of the auction. If it ends at 2:00 AM, not many people will be around watching it. I've read several times that Sunday is a good ending day, and 6:00 PM west coast time (9:00 PM eastern) is a good time to end it.
YogiTom
Well-known member
Neat! I saw this keep popping up on my eBay “related items” list, and I would’ve joined the fray if I hadn’t found my Nunes soprano. That put a quick stop to my vintage UAS.
That said, a nice pre-war Martin S2 is high on my “to save for” list.
Congrats again! I hope you’ll get it fixed up and restored like the gold label you posted about!
YogiTom
Well-known member
Good tip for the sellers out there. But the whole software auto-bidding thing kind of negates the idea that an auction that ends at an odd time could be more easily won.
Jerryc41
Well-known member
All this eBay talk has forced me to look for ukes on eBay. Bad posters! Bad posters!
There's a nice Kala KA-15 starting at only $29.99. Now all I have to decide is how high to bid, when to bid, and whether or not to use bidding software.
EDIT: I see that Good Will in Seattle is selling on eBay. Clever of them.
There's a nice Kala KA-15 starting at only $29.99. Now all I have to decide is how high to bid, when to bid, and whether or not to use bidding software.
EDIT: I see that Good Will in Seattle is selling on eBay. Clever of them.
YogiTom
Well-known member
GoodWill’s online store is something I’d totally forgotten about...thanks a lot, Jerry!
Ukecaster
Well-known member
YogiTom
Well-known member
:biglaugh:
