I have to disagree with the bid early and often strategy. By bidding early, you are tipping off other bidders that there is competition. The only time to bid is in the last few seconds. It is at that moment you can decide the max you’re willing to pay and take other bidders by surprise. Bidding early and often only serves to drive up the price. You might lose. You might win. But it’s on your terms.
I agree that what you describe is the *best* strategy. Bid your true price as close to the end of the auction as possible. But most people don't like to play that way. I was explaining why bidding the way people actually like to bid isn't really much different than bidding the best way. It's not as good, but *it is only slightly less good*. If people enjoy bidding early and often, most of the time that's not going to affect the outcome significantly, and the point of collecting is to have fun, whatever fun means to you.
Love you dearly but promoting eBay tirelessly is tedious. Also your ABAA membership card is out of date.. just sayin'... You were recently quoted as justification for a collector buying on eBay knowing the item was probably stolen! I tell my customers who brag about their eBay finds, "good luck reselling when the dealer or auction house requires proof of purchase a.k.a. provenance"...
* You were recently quoted as justification for a collector buying on eBay knowing the item was probably stolen!
I'm tempted to say, "Well as long as they are talking about me..." but anyone who uses anything I've ever written to justify buying stolen merchandise has misunderstood me. Srsly, I've probably busted more book thieves by now than even Ken Sanders. And as much as a cesspool as eBay can be, I've lost far more money buying misdescribed, non-returnable items from major auction houses than I ever have on eBay.
I don't think that's the point actually! You skate around the fundamental issue. Major auction houses, even minor ones, allow viewing and will respond to questions about provenance etc. In 50+ years I have once had a significant issue (with Christie's) where their description cited a reference book, got it wrong, and refused to accept a return. eBay? Good luck.
I'm not looking to shill for eBay here, but even if an eBay seller doesn't accept returns, items can still be returned for a refund if they aren't as described in the listing. Most items are covered under eBay's money back guarantee which guarantees accurate descriptions. The seller may contest it, but if there's a real problem eBay will usually allow the return. This is the inverse of real auction houses, which rarely allow returns.
I mentioned this example recently, but it is applicable here:
Sold by a "real" auction house for $78,000, when the letter is secretarial. If you read the description carefully, it never says it's signed by MLK, but one could come away with that impression.
I have to disagree with the bid early and often strategy. By bidding early, you are tipping off other bidders that there is competition. The only time to bid is in the last few seconds. It is at that moment you can decide the max you’re willing to pay and take other bidders by surprise. Bidding early and often only serves to drive up the price. You might lose. You might win. But it’s on your terms.
I agree that what you describe is the *best* strategy. Bid your true price as close to the end of the auction as possible. But most people don't like to play that way. I was explaining why bidding the way people actually like to bid isn't really much different than bidding the best way. It's not as good, but *it is only slightly less good*. If people enjoy bidding early and often, most of the time that's not going to affect the outcome significantly, and the point of collecting is to have fun, whatever fun means to you.
Love you dearly but promoting eBay tirelessly is tedious. Also your ABAA membership card is out of date.. just sayin'... You were recently quoted as justification for a collector buying on eBay knowing the item was probably stolen! I tell my customers who brag about their eBay finds, "good luck reselling when the dealer or auction house requires proof of purchase a.k.a. provenance"...
* You were recently quoted as justification for a collector buying on eBay knowing the item was probably stolen!
I'm tempted to say, "Well as long as they are talking about me..." but anyone who uses anything I've ever written to justify buying stolen merchandise has misunderstood me. Srsly, I've probably busted more book thieves by now than even Ken Sanders. And as much as a cesspool as eBay can be, I've lost far more money buying misdescribed, non-returnable items from major auction houses than I ever have on eBay.
I don't think that's the point actually! You skate around the fundamental issue. Major auction houses, even minor ones, allow viewing and will respond to questions about provenance etc. In 50+ years I have once had a significant issue (with Christie's) where their description cited a reference book, got it wrong, and refused to accept a return. eBay? Good luck.
I'm not looking to shill for eBay here, but even if an eBay seller doesn't accept returns, items can still be returned for a refund if they aren't as described in the listing. Most items are covered under eBay's money back guarantee which guarantees accurate descriptions. The seller may contest it, but if there's a real problem eBay will usually allow the return. This is the inverse of real auction houses, which rarely allow returns.
I mentioned this example recently, but it is applicable here:
https://www.juliensauctions.com/en/lots/754/tony-bennett-martin-luther-king-jr-typed-letter-signed-on-selma-march
Sold by a "real" auction house for $78,000, when the letter is secretarial. If you read the description carefully, it never says it's signed by MLK, but one could come away with that impression.