Over-priced items

[janni0844]

I thought eBay was a way to buy "bargain" items.

I just searched for an item and the cheapest was $100 plus postage.

Deals Direct supply the same item for $89.95 postage free.

Impressed?  Don't think so

[bsal6160]

Have to agree with 1sweetap6v8 . Seems we can all make some sort of excuse as to why ebay sellers charge more. Now how many threads are there about the drop in sales lately??? Lets all blame ebay for one reason or another rather than looking at the actual reason....the sellers asking price. As a buyer I don't care about your fees/FVF or anything else, just what can I buy it for. And yes, i will ALWAYS buy from the cheapest seller whether it be here in Australia or overseas and most of the time its from overseas.

[arnl7178]

A seller can offer whatever price they like for an item. But at the end of the day, it's only worth what someone is willing to pay.

Do some sellers over price items? Sure.

Do some buyers over pay? Yep.

But it's all a choice. If you can get a better deal elsewhere, go for it. I would too.

[wishuponastarcelebrationsandgifts]

Sellers should stop offering excuses as to why they have the audacity to think they have a right to set their own selling prices and not price match with overseas competitors.

They should start lobbying the government to ask why they are subsidising postage for items from overseas, insist the government impose GST on all imports, and abolish minimum wages and conditions for Australian workers so they can be brought into line with those in China etc. These changes may induce more sellers to reduce their prices. Not sure how effective it would be given the drop in disposable income but why not give it a try....

[motherbear2003]

I don't overprice anything, imo; my prices are set according to the cost of raw materials, a small percentage of my time to make the item, my profit margin (which has to cover ebay and PayPal fees, packing materials, etc. etc. etc.  If an item doesn't sell I delete it from my range:-)  I don't try and compete with anyone on price, however I do offer fast and friendly after sales service even in the unlikely event of a problem, items are posted as quickly as they can be made up, and it's always service with a smile:-D

[wishuponastarcelebrationsandgifts]

I don't overprice anything, imo; my prices are set according to the cost of raw materials, a small percentage of my time to make the item, my profit margin (which has to cover ebay and PayPal fees, packing materials, etc. etc. etc.  If an item doesn't sell I delete it from my range:-)  I don't try and compete with anyone on price, however I do offer fast and friendly after sales service even in the unlikely event of a problem, items are posted as quickly as they can be made up, and it's always service with a smile:-D

Well said motherbear. I think you have summed up what most good sellers such as yourself try to do.

[extra-keen]

Yes Motherbear! you said it just how it is for the vast majority of us sellers.

I for one don't worry about competing price wise because it isn't possible. I concentrate on offering good old fashioned service (with a smile). My prices are based on the overall costs which include things like fees and charges, postage, packaging materials etc.

And yes my website is considerably cheaper than ebay just simply because the fees and charges are less, thus allowing lower prices. Simple really!

[the_hawk*]

Caveat emptor

Never assume anything.

[janni0844]

I feel I have opened Pandora's box here!  Sorry, I didn't mean to upset anyone. 

I should specifiy here that the sellers "seem to be" (because I am not sure) some sort of store (not a private seller) because they have a number of that particular item for sale and have the "buy now for" option. 

So I am presuming (shouldn't do that I know) they are opportunists buying (possibly from Deals Director or similar) and trying to sell at a profit.

Not illegal at all, but a true pitfall for people believing eBay has the "best deals".  I guess I had higher expectations.

That's all I was trying to say 🙂

[wishuponastarcelebrationsandgifts]

I feel I have opened Pandora's box here!  Sorry, I didn't mean to upset anyone. 

I should specifiy here that the sellers "seem to be" (because I am not sure) some sort of store (not a private seller) because they have a number of that particular item for sale and have the "buy now for" option. 

So I am presuming (shouldn't do that I know) they are opportunists buying (possibly from Deals Director or similar) and trying to sell at a profit.

Not illegal at all, but a true pitfall for people believing eBay has the "best deals".  I guess I had higher expectations.

That's all I was trying to say 🙂

I am not sure what you mean by "opportunists". I am guessing you mean some people buy items from retailers at what they consider to be a bargain price, and try to resell for a profit on ebay. Some sellers would certainly do this.

Speaking for myself, I have an online business (website) and buy my stock from genuine wholesalers/importers/distributors that only sell to registered business'. I have an ABN, pay GST and tax. I don't buy from anyone such as deals sites that sell to the public.

Ebay is a melting pot of all sorts of sellers. Some people sell unwanted items from around the house, others do it because they may have a creative talent and love to make things, others have an interest in vintage items, collectables etc, others use it as another sales channel in addition to their B & M store or website. Some retailers use it to clear out stock. The types of sellers are endless. Given this you may pick up a bargain, or you may find an item is priced higher than it is elsewhere.

As has been mentioned for the retailers that sell here the competition (particularly from overseas sellers) is fierce. Many of us simply cannot compete on price. Compare the postage charges from an overseas seller to a local one for the same item and that in itself will show you that local sellers are at a distinct and significant disadvantage on postage costs alone.

[davewil1964]

I take exception to your assumption that you can get a bargain on eBay. This assumes that there are mug sellers out there who will sell for less than value.

If you want to take advantage of mugs that is your prerogative. But if you can't find mugs, that is hardly a reason to complain.

Unless you make a habit of taking advantage of people.