Overpriced

[bsal6160]

Has anyone else noticed how items on Ebay appear to be getting more expensive these days. I think a lot of sellers now have an over-inflated sense of value of the items they are trying to sell. Its almost at the point where its cheaper, if not the same price, to buy it from a main stream shop nowadays.

[countessalmirena]

@jamesjunior00,

I'm not sure if you noticed just how old this thread is! It was started in 2012 - seven years ago - although it had a bit of a revival last year... If you feel like venting because prices aren't low enough for you, then I suppose it's at least an appropriate thread.

Sellers are, of course, free to set whatever price they wish to set. Items won't sell at the listed price unless there's a buyer willing to pay the asking price or negotiated price. You cannot - well, none of us can - tell a seller at what price they should list their items. You've come up with a basic formula - 1/3 of the retail price - but that's not some sort of rule set in stone. Some secondhand items are actually worth more s/h than they were when new; some things become collectible and gain in value due to rarity and revived interest and other factors.

Perhaps you need to rethink your views on prices...? Spanner owners are just as entitled to set whatever price they want as any other seller.

If secondhand tools are listed at a price that you consider too high, don't buy them. The seller isn't able to force you to buy, either... just as you cannot force any seller to list or sell an item at a price that you think is appropriate.

You may find that you have better luck buying secondhand tools in auctions, or as part of a deceased estate, or garage sales. Try Facebook groups. Perhaps it's even worth your deciding to buy new tools instead of secondhand tools, if you feel that s/h tools are not being made available to you at a price that you consider fair. Just remember that your view of what the item's worth is is not necessarily the only view, and that every seller has the right to set whatever price they wish.

[springyzone]

Countess is right. If it is second hand tools you are after, make a list of garage sales either in your area or out of your area a bit into where there are acreages, and do the rounds on Saturday mornings for a while.

I used to do that many years ago and I was often amazed at how few younger people went to garage sales and also at what young people were potentially missing out on.

Sure, some sellers were overpriced but just as on ebay,  if no one buys, that eventually sends a message. But other places, especially small farm like holdings, will often have tools and other goods going at reasonable prices.

Worth a try.

[chameleon54]

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@jamesjunior00 wrote:

I look for secondhand tools and the prices sellers are asking for are just lplain stupid.  What's with everyone calling their old and tired **bleep** 'vintage'- do you think the buyer is stupid?  Every man and his dog are using the word vintage when your item is not vintage it is just seccondhand.  People are selling spanners for $40 each and calling the spanner vintage when it is just old.  Things that are secondhand should typically sell for 1/3 of the price of a new item, but the vast majority of sellers are selling tools for 70% of the price I can buy a new one for.  Why the hell would I risk buying a used and possibly abused cordless drill that could be faulty or on it's last legs to save $20 or $30??  Do sellers think we are stupid???  I'm over Ebay and it's not worth my time. 

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@bsal6160 wrote:

Has anyone else noticed how items on Ebay appear to be getting more expensive these days. I think a lot of sellers now have an over-inflated sense of value of the items they are trying to sell. Its almost at the point where its cheaper, if not the same price, to buy it from a main stream shop nowadays.

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 What's with everyone calling their old and tired **bleep** 'vintage'- do you think the buyer is stupid?

I,m not sure if you are stupid or not, but you are certainly out of touch. "Vintage " spanners are a highly collectable field with the markings and brand dictating price. Some more common, small ones may only be worth $10-$20, ( ie. snail brand, equip etc. )but the rarer ones can regularly sell for a lot more. I sell vintage spanners and regulary recieve $30-$40 for small spanners with rare markings.

Many people incluing myself also shun new spanners to actually use in favour of those made in the 1960,s and 70,s. Quality old brands such as Dufor, Gedore and Sidchrome often use much higher quality, precision tool grade steel than many of the spanners currently sold. Once you have a full set of quality 1970,s spanners you will never roll the edges of your bolts because of worn spanners or have to replace the tool because of stretching or breakage..

Early Sidchrome stuff is actually hot property with tool catalogues from the 1960,s and 70,s sometimes being worth $50-$100 and old Australian made, Sidchrome tool boxes also being highly sought after and valuable. I think it is probably because Sidchrome was Australia's pre emminent tool maker when Australia still had a manufacturing industry. And if you think Sidchrome stuff is dear, dont even think about looking at vintage Litchfield specialised tools. ( regularly $50-$150 per tool )

People are selling spanners for $40 each and calling the spanner vintage when it is just old. 

If you think people listing old spanners for $40 and calling them vintage is bad, you probably wont want to know that the most expensive spanner I have sold went for $125 plus post, plus customs fees to a collector in the U.S. It was only small, but was around 150 years old, hand made and stamped with a rare, vintage farm machinery makers stamp.

 Do sellers think we are stupid??? 

Based on the above, I,ll keep my opinions to myself and leave that for others to decide...........

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[springyzone]

Ouch ouch ouch.

We had a cardboard box full of dad's old tools. man at a garage sale asked us how much and we said $10. He handed us $8 and walked away, saying, that's all I have. No-would you take $8. Just walked off.

No idea what brands they were but I'd say they were all from 1950s-1980s.

So james junior definitely needs to do the garage sale circuit.

[chameleon54]

Like everything collectable its all about the markings and rarity, but to get some idea of old spanner collectability it is worth doing an advanced search for sold items " Sidchrome catalogue ". Its a bit eye popping for the uninitiated. James has done me one big favour though. I had an unusual spanner I new nothing about. As a result of his post I searched sold items for " vintage spanner " and found two that had sold. The cheapest was $150..........Now Where did I put It ...?    .

[chameleon54]

new / knew oops, on the sidchrome catalogues though, one 1960,s item sold as a BIN for  $35 and right below it an identical item in poorer condition sold at auction after 23 bids for $140.50.....Ouch Ouch Ouch......

It highlights that auctions still have a place on ebay for the rare stuff at least.

[countessalmirena]

[video]

[1004tutelar_8]

Hi

I have become more cautios as many items are selling much cheaper in the local shops.

For example, I have bought Glen20 from one of ebay seller for $15 and it took almost a week to receive however I have found that my local Woolworths is selling for $8 only.

I advised the seller and request to send me the difference but the seller is asking to return with 'the original condition'.

They are not fair and is anyone know how I can discuss this matter with ebay?

Many thanks.

[padi*0409]

It's up to you to do research into an item BEFORE you buy it, not ask a seller for a partial refund because you've found the item cheaper somewhere else.

Returning it to the seller would count as a "change of mind return" so yes you would be expected to return in original condition at your own cost to receive a refund of your original purchase price and postage.

As always, Caveat Emptor.

[maranock]

Not only can a seller sell for the price they want to, and if you didn't do your research on prices beforehand then it is your bad luck, but did you take into account that the seller would have had to add the cost of postage to the item (assuming in this case) the item was $15 delivered so it really cost the same. Even if the cost was double it is a bit rich to want a refund of the difference when you were happy with the price to buy it.