You have got to love eBay

eBay has to be the epitome of capitalism. You can find almost anything there, from things as obscure as a rare movie to some kind of rare collectible. It is also really useful for finding those everyday kinds of things. Last night DS2 cames to me and tells me that he lost a game for their Gameboys (the boys share their games) and wanted me to pick one up for him. With our upcoming calender pretty packed I jumped on eBay, compared prices, placed my bid and walla, it will be arriving in probably about a week. I even compared prices for retial (saved about $10!). I didn't even have to leave the comfort of my own home. What makes eBay so capitalistic is that the seller can charge whatever price they feel the market will bare, for a fee of both the starting bid and the final bid. Oh, and don't forget if you use their banking system (better known as PayPal) - there's one more fee. Then, as long as there is a buyer out there willing to place a bid on your item, you can sell it for whatever they are willing to pay for it! I have been a member of eBay since 1998 (I can't believe it's been that long either) and thus far still have a rating below 200. I just don't use it all that often - but it's nice to browse every once in a while. I have even used it to make the occasional sale myself. Once, I was getting interested in a game called Net Runner. I wanted to just pick up a few decks to play with my son, but I kept being out bid on all the auctions. (It's best to stick to your guns instead of going crazy and say "I-just-HAVE-to-HAVE-it!".) Well, out of the blue I get an e-mail (or message through eBay) from a guy who recently bought a kite shop. He wanted to know if I would be interested in buying out his entire stock - something like ten complete cases, plus a few odds and ends. The downside... he wanted $230 for the lot. SOLD! Although my beloved was not very happy (you spent $200 on what!), I sold only seven of the cases and broke even - on eBay of course. Both the seller and the buyer have to be careful though. As a buyer, check out the rating/reputation of the seller. Make sure this is not some one who has been getting bad ratings. If you are a seller, make sure that you require payment up front. For me that extra fee that gets chopped off the top of my sale is worth it. As a matter of fact PayPal is great from both ends of the sale. The biggest thing for me... be patient. Know how much I am willing to spend up front. Compare sellers, the lowest "Pay Now" price may not be the one to go with. Be willing to walk away. You will pay way too much if you get overly excited about something. As a seller I am completely honest about the condition of the item I am selling. Maybe to the point of being overly critical. I always insist on the buyer using PayPal, or a certified Money Order - and either way, the item does not ship until payment as cleared. For me PayPal has been great. I even use it as a sort of savings account because it gives better interest than my local bank. If you are not into yard sales, and you have a reasonable idea of what it will cost to ship various items, eBay is the way to go! P.S. before I go I have to share my latest piece of flair over on Facebook. I felt that it really spoke to me: Verse for today: Psalm 31 : 1-5, ESV In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me! Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me!

For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me; you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.

eBay, Capitalism's ultimate example

I have heard that anyone who sells things will sell their wares at the highest price that the market will bear. That is they will charge as much as they can for whatever they are selling. The only limitations that are placed on them is what their potential customers are willing to pay. eBay has to be the pentultimate example of this at work. I mean, where else would it be possible to see a used toilet plunger for sale!?! Has anyone else been "sniped" on eBay? You know what I'm talking about... you have found the perfect little gizmo, and it's reasonably priced at $19.99 too! You carefully place your bid and then wait for the auction to end, only to have someone come in at the 11th hour (and 59th minute) to outbid you, leaving you no chance to up your bid to some rediculous amount! I have been sniped, the sniper, and the wonderful recepient (being the occasional seller) of such a tactic. You can find almost anything on eBay. Has there been a movie that you just have to have, but for some reason all other retail outlets (you know, places like Suncoast or other outragously priced "brick & mortar" retailer) have been sold out for week? Look on eBay - chances are someone, somewhere, is selling it. But you have to be careful. Not all items are the real deal. Some are pirated movies, or are plain and simply not what you think they are. But if you are willing to be diligent in your research, careful in what you bid on, and willing to be patient - even to the point of being outbid time and time again - you can find some real gems. I remember once being "cold called" (via e-mail) about several cases of an out of print collectable card game (CCG for short). It was from a guy who recently bought an old kite shop, inventory and all, and had found them. All he wanted was $120.00 for the whole lot. I was reluctant, but in the end took him up on the offer. eBay helped me sell off most of cards, keeping just enough to have a game to try and play with DS1, and I still made a lot of money (ok, like $30 - but I could have made more if I was willing to sell them all). I have also found the occasional rare item that nobody else is really interested in, but for some reason I was. I highly encourage anyone who would like to bid on things... to be patient. Set the price in your mind that you are comfortable in paying, and then walk away of/when the bid out paces you. Be patient, wait until it comes up again - and it usually will. If you are always being outbid, re-evaluate what it's worth to you - but never, never, never allow youself get caught up in the "I have to have it!" mentality. I've done that... and it really hurts in the old pocketbook. :) Verse for today: Luke, 12:15-21, ESV And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”