Peoples' Mentality

@candy111 (240)
Philippines
August 26, 2007 12:28pm CST
I'm curios, is there something known as ebay mentality? What do I mean by this. for example, happened to me several times, lets say a portable dvd player which started at 99c. Along the days it went up all the way to able $52 (which was my last bid) A few others kept on bidding, and in the end the winning amount was $67. But, the person has a buy it now option for the same exact item at $55, hence why I stopped trying to outbid people because it would cost me less by buying it directly. Another incident, a friend of mine posted a lancel watch at roughly a lit lower price of $20, After two weels of posting it, none were buying, so we decided to take a risk on ebay, with no reserve and we decided to post ot that way, and it ended up selling for over $200. Haven't you also noticed that there are some postings where the price is fixed at a buy it now option, yet no takers, while everyone else is fighting over the same item? Hence my question, is the reason that people go to ebay for the intent purpose of finding collector items or its the thrill of winning an auction?
1 person likes this
2 responses
wiccania
@wiccania (3360)
• United States
27 Aug 07
Everyone has a different reason for bidding on ebay. Myself, If I'm bidding on something that has a buy it now, I'll often do a little below the BIN price, because I"m not gong to pay more than that. Even if I lose it If I really really need it, I'll just do buy it now. If it's something that I'd like to have but don't need, I try to get it at as low a price as possible.
redfang
@redfang (967)
•
26 Aug 07
I think it's a bit of both really people love to grab a bargin but they also like the thrill of the chase. I too have seen what you are describing. I used to deal alot in a certain modern collectable ( now not worth the pop it's made of ) and sometimes i would put up auctions and they would go higher than the buy it nows i had listed for the same items. I think it just depends on how many people see that auction and how many of them have the sense to check the sellers other items to see if the seller has the same item up for sale in a different format. The thing with putting up the watch for sale and then putting it up for auction and it selling is wicked and great for the seller. Ebay is a funny place i must admit.