Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Telephone Talk => Auction Talk => Topic started by: ..... on January 18, 2017, 08:49:17 AM

Title: Where do eBay sellers get their selling prices from???
Post by: ..... on January 18, 2017, 08:49:17 AM
$7,000.00 Must be some kind of new technology. The old saying is "old is new again" Will this be the next "new" telephone service equipment? ;)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OLD-TELEPHONE-OPERATOR-SWITCHBOARD/322229158038


Title: Re: Where do eBay sellers get their selling prices from???
Post by: LarryInMichigan on January 18, 2017, 09:37:37 AM
One factor which might be involved in some of these things is a nagging wife who wants her husband to sell/get rid of his switchboard or whatever.  The husband does not really want to part with his possession, so he agrees to try to sell it but sets the price so high that nobody will buy it (and he can tell his wife that he tried to satisfy her demand).

Larry
Title: Re: Where do eBay sellers get their selling prices from???
Post by: Pourme on January 18, 2017, 10:01:58 AM
Quote from: LarryInMichigan on January 18, 2017, 09:37:37 AM
One factor which might be involved in some of these things is a nagging wife who wants here husband to sell/get rid of his switchboard or whatever.  The husband does not really want to part with his possession, so he agrees to try to sell it but sets the price so high that nobody will buy it (and he can tell his wife that he tried to satisfy her demand).

Larry

That could very well explain a good many overpriced phones I see on EBAY each week.
Title: Re: Where do eBay sellers get their selling prices from???
Post by: LarryInMichigan on January 18, 2017, 10:26:31 AM
A similar thing happens with insurance.  When I was shopping around for auto insurance several years ago, a few companies quoted me surreal prices.  I asked one agent if anyone actually buys such policies, and she responded that nobody buys them, but the law prohibits insurers from restricting the areas in which they sell insurance, so they instead set their rates so high for residents of the areas where they do not want to sell policies that no sane person would buy such a policy.

Larry
Title: Re: Where do eBay sellers get their selling prices from???
Post by: andy1702 on January 18, 2017, 12:27:56 PM
I've noticed that US prices for old phones are usually really high compared to prices for similar aged equipment here in the UK. Maybe the US value their history more?

Andy.
Title: Re: Where do eBay sellers get their selling prices from???
Post by: Dan/Panther on January 18, 2017, 12:31:26 PM
Brilliant.... 8)
D/P
Title: Re: Where do eBay sellers get their selling prices from???
Post by: TelePlay on January 18, 2017, 12:39:48 PM
Quote from: andy1702 on January 18, 2017, 12:27:56 PM
I've noticed that US prices for old phones are usually really high compared to prices for similar aged equipment here in the UK. Maybe the US value their history more?

And the highest eBay price for a similar phone is now quite often used by antique store vendors to set the price of their distressed phone at a level that finds the phone sitting on the mall shelf forever. Refurbed prices on a junker is always good for a chuckle.
Title: Re: Where do eBay sellers get their selling prices from???
Post by: andre_janew on January 18, 2017, 04:49:11 PM
I will agree that some sellers may put really high prices on things that they want to keep but must try to sell to keep peace in the family. The problem with that is that sometimes there is a buyer willing to pay that outrageous price.  In that case, they must sell the item at the advertised price.  You never know how much some people are willing to pay for something.
Title: Re: Where do eBay sellers get their selling prices from???
Post by: Pourme on January 18, 2017, 06:15:03 PM
I don't discount the fact that " a fool is born every day"...Some sellers, I believe, both on EBAY and the antique & collectible shops we visit, price some items high and "firm" waiting for the fool and his money to appear. I also know that if asked some will take as low as a third of the dream price when offered, particularly at the local shops. (your mileage may vary)

Benny
Title: Re: Where do eBay sellers get their selling prices from???
Post by: Greg G. on January 18, 2017, 06:32:51 PM
Quote from: andy1702 on January 18, 2017, 12:27:56 PM
I've noticed that US prices for old phones are usually really high compared to prices for similar aged equipment here in the UK. Maybe the US value their history more?

Andy.

Where are you looking?  Maybe I've just been lucky, but a large portion of my collection I bought for dirt cheap from Craigslist.  I've seen some good buys on ebay, but not when I factor in the price (and risk) of shipping.
Title: Re: Where do eBay sellers get their selling prices from???
Post by: Babybearjs on January 18, 2017, 11:00:12 PM
you know one this is that Ebay has that pricing calculator....(if you want to call it that) it show the same thing that's currently online and the prices for it.... so the dummy whos posting there item follows that price range and it never sells. then there the antique dealers.....and they just want top dollar for everything..... and of course the fool who thinks he has gold when its not....and then there are people who will sell you something and include the shipping charge in the price.....and still show a shipping charge.....unless they actually include Free Shipping.....in that case, the switchboard would be worth 7k.... to have it crated up and freighted out..... whats that cost now a days????
Title: Re: Where do eBay sellers get their selling prices from???
Post by: andy1702 on January 19, 2017, 11:16:05 AM
Quote from: Brinybay on January 18, 2017, 06:32:51 PM
Where are you looking?  Maybe I've just been lucky, but a large portion of my collection I bought for dirt cheap from Craigslist.  I've seen some good buys on ebay, but not when I factor in the price (and risk) of shipping.

Well, here for a start. I often see peole saying they paid like $75 for a phone and it needs restoring, which to me is expensive. I'd be expecting it fully restored and fully working for that. Absolute top price for a fully working early candlestick, complete with bell box and fully restored over here would be £120 as a genuine price at a commercial antiques centre. Of course there are one or two people who try to get more, but their stuff never sells or sells to some idiot who didn't do their homework.

My general rule is I never go above £15 for a phone and always aim for unde £10. At the end of the day most are pulse dialling, so have very little or no value to the general population.

Andy.
Title: Re: Where do eBay sellers get their selling prices from???
Post by: 19and41 on January 19, 2017, 03:55:30 PM
Quote from: andy1702 on January 18, 2017, 12:27:56 PM
I've noticed that US prices for old phones are usually really high compared to prices for similar aged equipment here in the UK. Maybe the US value their history more?

Andy.

We do, as we don't have as much of it.   ;D
Title: Re: Where do eBay sellers get their selling prices from???
Post by: twocvbloke on January 19, 2017, 04:01:33 PM
I find that a lot of sellers, US or UK, tend to have based their pricing on rectal extraction, usually cos it's a load of...........  ;D
Title: Re: Where do eBay sellers get their selling prices from???
Post by: markosjal on January 19, 2017, 07:19:37 PM
Quote from: twocvbloke on January 19, 2017, 04:01:33 PM
I find that a lot of sellers, US or UK, tend to have based their pricing on rectal extraction, usually cos it's a load of...........  ;D

when I saw this title I was inclined to post in somewhat more crude terms, exactly the same concept. I must say I prefer the phrase "rectral extraction". I sure hope it is not copyrighted.
Title: Re: Where do eBay sellers get their selling prices from???
Post by: twocvbloke on January 20, 2017, 06:01:58 AM
Quote from: markosjal on January 19, 2017, 07:19:37 PM
I sure hope it is not copyrighted.

Same here, I only thought of it last night...  ;D