"Outing" Ebay auctions

[jimo746]

Another forum I frequent had some problems due to folk "outing" interesting finds on Ebay, a member may have had their eye on it quietly and subsequently the price skyrocketed, or a bidding war may have begun between 2 or more forum members for the item, usually ending in the one with the deepest pockets (or smallest willy ) claiming the prize.
In the end the forum put a ban on announcing ebay finds, although things have calmed down now and they are starting to creep back in.

But it is a free world, free trade, free speech etc, and RB has an active forum for ebay finds, so if I spot something interesting I may well post it up in the "ebay/marketplace watch" area of RB, if I'm interested in buying it myself then I may keep quiet about it but you can guarantee that at least ten other RB'ers will have their beady eyes on it anyway :roll:

when all is said and done, fairness does not come into it. If you want to buy something then you'll have to pay the auction price.

 

[rosstheboss]

If you want it - buy it
If you don't want it - share it!

There's still a huge amount of luck involved in winning stuff on ebay, share the love!

 

[highlandsflyer]

I think it is fine, but I agree with LGF that if it is an obvious bargain why not buy it straight away?

I have been dissed here for bidding on an item with a low BIN, but I have a strict approach to buying on Ebay and wonder why the people outing the item didn't just go for it.

It is all too rare to find a real bargain from a reputable seller, so if you are going to take the risk on something from a low feedback seller, etc., good on you.

I used to bid on many items at one time, sticking to strict levels and winning maybe a third or less.

However I was not using any sites to find my quarry.

This 'outing' thing certainly helps if you are building to spec and want advice before you buy.

Got to be a good thing if it generates money for the site.

 

[lewis1641]

some outings have promoted good discussion too. particularly wher eit is something i have little or no knowledge of.

it is also great when a random kona or rocky mountain frame is posted and Antony and Fluffychicken itendify the model, year, paint code, welder's name, factory of origin, what the welder had for lunch etc in a matter of seconds

 

[The Ken]

I'll happily out an item I don't want or can't afford at the time, I'd rather someone here got it if I can't have it.

 

[sylus]

I would out in here everyday of the week

only after I have decided I don't want it

 

[the_duke]

It seems that on the whole the verdict is the positives of "outing" outweigh the negatives.

I kind of thought it would be more frowned on but am pleased that people are more laid back.

Now go out there and find me a bargain Ritchey advertised as "mountain bike"



(but don't tell anyone except me )

 

[pete_mcc]

Out it every time.

Only an idiot thinks they are the only person to have found an item and they will be disappointed every time as they will get sniped because they have assumed they are the only one to have seen it.

 

[GT-Steve]

I generally out stuff, local to me tha may be of interest on here, and is collection only.

I've helped a few RB'ers out in that way, and have had the favour returned too.

I also out stuff that is just ludicrously cheap, ridicluously expensive or generally interesting. Like TP says, it keeps the forum going.

Anything else I keep to myself, cos I'm not into swinging... If it gets outed then it's tough titty for me, and if not, bonus.

I've had XT thumbies, frames, Atac stem, Ti bolts, brakes and a Flite Ti saddle all for the 0.99p starting price, and I never once thought of myself as an idiot.

Ebay is always a gamble, and I've had stuff sell cheaper than 'market value' (whatever the hell that means anyway) so buying/selling is always swings and roundabouts for me.

Long may the outing continue,

 

[the_duke]

an idiot thinks they are the only person to have found an item and they will be disappointed every time as they will get sniped because[/b] they have assumed they are the only one to have seen it.i]

Thats the point I was trying to make Pete.

If I found a Ritchey, wrongly and obscurely listed I would know for a fact that a minimum of 1 other retrobiker has also found it.

So if I know this and I am not going to bid maybe I should leave it to him rather than tell everyone else.

That was my old rationale anyway, merely trying to help people save a few quid.

As most feel it's better to out such a find then I won't have any qualms about doing so.