I don't sell many pipes, as some may recall from my juicy offering awhile back. I'm not a sales copy guy, and really, prefer to do business on the phone or in person when I can. I have most confidence as the buyer, in my experience.
I rarely buy on e-bay, but if I do, I prefer the buy it now with an option to haggle, only because I enjoy the haggling process far more than a bidding war.
My reason isn't even primarily to save money (though it's a nice side effect), but rather, it's a kind of sport. I'm a guy who will haggle with an internet provider, just to talk turkey, and often, I get a good deal that is not advertised. In North America, it is not much in the culture to haggle, for most things, and sometimes I think this is an advantage. People don't see it coming too often, and you would be really surprised at where you can get a deal in those circumstances.
I never used to haggle, until one time, I was standing in line with a friend at the grocery store and he started it at the check out. I couldn't believe it. He didn't need the money, but he did it out of habit. He was successful in getting some manager's or staff discount, I can't remember exactly. Walking out, I said "What in the hell was that all about?" His response: "I'd rather have the money in my pocket." What more was there to say?
We talked about it, and over time, he put it this way: "Listen, it sounds small at the time, but after awhile, the difference is having a "free" plane ticket somewhere nice. The worst people can say is no."
Of course, he was right.
But, on e-bay, I'm a little torn between the buy it now and the bidding when selling. It seems like a bidding war can tap into emotions and really send something flying. But how can you hedge your bets against this? I'm positive that there is a good way and a bad way to do this, but I don't have the experience to know when to choose which way.
Does anyone have a guideline they use for choosing between the two options?
For something like pipes, I thought, maybe, the popularity of a brand might be useful in swinging to an auction, because a lot of interested parties are potentially looking. But, if it's a rare piece for a limited target of people, maybe the buy it now option is best suited?
Maybe a price point is ideal? Less than $300 and an auction may be the way to go? More than $600 and a buy it now option is going to get the better deal?
I have no idea. I'm curious if anyone thinks about this and applies some kind of rubric for dealing with it.
I rarely buy on e-bay, but if I do, I prefer the buy it now with an option to haggle, only because I enjoy the haggling process far more than a bidding war.
My reason isn't even primarily to save money (though it's a nice side effect), but rather, it's a kind of sport. I'm a guy who will haggle with an internet provider, just to talk turkey, and often, I get a good deal that is not advertised. In North America, it is not much in the culture to haggle, for most things, and sometimes I think this is an advantage. People don't see it coming too often, and you would be really surprised at where you can get a deal in those circumstances.
I never used to haggle, until one time, I was standing in line with a friend at the grocery store and he started it at the check out. I couldn't believe it. He didn't need the money, but he did it out of habit. He was successful in getting some manager's or staff discount, I can't remember exactly. Walking out, I said "What in the hell was that all about?" His response: "I'd rather have the money in my pocket." What more was there to say?
We talked about it, and over time, he put it this way: "Listen, it sounds small at the time, but after awhile, the difference is having a "free" plane ticket somewhere nice. The worst people can say is no."
Of course, he was right.
But, on e-bay, I'm a little torn between the buy it now and the bidding when selling. It seems like a bidding war can tap into emotions and really send something flying. But how can you hedge your bets against this? I'm positive that there is a good way and a bad way to do this, but I don't have the experience to know when to choose which way.
Does anyone have a guideline they use for choosing between the two options?
For something like pipes, I thought, maybe, the popularity of a brand might be useful in swinging to an auction, because a lot of interested parties are potentially looking. But, if it's a rare piece for a limited target of people, maybe the buy it now option is best suited?
Maybe a price point is ideal? Less than $300 and an auction may be the way to go? More than $600 and a buy it now option is going to get the better deal?
I have no idea. I'm curious if anyone thinks about this and applies some kind of rubric for dealing with it.