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Posts: 766
Location: New Hampsha | Let's get this on the table:
Is there or is there not a "gentleman's agreement" about competing for items on E-bay with other OFC members?
If you see something that interests you but another OFC'er is bidding, do you back off or not? |
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Joined:
December 2005
Posts: 149
Location: New York, NY | My opinion... You're not required to search the bidding history for the names of other OFC'ers (probably couldn't recognize all the names even if you did). But if you recognize the name off the bat, I'd say that it's bad form to bid against them (unless of course the two of you talk about it).
Just my take on it.
Cheers,
JT |
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December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | You assess your seriousness and the winner of the auction is the one that made the highest bid in the end.
As a bottom feeder (bid low in case nobody else wants to play) I will try not to bump up an OFCer's bid if they "saw it first".
Otherwise it is a fair market.
I have contacted other Bidders to see if they intended to go higher than I do.
Mostly when another OFCer bids I have to ask myself if I want to compete. I have never felt like I am being forced out. |
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December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Let's take a case in point. Look at the bid history on these:
early Balladeer with issues
Viper Electronics
JohnnyCash - What are your thought processes here?
BTW, I'm Fishgiven on ebay. |
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Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | I as a rule will not bid against other OFC members.
If I did see an item I really wanted I would contact that member to see if it would be OK to bid.
If I see an item first and place a bid on something I really wanted I would post a topic on that item and state my situation. Most members I believe would honor such a request.
If a really nice item came up with a reasonable BIN, first come first serve. :D
This is just my opinion and not something others have to abide by. As they say "Money Talks". |
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July 2006
Posts: 149
Location: gods country..west virginia | if i reconize a ofc'er bidding on something i want i would stand down,or contact them.i try to catch the items when first listed. |
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November 2005
Posts: 4832
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | My $0.02
Each situation will be different, but if you chat or PM it out here that's the best you can do. At least recognize each other. Two or three may really really really want an item.
Noses should try not to stay out of joint for more than a week.
Not that I'd know. I've never played that game. |
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January 2006
Posts: 208
Location: Illinois | My uncle said of betting money on a billiard game that can apply to all facets of life. It has stuck with me all my life.
"When money goes on the table, friendship goes out the window."
Ask no quarter and none given. Bid 'til it hurts and may the best man win. If you bid it away from me, then you're the better man. I can respect that. Can you? |
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December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Johnny,
I wasn't calling you out and I don't expect everyone to memorize who's who on ebay.
I see your excitement as you try to accumulate all of this cool Ovation stuff you just discovered.
Reminds me a bit of myself!
I just couldn't resist. My suggestion, slow down and get more focused on what you really need. You can spend $1000 on Ebay over the next year accumulating stuff or you can go to Mile's gallery and get something unique and collectible!
Save the GAS fund for the unexpected!
PS - does your Wife know you will be accumulating all this stuff? |
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July 2006
Posts: 149
Location: gods country..west virginia | thanks woody,she is supportive of my hobby/obsesion/investments/junk..as long as i kiss alot of ass!!! |
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July 2005
Posts: 3410
Location: GA USA | Hey to June! |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | It turned out that the last minute bid I put in on my UTE was against an OFC member. I didn't know it at the time. I contacted him after the fact and hoped there was no hard feelings.
Would I have done the same thing if knew? Probably not.
However...Just because 2 OFC members have a gentlemans agreement certainly isn't a guarantee that one of them will take the auction. Who knows who else is out there lurking in the bushes. In two years I have only had about 28 transactions so I'm no expert. But I have found that if you really want something you have got to babysit it right to the end. And even that is not a sure thing. |
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July 2006
Posts: 149
Location: gods country..west virginia | i just called her and told her im bidding on another 0,...bad idea! looks like my weekend is going to be spent on a ladder covered in paint!! |
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July 2005
Posts: 3410
Location: GA USA | When I bid on a Viper a month or so ago, I posted "If it means anything, I'm the high bidder on #000000". If somebody wanted it bad enough to outbid me, I have no hard feelings. In fact, the winner is now an esteemed member. I do appreciate how well we support each other and rejoice in the new acquisitions.
I would have a problem with somebody saying "It's mine... don't bid." |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | I would have a problem with somebody saying "It's mine... don't bid."
Yeah...me too.
TommyK's comments are also well said. |
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April 2006
Posts: 972
Location: PDX | Interesting discussion. I'm too new here to recognize all OFC ebay names - some are obvious, and i don't think this situation has come up for me. I'm not sure how i would handle it. I will think about it a bit more, and listen to what the folks here have to say about it.
However, there is one point that crosses my mind that has not come up yet -- the effect of collusion on the seller. The OFC certainly is not the whole market, i'm not sure what portion of the market it represents. But the way i look at is that examine any ebay sale and you will see about four main players on any given item. Two OFC folks represent then, anywhere from a quarter to a third of the market. (geesh, and don't go critiquing my math for god's sake -- it's probably wrong :) )
Anyway just something i am considering in the mix.
_____
gh1 |
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July 2006
Posts: 149
Location: gods country..west virginia | i dont lay claims to anything while a sale or auction is in progress,the way i look at it,is it is yours when it arives at your doorstep...just my opion...not looking to make enamies just new friends..jason |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Very good point gh1. Very good.
If I was a seller I would certainly not want anything to hold down a fair market value.
. |
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Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 208
Location: Illinois | That is why my ebay pseudonym in no way resembles any of my other noms de internet.
That is also why, when you go to an auction to buy something, NEVER go with anyone who might also be a bidder. - And - always keep an eye on the spouse. (We've run each other up before :mad: ) |
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Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 1116
Location: Keller, TX | Originally posted by johnny cash:
i just called her and told her im bidding on another 0,...bad idea! looks like my weekend is going to be spent on a ladder covered in paint!! Not a bad trade-off for another O!!
Personally, I go for the forgivness is (easier/better/quicker) than permission. At least I get what I want. Current desire is for the Yamaha VStar Custom 1100. I have no idea how much I'm gonna have to paint if I ride that one home. I'm sure it will be a long and gruelling project, but at least I'll have it. |
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Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | I think the OFC has done a lot to increase the fair market value of Ovations. Many ebay sellers refer to the OFC or quote stuff from someone like Dave's website.
I have had many OFC members contact me privately to ask if I am interested in an ebay item. (Maybe they just erroneously assume that I'm a rich lawyer who would outbid them.) I have done the same. I don't want to inflate a price by bidding against another OFC member unless it is a guitar I really want. Then it's just a matter of who wants it more, but I've never wanted an ebay guitar more than another OFCer. I think gh1 contacted me similarly about a Craigslist guitar, to see if I was his supposed competition. This is no different than a live auction, when you can size up your competition. Although there are no rules that I know of, I've found that the OFCers are helpful and respectful and if you want it more than another OFCer, the standard response is that we're glad it went to another OFCer.
Oh, and Johnny, if your wife is supportive of your obsession and she has a nice ass, you should be kissing it a lot. |
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July 2006
Posts: 149
Location: gods country..west virginia | thanks mark,i have to kiss alot..between the o's and my cars i have to kiss alot of ass...it well worth it tho..my other obsesion is vintage winder watches..jason |
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March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | We all have our vices. Vintage winder watches can't be too high on the list of sins. |
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December 2004
Posts: 1673
Location: SoCal | "I think the OFC has done a lot to increase the fair market value of Ovations."
IMHO: In some instances, "...inflated the market value..." |
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Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by ttenn:
Current desire is for the Yamaha VStar Custom 1100. I have no idea how much I'm gonna have to paint if I ride that one home. The VStars are very nice.
Woohoo! I'm heading to Twin Falls tomorrow morning to bring back a '98 GL1500!
And let's not forget the OFC credits!!
Thanks to Mark in Boise for giving me a lift from the airport to the bus station...
and I'm hopefully spending Friday night at Jeff's in Hermiston!
Sure is good to know members along the road! Thanks, Guys! |
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E-Bay Etiquette
