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Location: Tampa, FL | Is there an accepted protocol regarding fleabay auctions and fellow OFC members? In the past I have I have kind of casually bid on a couple of auctions but always wondered if I should touchbase with the other participant. Then I wonder if doing so would be tacky. Well, now I see an item out there that really catches my fancy. My lonely 6591 really needs some family. So is there any 'code of conduct' or other accepted behavior in this arena? Or is it a case of standback and let 'er rip... |
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Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | Touchy subject. For one thing you/we need to make sure we don't violate ebay rules by collusion on bidding, etc. And never under any circumstances bid against anyone named standingovation.
The grey area is what to do if you see something that's obviously been bid on by a known OFC member. I think it has a lot to do with how bad you want it. If it's a "must have", then bid away and let the chips fall where they may. It's a free world. The bad thing (and it happened to me last year) is to get into a bidding war for the wrong reasons. I went back and forth bidding against a guy (didn't know at the time he was an OFC'er) and I finally won the auction at a very inflated price but I really wanted the item. The other guy identified himself here and I sent him an email to say "no hard feelings, sorry you didn't win the item." He emails me back saying he wasn't really interested in the item anyway! So I'm like, Thanks buddy for driving up the price an extra $600 bucks.
So, my own personal code of conduct wrt OFC'ers is that I'll email the OFC bidder and ask how serious he is about the item. Most often we are just bottom feeding and he'll say, naw just go for it. On occasion he'll say that he's really serious about the item. If it's a "must have" for me then the bidding war proceeds, if it's a "nice to have", I'll stay away. I don't ever ask anyone what they have bid or how high they are willing to do, as I believe that would be an ebay violation.
Dave |
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Location: SoCal | Last year I spotted a Glen Campbell Deluxe Balladeer. I put a bid in and then posted on the OFC board that I really wanted it (been looking for 30 years and was finally in a position to get it when one came up. Everybody here was good about it and didn't drive the price up. The seller was a casual OFC member and I let him know that I would pay a fair market price (he was looking for his reserve). Transaction done.
If somebody really wants something, they should let the board know. Overall, I think Dave's comments pretty well cover the situation. |
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Posts: 13997
Location: Upper Left USA | Ebay rule #1 - the one that bids the highest wins the auction.
The problem is that there are a lot of "Bottom Feeders" including myself that make stabs at items - which may just push the price up for someone who really wants it.
What i have seen and tried to do is to identify when there is an OFC Bidder in the mosh pit and communicate with them. If you really want or need this item more than I do I will stay out. It can simplify things but not necessarily keep the price down - the rest of the world is still out there!
It is OK to outbid an OFC'er but, to quote the American Philosopher Dolly Pardon "Jolene... don't take him from me just because you can!" |
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Location: Upper Left USA | I was typing as Paul and Dave were responding.
There is an auction over an Adamas right now with at least three OFC'ers as bidders. Let's watch!
Just don't tell anyone! |
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Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | You can't post an OFC cat fight...er, bidding war...uh, an eBay auction involving our finest and brightest without including a link! I call 'Foul!' |
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Location: Upper Left USA | Single Epaulet Adamas
Cruster made me do it! :rolleyes: |
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Location: SoCal | http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33029&item=7... |
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Location: Upper Left USA | Paul's aim is better but my draw was quicker!
That is a nice instrument. Any history about it? |
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Location: NJ | there will be no collusion or effort to engage in collusion on the OFC.
I have very strong views about this. IF you want to contact someone privately fine but to announce that you are bidding on something and back off is totally wrong.
If I was the seller I would have to use the private bidder function because I would want to get the most for the item I had for sale. |
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Posts: 604
Location: Tampa, FL | For about 1 millisecond I was the high bidder (and then the relentless ebay autobid took over and dashed my dreams) I think I'll hang back and try for an 11th hour swoop and grab. |
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Location: Upper Left USA | Another tidbit is to make an early bid just to announce your interest. |
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Location: Madison, Wisconsin | I just can't help but think of Pat Boone when I see a blue Adamas. |
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Location: Upper Left USA | The bottom line: in the last 15 minutes bid as much as you are willing to pay. I have bought and sold at just meeting the reserve price.
"Pat Boone"??? |
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Location: Madison, Wisconsin | He used to wear blue shoes to match his blue pants and his blue shirt and his blue coat and tie. He probably had blue underwear on as well. |
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Location: SoCal | Basically, I agree with the posts. I am sensitive if I know that an OFC'er absolutely needs the guitar...more to the fact that I won't get it based on a "want." Paul's shiny bowl is a good example. However, have posted a warning that a particular guitar is MINE and it will be expensive if I am outbid. That would be true even if it was "private bidder."
If the bidding is very low, I may mark it with a low bid. For the Adamas, since it was already at $450 (yes, still low), I set it as a watch since I doubt if I am in the market for a second Adamas II.
I have encouraged OFC'ers to contact me privately as to my intent - "want", "need", or "I don't care." To date, I haven't seen any of the auctions affected by this communication. Heck, on an OFC posting for sale, I even let another member get the guitar (after I had paid for it) as his need was a lot greater than my want.
As to bidding on a guitar I want...I have won three auctions for less than the reserve because I was the highest bidder when it closed - using eBay 2nd offer. Stephen got a great 2005 Collector's because he was the highest on the NAMM auction, even though it was below reserve. And a low number.
As to snipe bidding or last minute bids - before the auction closes, I know how much I will spend and I bid it...snipe or last minute don't bother me since I either win it for what I will pay or someone else pays more. So, if it is a need, bid what you can afford, even if less than reserve.
As to the OFC, I have seen it work to the seller's advantage as we have a better idea of what the guitar is worth and the discussion creates sufficient GAS. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | For the record, I never announce what I'm bidding on so any speculation would be just that. Bid, swoop, snipe, whatever ... |
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Location: Upper Left USA | Willard:
Too much information! |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Brides at a half-off wedding gown sale...all bets are off. Personally, I wouldn't go near it for fear of getting gouged. |
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Location: East Tennessee | I remember Pat Boone wearing White Buck Shoes. When did he switch to Blue?
I don't like the single epaulet style, so I won't be bidding. That should somebody at least
$1.98. :D |
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Posts: 2150
Location: Orlando, FL | OK, I'm the other OFC bidder. Although, I am only a Junior. I posted here at the end of last year wanting to buy a breadwinner or deacon. Right after that I had the surprise opportunity to buy back an Ibanez V that I originally got in 1975 (my fist Rock and Roll guitar) and hated to part with (hard times) in 1998. By the time I was looking at the deacons and BWs again the price had gone way up. Meanwhile, my oldest friend, my Ovation acoustic I got new in 1973, has some serious cracks on the top. I basically quit playing after I sold my V and a Guild f45CE in 98, so I had my Ovation stored in the case for a few years. When my wife convinced me to start playing again and I pulled out my Ovation, the top was cracked. The neck is bowed also, but I'm afraid if I adjust the truss rod I might make the cracks worse! So I figured I'll send it back to the factory, but really need another Ovation acoustic to play in the meantime.
After lurking around the OFC and looking at various recommendations, I decided to play every Ovation I could get my hands on and buy the one I liked best. Unfortunately, the Ovation selection at music stores in Orlando is limited. I was very disappointed by the sound and feel of many of the ones I tried, mostly low end ones. Then I tried the music store out on Disney property and tried some Elites and Adamii. My new quest became - play every Adamas I could find and buy the one I like best. Unfortunately, the store out a Disney was the only local source. I absolutely fell in love with an Adamas W597 4G. But, soon realized that $2199 was a little overpriced. I started seeing a bunch of them on eBay from $1000 -$1300. Even saw one for sale on the OFC! Of course, by now my guitar money had gone to fixing kids cars and such. Now, my guitar budget is finally almost back and not a W597 to be found! I'm trying to be patient. But I'm starting to bid on stuff again. Like I mentioned, my guitar budget is not quite back, so my interest depends on how high the price goes. I'm guessing I'll just wait for a W597. |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Designzilla
This is kinda crass on my part, but i am selling an Elite 1537 (pictured if you click "Opics" in my signiture) and listed in the Sale/Trade section. In your price range and most folks on this board will tell you it is a really fine guitar.
Sorry for a sales pitch |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Designzilla
I heartly second what Jeff just said. If you search the archives you will find that the 1537 is considered "one of the best" Ovations. Very few were made and usually when they find a home they stay there and never leave.
Jeff is lucky enough to own 2 of them and it is only because he is lusting after my FD14 that he has decided to part with one of them. :D
I think just about every 1537 owner on this board (less than 10 I think) would tell you if you want a great guitar that you will be happy with....jump all over this one!!!! |
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Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | ...Don't believe Stephen.
I really don't spend long nights awake, gazing longingly and caressing the photo of his FD-14.
I don't.
Really. |
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December 2004
Posts: 2150
Location: Orlando, FL | Jeff
Very nice! Very tempting. Nice price. I'm gonna have to seriously think about this one. The main problem I have is, It's really hard to find nice Ovations to play in Orlando, but of course they all feel and sound different, I played a couple of Elites and absolutely loved them until I played the Adamas W597. Loved the sound, the neck, the feel. I would really like to find one of those, but I'm not sure I can wait. So I'm gonna have to seriously think about this one. In other words, I've gotta ask my wife... |
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Need a little Emily Post assistance
