Hi,

don't get upset about it. Largely, its just gaining knowledge. Experience counts.

I still mistakes, and sometimes pay a bit over the odds, even after collecting for a loooooong time.

On Ebay, if theres something you want, set yourself a budget, and then STICK TO IT     If you think you tend to overvalue stuff, then knock $5 off your budget! 9 times out of 10 there will be another of the same item along next week, so just be patient.

Cheers,
Malcolm

The Classifieds here work pretty well.

serleran wrote:Because I seem to be less than special at locating stuff, and then feeling like a total twit when I end up paying more for an item that is easy to find (for someone else) because it has eluded me, I ask you for what you use to find stuff. Not the search strings, or specific methods... just websites, resources, and the like. eBay is nice but I don't visit it everyday (if I did, I'd be bankrupt ) but there has to be other things. Are there very good online stores (yeah, pimp yourself, I don't mind -- and I do know of NKG) or other utilities? Thanks.

Deadlord's tag line is probably something I think about almost everyday when I get caught up in the  bidding for items..."There's always another one". I've been on Ebay nearly 10 years, and yes, EVERYTHING except unique items will be seen again, often for much cheaper prices. Most times prices are cyclical, and the next time around, you can get it for a fraction of the cost.  Here are a few little tips:

1.  As mentioned in another thread, one of our illustrious members has a Sword & Spells that has gone up to $139 through the efforts of two idiots.  Meanwhile, myself and Troll & Toad (T&T!!!!) have one in our stores at under $40.  While Ebay store items are often more expensive, not as often they will be somewhat underpriced.  A few years ago, I was randomly looking for Dungeon mags, and I found a guys store (buried deep in multiple listings of dealers with Dungeon mags) who had almost a complete set priced $2-$5 apiece, I managed to pick up a set of 1-50 or so very reasonably price, good combined shipping terms, and when they got here they were in beautiful shape.  If you are looking for a particular item don't forget to sweep the ebay stores on ocassion.
 
2.  This is so very, very important: Assign a price to an item you want, and stick to it.  Don't let another moron dictate how much you are going to pay....besides, with the "hidden bidder" policy now in place, you are never 100% sure it's not a shill with the sole purpose of pushing your bid up.  Chances are, eventually it's going to come up for the price you want.   If not (over several months), bump the price up $5 to $10 (you've obviously valued it too low).  I've pretty much never paid over what I valued the item to begin with...if I'm outbid, so be it.

3.  Check NKGames every once in awhile....they are not always able to price the items according to "true value", they are a giant online store and miss an item every once in awhile.


Mike B.

FoulFoot wrote:All of the serious eBay trollers use AuctionSieve... a utility developed by a member here, incidentally.  It is a marvelous -- and free! -- piece of software.

I was wondering if people actually use this software?  I downloaded it and tried it once but there was something about it I didn't like.  Although I can't remember what that was now.

Very cool. Thanks FoulFoot. I hope it works well for me.

Mars wrote:
I should probably take a look at it again.  For someone who is getting a PhD in computer science, I am very low tech.

How low tech - on the Traveller 1-15 scale?