Its Back on Ebay - Orignal Invoice in Post

Snowdon · 09-27-2001, 09:13 AM

I have reposted my 1973 911s on Ebay. If it doesn't sell this time around it will go into storage.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=595902077

joehahn · joehahn's Garage

This may be a dumb question but I don't "ebay" that much so I'll ask. What is the point of the "reserve"? In other words, why don't people make the "opening bid" or set price a certain amount and then essentially set the price as low as they will go? Seems like lots of p-cars and others never get past that "reserve not met" sign.

Just wondering.

campbellcj · 09-27-2001, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by joehahn:
This may be a dumb question but I don't "ebay" that much so I'll ask. What is the point of the "reserve"? In other words, why don't people make the "opening bid" or set price a certain amount and then essentially set the price as low as they will go? Seems like lots of p-cars and others never get past that "reserve not met" sign.

Just wondering.

The reserve is a "gimmick" to make it appear that the opening bid is very low...i.e. $10, for an expensive item, to attract more attention. Ebay hates reserve auctions, and tried to drop them at one point because their fee structure is based on your listing price...but they gave in to user pressure, and changed their pricing so that now they just charge an extra fee for reserve auctions.

Think about it...if you saw a 73S listed at $2,500 you'd be more likely to click and take a look than if the opening bid were (say) $27,500, right?

Chris C.
73 914 2.0
70 911E Targa
campbell.chris@gte.net

[This message has been edited by campbellcj (edited 09-27-2001).]

orbmedia · 09-27-2001, 09:39 AM

The reason is to inspire interest in bidding. If you just make the minimum say $40K then no one is going to bid thinking that they're the only sucker to pay that much but if you start the bidding at $5K with a hidden reserve people will "inch up" to it. The seller can always elect to sell it at the high bid even if it does not meet reserve. It's a bidder psychology thing. Ebay didn't invent the concept it has been around in auctions before.

jrdavid68 · 09-27-2001, 10:50 PM

Snowdon, $8000 earlier today and now it's already up to $14,100 with nine days left - May I ask? What is the reserve?

pwd72s · 09-28-2001, 08:19 AM

Well, has to be higher than the highest bid last time..which was $20,100. Discount for repaint, discount for it being a Targa, but this seems to be a really nice numbers matching '73 911S...and they are not numerous. I still say it is worth mid 20's, but the auction will give us the info. Tracking again...good luck Michael. Are you SURE you want a tiptronic car????

Snowdon · 09-28-2001, 09:18 AM

PWD,

I am having trouble using my left leg, so I am forced to go to a TipTronic.

What is very interesting is my last auction no one asked what the reserve was, I have had 7 people already ask.

Michael

emcon5 · emcon5's Garage

Why not stick a sportomatic in what you already have?

Tom

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82 911SC Coupe

Snowdon · 09-28-2001, 10:22 AM

I would but that would de-value the car.

Snowdon · 09-28-2001, 10:48 AM

The car is already at $18,000 on with 8 days to go, last time around it only brought in $20,100.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Snowdon:
The car is already at $18,000 on with 8 days to go, last time around it only brought in $20,100.

Ebay is pretty unpredictable. I've had stuff languish and end up going for far less that it is worth, and other things have sold for almost twice what I expected. Just gotta get the right people interested...

KTL · 09-28-2001, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Snowdon in his eBay auction
Please remember that you are bidding on a 28-year old car, and yes it is nice, but it isn’t a new car or a perfect car.

Well said. Nothing irritates me more than a seller who over-embellishes his car. Example: When I bought my car the guy said, "It's like a brand new car!" many, many times. Gimme a break. I should have walked. Some people just don't see the whole picture. There are plenty of nice 911's out there (and plenty of scaries). Don't get me wrong. I got a fair price and it was in nice condition, but not even near current condition after lots of cleaning and tweaking.

Just pointing out a sign that Snowdon has a sense of reasonable-ness as a seller.

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Kevin
87 Carrera coupe

[This message has been edited by KTL (edited 09-28-2001).]

Snowdon · 09-28-2001, 02:09 PM

Kevin,

I spent alot of time looking around the country for my car(I was working), and couldn't beleave what some people were trying to sell.

Thanks for the words.

Michael