eBay

gloriaguides · ‎10-22-2003

Just wondering how you all handle this. I sell used goods and acquire them at yard sales and thrift stores mainly. In my travels over the last few years, I've encountered alot of the same people over and over. Many are flea market dealers, some are ebayers (I suspect, but don't know for sure on some). Two are women who live within blocks of my home and not people I would like to hang out with if I was socially inclined, which I am not particularly! They separately have suggested to me that we travel together since we are going to the same places, and often try to engage me in conversation when we happen to be at the same place. Now, I personally feel that this is a waste of my time and I don't like either of these women for various reasons. Their attitude is that since we all ebay (which I have never admitted to them), we should all be buddies. My attitude is that since I sometimes buy items that they would be interested in acquiring themselves and i don't want to give away any of my "secrets" (and knowledge is $$ at ebay) (I specialize in kids books, but also pick up other items!) why should I do anything with them and how can they even be suggesting this sort of thing! Any thoughts?? I hate being rude, but it's gotten to that point. One woman told me that the other "dogs" our auctions and if I list something she has she puts it on at a lower starting price!! I don't even know their IDs and don't particularly care. I suspect neither is a power seller, so I must be doing better than they are at "THE GAME" (which is what I think ebay is!). Does this sort of thing happen to anyone else? Glori

jaymor8 · ‎10-22-2003

Hi Glo....I so know what you mean. I am a very singular person in my shopping and in my dealings and I hate doing things with other people. Now...let me elaboreate here. First of all, if I am going to go shop with other people, I'd go with my family and/or friends first. Strangers....forget it. What a bore. Your business is your business and you don't owe anybody an explanation about where you go, when you go, how long you stay and what you buy.

I wouldn't feel guilty at all. Even when my husband and I go to large flea markets, we part company for an hour and meet back at a certian spot. We don't like the same things so why waste time at each other's tables, right?
I think you have nothing to worry about. You are shopping for busines reasons, you're not going to a tea party. Good for you!!!

Jackie...

deltone · ‎10-22-2003

I agree with what Jackie says. I don't sell used stuff (mainly cosmetics and exercise dvds which are all brand new) so I've never come across what you have but boy, am I glad I never have.

I do remember back in the day when I used to sell beanie babies on here, and although the products were new, I would often run into many beanie weasels who were pushy and obnoxious and would sell their grandmothers for a "hot" beanie. It was extremely annoying so I hear your pain!!

thebidwatcher · ‎10-22-2003

I go to auctions several times a week and the people I see there are always the same. It's like we hunt in a pack. We are all silver buyers but some have bottomless pockets and some are bargain hunters (like me).

I have the attitude that if someting is meant to go home with me, it will. I won't pay past a certain price and that's the way it is. I am friendly with everyone and if you want to pay more, well bro, let the force be with you. I also am one of the only females in the pack.

Every Wednesday I go to an auction with this pack. We sit in the exact same spots in the room, on chairs and face the front. Sometimes I sit with a couple of buddies but I was alone today. I bid on an item but once it got past my limit, I stopped. Then it was sold to this guy behind me, who I know. Hey, that's the way it goes.

He suddenly yells out, "Lisa - I could kill you!" (I guess he figured I made him pay too much). I was in shock at such low class, childish behavior. I turned around and gave him one of my "stares of death", which I save for such an occasion.

A couple of minutes later he comes up behind me all sweetie pie and says, "Oh I am so sorry. I did not mean to scare you". He has a European accent like one of the brothers in a Steve Martin skit. I told him he did not scare me but if wants something, he should bid and pay for it, otherwise he can shut the **** up. He went back to his seat.

I am SUCH a lady.

muminlaw · ‎10-22-2003

Bid, maybe not a "lady" in our grandmother's understanding of the word, but definitely a woman we can all look up to and admire! By the way, I love the "stare of death" -- my mum used to have one of those ... her grandkids all called it "the grandma bomb!"

Glenda

Glenda

thebidwatcher · ‎10-23-2003

THE GRANDMA BOMB!

I am going to laughing all day. My mom has one and so did my mother in law. Oddly enough, my Grandma did not have one for me but she used it on my mother, so I'm told.

Another literary legacy I can leave my daughter.

Pure genius.

gloriaguides · ‎10-23-2003

You're great Lisa!! Love the "GRANDMA BOMB". I know just the look. I have it and my son has it. I only use it on my kids, but may have to try it on these other "ladies". I just don't understand why they think I'd like to help them compete with me and why they expect I would teach them what I know!! I'm a nice person, but NOT STUPID!! These people don't understand "business" and "competition" and "if you buy it I can't". I've been thinking about trying auctions, but I'm the kind of gal who likes to keep moving and I think I'd be bored waiting for the things I want to come up for bid.

deltone · ‎10-23-2003

On a similar note, yesterday I received an email from some ebay stranger, asking me where I purchase the exercise dvd's that I auction. Seems she wants to know where I purchase them wholesale so that she too can purchase a bunch and sell them too. Can you believe the noive of some people? This isn't the first time I've received such a request. I decided to not even answer her email.

amberwoodottawa · ‎10-23-2003

As a Business Consultant (as well as an eBay Seller) who has travelled the world in business, you realize how small the world is and the person you snub today, may be the person you meet and need tomorrow.

I find that diplomacy and tact is best.

The next time those pesty neighbors (who really mean no harm)ask that you travel together to the next flea market, simply suggest that you would love to have a coffee with them if you see them there but you usually do several other errands enroute to or upon return from the flea market.

thebidwatcher · ‎10-23-2003

Amber, you may mature but you are not too much fun.

I on the other hand, am very immature.

I have an alternate to the "Grandma Bomb". It is a ficticious weapon of my own invent, particularly of use at auctions.

It is called the DIARRHEA DART. When someone in a crowd is giving you angst, you shoot one over in them. It does not matter where, as long as it penetrates skin. The dart releases a chemical that causes the victim to have to spend the next two hours in the can.

I have been fantasizing about this for almost a year and have shared this idea with friends. I just remembered about it when reading this thread. Everyone seems to think the idea has merit.

amberwoodottawa · ‎10-23-2003

Well if you want to have fun and send them a message, why not tell them to meet you at 10am at a shopping mall so you can all car pool together to the sale and then you dont show up. Instead you are at the flea market or auction getting all the deals while they sit at the parking lot waiting.
Better yet, call them on the cell phone every 1/2 hour and tell them that yu are just around the corner and should be there any minute.
Oh yes I can be mature and have fun as well (lol)

thebidwatcher · ‎10-23-2003

A bit on the civil side Amber but you are definitely moving in the right direction!

Welcome down to my level!

your-chic-shopper · ‎10-23-2003

Good thread >>>>

For 5 years from the Age of 20 to 26 I ran and collected the money for a Flea Market In Vancouver called Liquidators Flea Market

I saw the same people each week. Some were difficult while others I admired for their business manner

I admired the Chinese people whom would have a family member at all the local Flea Markets in the Lower mainland . Selling leather Wallets , T-shirts. I learn so many good business idea's from watching them .

Then their were others, I just collected money from for the table and chose never to speak to them .

My wife had a booths in these flea Markets , we always did well . We eventually expanded to Cloverdale Flea Market . It was long days on Sundays

A Sunday would start Early Around 3.00am to get a good spot early in the morning at Cloverdale ......to set my wife up . I would then leave and go open up Liquidators Flea Market in Vancouver at 7.00Am . Open my wife booth, with her staff . Then collect the money and deal with the flea market people at Liquidators Flea Market . Close the Flea Market at 5.00 pm , then off to Cloverdale to pick the wife up .

I started to hate it .

Years later I returned to cloverdale Flea Market after moving on , seem everyone was talking about the same stuff . I then knew I did the right thing to move on . Their just comes a time when you learned all you can learn and it best too move on too better yourself

gloriaguides · ‎10-23-2003

I admire some of the people who do the local flea markets....but many are just too "lazy" to learn about their stuff. I'd hate spending my weekends loading the van, selling like that, reloading...that's what's so great about ebay..your store is open 24/7 and you don't have to be there!! I don't particularly like meeting my buyers either, although I occasionally have to arrange a meet for a local buyer. I guess i'm a loner and I'd do something drastic before I'd ever work with most the other sellers, ESPECIALLY those 2 women. I usually just pretend I don't see them and if i am "caught" It's amazing all the things I just have to do before the kids get home!! I am a very good excuse maker, and proud of it