Buying a Bass from Amazon and Selling on eBay for Massive Profits!

[thebrig]

I don't suppose this is really anything to do with me, but I just hate seeing people getting ripped off!

I was just casually going through the basses for sale on eBay when I noticed this [b]Ibanez SR500[/b] for sale at [b]£886.02[/b]

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ibanez-SR500-Bass-Guitar-in-Brown-Mahogany-/231961657319"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ibanez-SR500-Bass-Guitar-in-Brown-Mahogany-/231961657319[/url]

So I contacted them thinking they have made a typing error with the price, since then, we have had a couple of conversations, and here's how the conversations went:

[b]Me:[/b]
[i]These are £529.00 BRAND NEW everywhere.[/i]
[i]How can you justify asking £886.02?[/i]

[b]Seller:[/b]
[i]Hello,[/i]
[i]I'm sorry I can't do anything about the price as we work on very low margins.[/i]
[i]Thanks for looking.[/i]
[i]Best Regards,[/i]
[i]Charisse[/i]
[i]Customer Support[/i]

[b]Me:[/b]
[i]Hi, and thanks for getting back to me.[/i]
[i]I originally asked the question because I thought it must be a genuine mistake, but now all I can say is that I hope no unsuspecting person who is not aware of what the RRP is on these basses, doesn't make a very expensive mistake and purchase this bass from you without looking around first.[/i]
[i]As for working on very low margins, you could buy these at the retail price of £529 and still make a profit of £357.02 on each bass![/i]

[b]Seller:[/b]
[i]Hi,[/i]
[i]Good day![/i]
[i]I will forward your concern and keep you posted.[/i]
[i]Thank you[/i]
[i]Best Regards,[/i]
[i]Charisse[/i]
[i]Customer Support[/i]

I've just read all their negative feedback and I now realise that they are actually advertising on eBay, waiting for someone to make and pay for an order, then ordering the item from Amazon and sending them on, which is a form of drop-shipping I suppose.

They are doing nothing illegal, and I don't begrudge anyone trying to make a living, but this sort of mark-up is obscene!

Or is it just me?

[EBS_freak]

Its one of those buyer beware situations. It's always going to happen... seems unethical but there's always somebody out there trying to make a quick buck.

[Ghost_Bass]

Well, in the old days where there was only one or two stores available near one's home it would be natural for someone looking to buy gear to have to settle for the available stock and price tags.
In this case you're reporting my opinion is if anybody is capable to use a computer and payment technology to buy a bass from e-bay then they surely have the ability to use google. If they get ripped off it's their fault (darwin selection). This doesn't take from the attitude of that seller, he's clearly not an honest person.

[gs_triumph]

Surely they don't sell many of these in the home market. Anybody savvy enough to use eBay is savvy enough to look around.

I know a few guys who sell items on Amazon /ebay who are really aiming them at markets where they are not officially distributed or where the prices are higher anyway. For example, a lot of Lego sets are hard to get in Russia so they buy them here are sale prices, 3for2s etc and sell them to Russians via eBay for two or three times what they cost here.

[thebrig]

[quote name='Ghost_Bass' timestamp='1477563679' post='3162967']
Well, in the old days where there was only one or two stores available near one's home it would be natural for someone looking to buy gear to have to settle for the available stock and price tags.
In this case you're reporting my opinion is if anybody is capable to use a computer and payment technology to buy a bass from e-bay then they surely have the ability to use google. If they get ripped off it's their fault (darwin selection). This doesn't take from the attitude of that seller, he's clearly not an honest person.
[/quote]I think that it's a bit too simplistic to say it's the buyer's "own fault".

For example, my wife has a laptop, and occasionally she buys the odd item online, but when I check what she's bought, I often find the item cheaper elsewhere, this is not because she doesn't know how to turn the laptop on, or has not heard of Google, it's just that she does not know how to use these things properly, and how to get the best out of what they have to offer.

We all log onto BC regularly which means we all have the necessary knowledge to get that far, but there are different levels as to what we can do, look how often people admit to not knowing how to upload a picture, or to add a YouTube or eBay link, that doesn't make them stupid, or do they deserve to be ripped off should they dare be brave enough to make an online purchase.

If I was to casually mention that I would like to have that bass for my birthday, my wife ([i]providing I'm in her good books at the time[/i]), might go on eBay and see that bass and buy it for me, she might have even had look at other Ibanez SR's costing a lot more, but because they all look pretty much the same to an untrained eye, she my think that's a fair price.

Does she deserve to be ripped off just because she only has a basic knowledge of using a computer, and didn't spend hours on Google first?

[Dad3353]

[quote name='thebrig' timestamp='1477565206' post='3162978']...
Does she deserve to be ripped off just because she only has a basic knowledge of using a computer, and didn't spend hours on Google first?
[/quote]

On the other hand, if someone is willing to pay any particular price for something, that's a sign that it's worth it to them. The fact that it could be obtained cheaper elsewhere does not alter that satisfaction with the deal engaged in, does it..? I'd agree that I don't think highly of those practising these methods, but a happy customer is a happy customer, too.

[jrixn1]

There are bots (automated computer programs) which examine the competitor's price and then sell higher.

Sometimes they spiral out of control; e.g. this book on sale for $23.7 million!

http://www.michaeleisen.org/blog/?p=358

[i]"Why though would bordeebook want to make sure theirs is always more expensive? Since the prices of all the sellers are posted, this would seem to guarantee they would get no sales. But maybe this isn’t right – they have a huge volume of positive feedback – far more than most others. And some buyers might choose to pay a few extra dollars for the level of confidence in the transaction this might impart. [/i]

[i]"[...] they do not actually possess the book. Rather, they noticed that someone else listed a copy for sale, and so they put it up as well – relying on their better feedback record to attract buyers. But, of course, if someone actually orders the book, they have to get it – so they have to set their price significantly higher"[/i]

[Cato]

[quote name='jrixn1' timestamp='1477567591' post='3162998']
There are bots (automated computer programs) which examine the competitor's price and then sell higher.

Sometimes they spiral out of control; e.g. this book on sale for $23.7 million!

http://www.michaeleisen.org/blog/?p=358

[/quote]

That's interesting cheers.

Off topic, yesterday I was looking at cat food bowls on Amazon after accidently smashing mine and as I often do I listed the items from most expensive first, idly wondering how much it was possible to spend on such a bowl.

Over £200 for a bog standard plastic bowl apparently. After reading your post I understand how that may have happened.

Edited October 27, 2016 by Cato

[ambient]

I don't see this as being ripped off. Surely it's just commercialism ?

Its like Amazon are currently selling the TC Polytune clip for £35, whereas other stores are selling them for up to £50.

If people can't search and price check things then.....

[Dan Dare]

Caveat emptor. T'was ever thus.

[thebrig]

I respect all your views, and I get all that about you should be more careful and do your homework etc, but I just feel for the people who aren't that clued up, or might have learning difficulties or whatever.

I guess it looks like I'm just an over-caring, naive sort of person who hates people being taken advantage of, even if sometimes, it is their own fault.

[KingBollock]

It is a cynical, nasty way to go about business.

It's something that should be talked about and threads like this are important and would be even better if spread over Facebook and other popular social media. Seeing a conversation like this might encourage someone who is not so internet savvy to learn the skills needed to not get ripped off.

[EBS_freak]

[quote name='KingBollock' timestamp='1477579463' post='3163145']
It is a cynical, nasty way to go about business.

It's something that should be talked about and threads like this are important and would be even better if spread over Facebook and other popular social media. Seeing a conversation like this might encourage someone who is not so internet savvy to learn the skills needed to not get ripped off.
[/quote]
+1

I just hope it doesn't inspire others to set up a similar business though!

[wateroftyne]

If someone buys it, they were happy to pay the price.

Hi-fives all round.

[PaulWarning]

is it any worse than energy or insurance companies jacking up prices for existing customers knowing they can't be arsed to shop around? with the power of the internet if you get ripped off it's your own lazy fault

[Dad3353]

But, again, if one is happy enough to pay the price asked, who's being 'ripped off'..? It's possible to buy a (relatively...) cheap car in India, if you can get there and drive it back. Not many people do; are all the others being 'ripped off' by UK prices because they 'can't be @rsed'..?

[fleabag]

There is very little morality in commercialism. Or rather ' Capitalism '

Its the system we live in, as do millions around the planet. Capitalism is based on greed . Well mostly, anyways

There'll be a lot worse than that ebay seller in the world

As someone already said .. Caveat Emptor. What else is there to say ?

[PaulWarning]

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1477584592' post='3163193']
But, again, if one is happy enough to pay the price asked, who's being 'ripped off'..? It's possible to buy a (relatively...) cheap car in India, if you can get there and drive it back. Not many people do; are all the others being 'ripped off' by UK prices because they 'can't be @rsed'..?
[/quote]yep, if you never find out it was cheaper elsewhere, you'll be a happy bunny, but if you do find out, later, that it was a lot cheaper somewhere else you won't, but the result of people like me shopping round means cheaper prices, that's the good side of capitalism (just seen the above post)

[dannybuoy]

[quote name='thebrig' timestamp='1477565206' post='3162978']
Does she deserve to be ripped off just because she only has a basic knowledge of using a computer, and didn't spend hours on Google first?
[/quote]

Sorry to break it to you, but yes.

[Roger2611]

I am with TheBrig on this, I have emailed the seller of a used £900+ Dee Dee Ramone Precision bass this afternoon to ask him how this bass differs to the brand new Dee Dee Ramone Precision's on sale for £671.00....I await a response

It may be easy to take advantage of the unaware but it doesn't mean you should!

[yorks5stringer]

There's a HB PJ Bass on eBay at the moment BIN £100, resumably a Deco but no mention of that and the headstock not photo'd close up. I asked the question what make it was and immediately got a reply it was a HB and they offered it for £90 BIN.
Someone may think it's a bargain....

[sharkboy]

Caveat emptor - the central tenet of contract law. Is it ethical? Absolutely not, Is it legal? Yep, If someone pays £886 for a £529 bass then, harsh as it sounds, it is their fault - at least under the law. It's all about consideration - the buyers consider the higher price to be an appropriate value.

Put it this way (and this is in now way a criticism, more a genuine interest) - do you feel the same indignation when you hear of people buying items on eBay that were priced too low in error, or where the seller obviously did not realise their worth? If not, what's the difference?

[TrevorR]

Just had a squint on their eBay shop and they're consistently selling mid range gear at £2-300 over the usual market price. A natural Cort A4 for £900 anyone? £800 for a Washburn AB10?

As others have said, nothing strictly illegal but it does make me frown a bit at that attitude, caveat emptor or not.

[mcnach]

[quote name='thebrig' timestamp='1477563023' post='3162956']
I don't suppose this is really anything to do with me, but I just hate seeing people getting ripped off!

I was just casually going through the basses for sale on eBay when I noticed this [b]Ibanez SR500[/b] for sale at [b]£886.02[/b]

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ibanez-SR500-Bass-Guitar-in-Brown-Mahogany-/231961657319"]http://www.ebay.co.u...y-/231961657319[/url]

So I contacted them thinking they have made a typing error with the price, since then, we have had a couple of conversations, and here's how the conversations went:

[b]Me:[/b]
[i]These are £529.00 BRAND NEW everywhere.[/i]
[i]How can you justify asking £886.02?[/i]

[b]Seller:[/b]
[i]Hello,[/i]
[i]I'm sorry I can't do anything about the price as we work on very low margins.[/i]
[i]Thanks for looking.[/i]
[i]Best Regards,[/i]
[i]Charisse[/i]
[i]Customer Support[/i]

[b]Me:[/b]
[i]Hi, and thanks for getting back to me.[/i]
[i]I originally asked the question because I thought it must be a genuine mistake, but now all I can say is that I hope no unsuspecting person who is not aware of what the RRP is on these basses, doesn't make a very expensive mistake and purchase this bass from you without looking around first.[/i]
[i]As for working on very low margins, you could buy these at the retail price of £529 and still make a profit of £357.02 on each bass![/i]

[b]Seller:[/b]
[i]Hi,[/i]
[i]Good day![/i]
[i]I will forward your concern and keep you posted.[/i]
[i]Thank you[/i]
[i]Best Regards,[/i]
[i]Charisse[/i]
[i]Customer Support[/i]

I've just read all their negative feedback and I now realise that they are actually advertising on eBay, waiting for someone to make and pay for an order, then ordering the item from Amazon and sending them on, which is a form of drop-shipping I suppose.

They are doing nothing illegal, and I don't begrudge anyone trying to make a living, but this sort of mark-up is obscene!

Or is it just me?
[/quote]


It's not right, but as you said... it's not illegal.
If someone is happy paying over £300 more than necessary for that particular item then it's their own fault, really. If the seller were somehow lying about what they're selling, ok, but if it's there with complete model number etc... who am I to tell them to stop?

I have mixed feelings because, like you, I feel it's wrong... yet, nobody is forced to buy from them.

A while ago I was selling on gumtree an item that cost me £119 new. It was in "as new" condition and I asked for £95 (to give me some margin for haggling) and I included some accessories. It was perhaps a little on the high side but that item was rarely found for sale used, and I was not particularly in need to sell it.
Someone contacted me very interested about it. He wanted me to drop it to £90. I said sure. Then he said he didn't live near me so it'll cost him about £20 to travel to me, and asked me whether we could meet half way and drop it to £80, or to £70 and he'll do all the travelling. I declined, politely. He then got upset and sent me a couple of texts informing me that he could buy the very same thing for £109 (it was not true, it was a different model). I just replied with a smiley and said "sounds like a good deal, go for it!". He wasn't happy.
My point is... arguing with a seller about their price is probably useless and it's a little bit rude too: who are we to tell anybody else what the right price should be?
By the way, I sold that item a few days later for £90 to a guy who came to my house and loved it.

[ambient]

Anything is only worth what someone is prepared to pay for it.