It's difficult to know what we are actually seeing on eBay . . . we see watches sell on eBay (that are not really sold) and we see watches listed but not sold (and they sell privately a few hours or a few days later).

In this instance, I missed the end of the auction; was disappointed when I saw that it went to $2,200 (as I assumed that it had sold); was encouraged when I saw "Reserve Not Met"; then was disappointed again when I heard the $4,000 price from the seller.

You are right that everyone can have their own way of doing business . . . this one just hit a raw nerve with me, as I was interested in buying the watch . . . but not at $4,000.

I continue to believe that the usefulness of eBay is declining, with the occasional good opportunity (for example, the two-register, early Autavia that we saw a few days ago). It used to be exciting to search eBay and I was usually watching several interesting watches . . . but no more.

Jeff

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

: Every seller has his or her own motivation. Maybe this person has a
: watch and decided he/she would sell it but only if the could get
: a certain really high amount....otherwise they would keep it.

: There are also a lot of different ways to use eBay. We all know
: that some folk...lots of big watch dealers for example...simply
: use eBay as sort of a billboard advertizement for their
: inventory and rarely actually sell goods through eBay.

: eBay is a market place with a huge set of rules. Very few people
: really understand all of the rules. I have a very good friend
: with whom I do a substantial watch trade who has well over
: 15,000 eBay feedbacks. He employs 3 full time people to
: photograph, research and list items for him. He has 122 listings
: right now. All of his auctions start at $0.99 and have no
: reserve. He has 99.9% positive feedback. eBay sent him a notice
: last year that he needed to limit his listing volume because
: they were having more trouble in the antiques and jewelry
: sections than anyplace else with disputes between buyers and
: sellers. My friend has hired lawyers. My friend feels that the
: eBay rules are slanted towards favoring the buyer in most
: disputes. He feels that eBay is reluctant to go after individual
: bad sellers so they go after all big sellers. I don't know who
: is right but I do know that my friend does a lot of work to
: figure out the eBay system and make it work for him.

: My friend is smart and has been very successful in all of his
: businesses. He is very honest but very tough. I find him very
: easy to deal with. Not all eBay sellers are as smart. Not all
: have figured out how to use the system. Maybe this seller falls
: into the category I mention in the first sentence or maybe
: he/she is just a moron. Who knows. He/she paid the fees and the
: watch did not sell...as far as we know....and we move on.

: JohnCote