Doris Fang -
Good advice to the novice used equipment buyer.
I tend to stay away from the pawn shops. Around where I live, most of them see a
name
(Olympus, Nikon, Carl Zeiss...) and jack the price beyond reason. Most times
haggling with the
clerk for a better price isn't worth the effort. Or maybe they see a "sucker"
when they look at me.
Garage/estate sales, even flea markets put on by churches and schools are the
best bets for good
prices.
By the way what is "hondeling" ?
- Another scrounger
Charles Packard
*- DORIS FANG -* wrote:
> On Wed, 2 Dec 1998, Dan Medley wrote:
>
> > I love this topic :) To me it is so simple! If you see an item on e-bay,
> > and you want it, then you bid an amount that you are willing to pay. The
> > system will hold your high bid, and increment it automatically no matter
> > WHEN the other guy bids. If someone comes in at the last moment and bids
> > some ridiculous amount, or even outbids you by a few dollars, then OH WELL!
> > That's MORE than what you wanted to pay anyway!
>
> I have been reading this Ebay thread with some interest. I see nothing
> wrong with the way this works. It's normal bidding, and there's (as many
> have pointed out) strategy to it. But, as with any deal, remember: If it
> is not a unique item, another one like it will appear sooner or later. Do
> not get too fixated on the objects for sale, and always be prepared to
> walk away, or cheerfully part with the bucks without looking back in
> either case.
>
> > I think that the people complaining about the last-minute bidders on e-bay,
> > seems more a reflection of their frustration at not getting and item for
> > cheap or at a bargain than anything else.
>
> That fixation/expectation can obviously lead to serious disappointment,
> anger, etc. Not worth it. Those seeking real bargains would do much better
> by doing more than pointing 'n clicking. Specially at EBay. Is there a
> university near you ? Does it have a "for sale" (real life) bulletin board
> ? Place a little ad there: Will buy Cameras. Same with the
> dorms/laundromats. Is there a little neighborhood "Flyer" type thing that
> comes to your mailbox free? Read it. Go to estate sales. Garage sales.
> Prowl the Pawns. Check the classifieds. Yeah, means leaving the house, the
> computer, lots of driving, talking to strangers, hondeling, etc. Learn
> about used equipment. The best bargains rarely have guarantees, and you
> must rely on your wits before putting down the money.
> *= Doris Fang =*
>
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