I have to confess to "situational ethics" on this question. I have often helped a naive seller establish a fair price for an item in a private transaction, and not minded missing out on a windfall opportunity. On the other hand, I have never offered to pay more than my winning bid on eBay, figuring that a million or so viewers are smarter than I am about what's "fair" in the marketplace. I might feel differently about this if I were trying to make a living (or even real money) buying and selling.
I've also seen a few items I own and cherish drop precipitously in value in the last ten years as eBay has made them (seemingly) less scarce. It is the great leveler, where few real bargains or windfalls exist.
Dave Ross Portola Valley, CA USA
Nigel Land wrote:
Hey North America, what is happening? $456 for a Sturmey ASC? What's going on? Investment bank bonus declarations or a subtle finger to UK buyers given the proximity of Independence Day? I just don't get it. Mind you, I did hear of a pair of Shelwin hubs being bought at York Rally Saddle Bag Sale a couple of weeks ago for £10 and sold on eBay by a 'renowned' CR member after a quick polish for in excess of £200. So there you go. York Rally is verymuch a riders' event, but the businessmen are always around, looking for a quick buck. Is that a problem? Personally I don't think much of it, given that the seller was probably an old guy with no idea of the value of what he had. So, what are the feelings of this august group on prices and making big bucks from fellow cyclists?