Noticed a thing or two on eBay...

Slivovitz said:

There seem to be a lot of eBayers out there who either do not understand the way automatic bidding works, or keep changing their minds about how much they're willing to pay.

Click to expand...

I agree.

Slivovitz said:

Putting in a bid in the closing seconds of an auction gives them less time to react.

Click to expand...

For popular items, the vast majority of the "bidding" occurs in the final seconds anyhow -- whether it's manual bids or automatic ones being triggered. For items that only end up getting a bid or two, sniping is more likely to be successful. At least in my limited experience.

Here's another angle. The bid early strategy (assuming it is a reasonable bid) can sometimes "secure" an item because it dissuades lowball bids and can discourage other bidders with a similar price point from entering the auction. (If I see a $15 razor sitting at a $12 bid early on, I'll move on. Not so if it's at $9 with no bids and an hour to go.)

I bought a 1932 Gillette "The New" open-combed razor, in its original box (and with two original razor blades), on E-Bay recently for $4.99. Both the box and razor were in well worn condition. I cleaned up the box, and had the razor professionally re-plated in brushed nickel for $25. Now I have a like-new '32 Gillette for less then a new Merkur would have cost me. It pays to be patient and thrifty sometimes.

View attachment 154677

amishmotorboat said:

Buyers are adapting. You lose out on a razor a few times because a BIN is added after you see it, and you start bidding on them as soon as they're listed to prevent it.

Click to expand...

Exactly ... no offense to other posters, but if I see something that looks interesting and I'd like to have an opportunity to bid on it in the final hours, I'll bid the rock-bottom price for which it is listed in order to prevent BIN sales. I do avoid bidding wars, however. Manual sniping is the only way to get something for a reasonable price. IMO

It's amazing how much the prices have gone up on e-bay for Gillette double edge razors from the 1940's to the 1960's.

IMO....You name it....the prices of Fat Boys, Super Speeds, Slim Adjustable, Red Tips, Black Tips and Blue Tips have surged.

I can remember a few years ago that you could get a nice razor, cased, for a reasonable price. Today, the same Quality Gillette double edge razor, without the case, is fetching 3 to 4 times the price of a couple of years ago.

IMO...I don't know if it's collectors or people wanting to get into wet shaving that is causing the prices to skyrocket but it seems to be a trend that will only go up in the future. It's all about supply and demand and from the millions of double edge razors that have survived the land fill, a premium is being paid for their quality.