Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 69

Somebody answer me!! Why do people purchase Handsprings and Hanspring related items on ebay? I am astounded when I see these items going for retail or near retail or even above. I know these people have access ot the internet and can find the Mfg's sites.... WHAT IS THE LOGIC IN BIDDING ON SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN BUY NEW AT THE SAME PRICE AND KNOW THAT THE ITEM IS LEGIT (NOT STOLEN AND WARRENTED).

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Posts: 790

One reason could be that the buyer is posted overseas in the US armed forces and has an APO/FPO address.

Handspring and others won't ship to those addresses. See this thread.

__________________
Jeff

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: In the heart of Sillicon Valley
Posts: 24

quote:

---

Originally posted by PDAENVY
One reason could be that the buyer is posted overseas in the US armed forces and has an APO/FPO address.

Handspring and others won't ship to those addresses. See this thread.

---

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Aberdeen, SD
Posts: 2531

What are you guys talking about? I got this great deal of Handspring Visor Solo for $450 and it even came with the original box! As soon as I scrape up some money I'm going to buy the $735 Stowaway Keyboard (although I'll set my maximum bid to $1000 just to make sure I can get this great deal -- these things don't grow on trees you know).

Seriously though, I think it's laziness. People get into a rut buying things on eBay and they stop looking elsewhere (or they set their maximum bid without thinking it'll get up that high). It's good for the sellers, though. I pray for uneducated consumers when I post something on eBay. I wouldn't mind take $40 for a $35 item.

__________________
-Joshua
Abortion: Darwinism at its finest.

Last edited by dick-richardson on 02-20-2001 at 08:29 PM

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: Petersburg, AK
Posts: 131

Oooo. Yeah. Don't forget the blue deluxe stylus for $17 plus $5 shipping!

Registered: Jul 2000
Location: Indiana
Posts: 84

Easy, kids. When Handspring couldn't be relied upon to ship anything - ANYTHING - in a timely manner, I resorted to ebay and got myself an IVDx for $240+shipping, and an ice deluxe stylus for free after I signed up for PayPal. Both of these are great deals, considering the product shortage Handspring had a year or so ago.

We all know the key to online shopping is to know your marketplace and look at a few places before you make a purchase. I did, and ebay was my best choice. And I think I actually saved a couple bucks against MSRP.

So, we ebay shoppers aren't ALL idiots. Now, my two sisters-in-law who were bidding against each other for the same oven mitt....I worry about them a little.

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 69

quote:

---

Originally posted by Morris
Easy, kids. When Handspring couldn't be relied upon to ship anything - ANYTHING - in a timely manner, I resorted to ebay and got myself an IVDx for $240+shipping, and an ice deluxe stylus for free after I signed up for PayPal. Both of these are great deals, considering the product shortage Handspring had a year or so ago.

We all know the key to online shopping is to know your marketplace and look at a few places before you make a purchase. I did, and ebay was my best choice. And I think I actually saved a couple bucks against MSRP.

So, we ebay shoppers aren't ALL idiots. Now, my two sisters-in-law who were bidding against each other for the same oven mitt....I worry about them a little.

---

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Atlantic Rim
Posts: 570

Ebay Winner

Hell, I got my ICE VDX for $195 on Ebay. I've seen them go for as little as $175.

Obviously each transaction has risk associated with it, but my VDX arrived perfect--just as good as new.

Registered: May 2000
Location: St. Paul, MN
Posts: 1429

My friend got a Visor Solo brand new in box for $60. It works fine. Ebay is a great place to buy things.. don't diss it!

-miradu2000
I AM ABOVE NORMAL LEVELS IN HAPPINESS!

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 69

quote:

---

Originally posted by miradu2000
My friend got a Visor Solo brand new in box for $60. It works fine. Ebay is a great place to buy things.. don't diss it!

-miradu2000
I AM ABOVE NORMAL LEVELS IN HAPPINESS!

---

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 69

P. S. CHECK OUT THIS EBAY AUCTION FOR A GOTYPE KEYBOARD. Item #1214644264. IT WENT FOR $83.00 PLUS SHIPPING. GO TO COMPUSA $69.99 X SALES TAX IN MY AREA .0775 = $75.41.... DUH...

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Aberdeen, SD
Posts: 2531

My sarcasm wasn't directed at eBay by any means. eBay is awesome. I just think that you have to be mentally deficient to spend more on a used product than a new one. And the fact that the GoType! keyboard went that high over MSRP means there are at least 2 brilliant people who thought they were getting a deal. I wish I could figure out if I had anything else those two wanted so I could sell it to one of them on eBay and then buy a new what-ever-it-would-be and pocket some change to boot.

__________________
-Joshua
Abortion: Darwinism at its finest.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 1683

I think Dick was just making fun of dumb people...and there ARE a lot of them on eBay! So they sort of deserve it.

I love when a company has the SAME item for auction in multiple auctions at the same time. One item may go for $400 while the other goes for $100.

That's how Auctions work...you ALWAYS get people bidding on items that they really have no idea as to what they are worth.

[quote]
Why do you think people pay over $3000 over sticker for a PT Cruiser from the dealer.
[quote]

I still can't figure out why people by those things at any price. But maybe that's just me.

__________________
We're all naked if you turn us inside out.
-David Byrne

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 11

Ebay is a great place to find things when you can't get them anywhere else. Take the Ipaq for example. There are tons of them on ebay and none in the stores or the Compaq website. If I didn't love my Ice VDX so much I'd be tempted to pick one up on Ebay. Prices are around $450 - $530. That's close to MSRP for something that you can't even order on the Compaq website.

Ebay is a great place for the knowledgeable shopper to go, because you know when the price is a rip-off. Unfortunetely, or fortunetely, depending on whether you are the buyer or seller, Ebay also happens to be one of the most recognized names on the internet as well and a lot of newbies get a kick out of telling their friends that they use Ebay. It makes them sound like they are internet gurus.

Either way, I know that there is a good chance that someone out there will either a: sell me something for an incredibly low price, or b: buy something from me for an outrageously high price. Either way I'm happy.

Getting ripped off on Ebay seems like a right of passage for today's newbie internet users. It teaches them to be wary of everyone and everything on the internet. It's better to overpay by $20 on a Visor Deluxe on ebay then send you Credit Card information to a scam site.

Pritam

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 11

Ebay is a great place to find things when you can't get them anywhere else. Take the Ipaq for example. There are tons of them on ebay and none in the stores or the Compaq website. If I didn't love my Ice VDX so much I'd be tempted to pick one up on Ebay. Prices are around $450 - $530. That's close to MSRP for something that you can't even order on the Compaq website.

Ebay is a great place for the knowledgeable shopper to go, because you know when the price is a rip-off. Unfortunetely, or fortunetely, depending on whether you are the buyer or seller, Ebay also happens to be one of the most recognized names on the internet as well and a lot of newbies get a kick out of telling their friends that they use Ebay. It makes them sound like they are internet gurus.

Either way, I know that there is a good chance that someone out there will either a: sell me something for an incredibly low price, or b: buy something from me for an outrageously high price. Either way I'm happy.

Getting ripped off on Ebay seems like a right of passage for today's newbie internet users. It teaches them to be wary of everyone and everything on the internet. It's better to overpay by $20 on a Visor Deluxe on ebay then send you Credit Card information to a scam site.

Pritam

Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 61

I bought my first Palm (a 1000) on E-bay. It was the first time I bought something there and I over paid by ~40. Learned my lesson though. Also droped it a week later and cracked the screen. Didn't have a lot of luck with those things.

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Aberdeen, SD
Posts: 2531

quote:

---

Originally posted by RoofusPennymore
I bought my first Palm (a 1000) on E-bay. It was the first time I bought something there and I over paid by ~40. Learned my lesson though. Also droped it a week later and cracked the screen. Didn't have a lot of luck with those things.

---

__________________
-Joshua
Abortion: Darwinism at its finest.