I don't know what's going on lately, but the last week I think I've been outbid on everything I've bid on on eBay, even when I go to what I think is a ridiculously high bid. I'm wondering if it has to do with people getting eBay bucks at the start of the month. I do understand that it's an auction and it goes to the highest bidder, etc., but I think I have a good idea about how much certain items should sell for and everything is far exceeding it. I remember for a while a few months ago the same thing happened. Here's an example that I bid on: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...ename=ADME:B:WNA:US:1123&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc This New Zealand 1 penny has a mintage of about 1 million, which is not that rare for a New Zealand coin. The 1965 is the rare one in the series with about 200,000 minted, and I got one of those for about $4. This 1954 sold for almost $7. Probably would have gone higher if I had bid higher, since mine was the bid that was outbid at the last minute. I bid higher than I thought it was worth just because it's the last I need to complete this series. I know it will pass like it always does, but I just wanted to remark on how the cash seems to really be flowing right now. I have some coins listed for sale, so we'll see if I find the same thing with my listings.
Perhaps you are confusing me with someone else. No conspiracy theories - I just hope it goes back to normal so I can buy some coins.
I think what you're experiencing is mass appeal & price ignorance. What I mean is, someone sees a coin that should go for about tree fiddy to four dorrah, but they aren't as hip to the market dictators as you may be. They put a max bid in at $10(only because they enjoy the aesthetics of said coin), this causes the bidders who know what the price should be to lose out when they max bid it by $2 over the market norm(Which they do to ensure it doesn't get away from them). This means that the ignorant bidder wins & is happy with the price they paid(@ this point, $7 dorrah) because of said market ignorance(& the fact that they don't over scrutinize coins in the sub-$10 range). This is the opposite case for higher end (Non US at least)coins, & certain series of US coins too. There are some high demand coins, that if graded would be considered "top-pop" bid at around 5-7% of their FMV, or 4% of catalog value. I would show you an example, but that would be spam. Don't worry, there are 2,000,000 out there somewhere. You are bound to find one that wants to go home with you for reasons other than just the size of your coin budget. Good luck!
If a person wanted to maximize their profits they would sell the majority of their items during the month ebucks are used. To get the best deals buying, the month after ebucks.
Do you know how many 1947 Phil Lincoln Cents in Fine I have delivered every day, one package at a time?
Well some bidders may not care too much about a few bucks so they bid higher. Also some don't people don't want to wait, they may need a certain date to finish off their set. Hence the higher prices and you getting outbid.
It's not so much high prices in general because I was getting deals not too long ago. It's this last week, so that's why I'm wondering if it's the eBucks. I used my eBucks up in about two days myself.
Two days is a long time. I spent mine even before ebay sent me the ebay bucks message. But people do tend to spend a little more than usual at that time.
I remember a week or two when I was after certain coin, and all the bids where around 250% higher than what I expected and considered bidding. After a month or 2 it got all normal, got what I wanted for cheap.