Just... Bad, Turbo Ebay Auctions (Not Gouging)

[FiftyQuid]

This guy has had a few listings up before.  Selling a bunch of games, using default pic (no photos), and a vague description.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Soldier-Blade-TurboGrafx-16-WITH-BOX-/320998275634?pt=Video_Games_Games&hash=item4abcfcfa32

I guess he just wants us to trust the VERY GOOD he's used as reference.  Oh, and you can't (at least I can't) contact him.

[EDIT] This one isn't Turbo related, but it was interesting.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Atari-Super-Six-Switch-bundle-Plenty-of-extras-Original-box-/310471530358?pt=Video_Games&hash=item48498b9776

No photos except for a field of flowers.

[sadikyo]

I really don't understand why people don't take just a few minutes to make a more detailed listing.  As the seller, you are trying to make the most amount of money, but so many sellers throw something up like:

"mario for nes no manual paypal only plz"

Like they are on the subway and making a quick listing before they forget or something.  It is really odd.  And I understand if you have 1,000 listings, but it really surprises me when it is someone with just a few listings. 

Course, we now have the whole "ebay mobile" thing, which encourages it, so I don't know. 

I guess not everyone is a marketing expert, but some of it seems like common sense...

[FiftyQuid]

Common sense seems to be a rarity today.  Every year I look at taking a night course at my local college and I wholeheartedly expect to see Common Sense 101 listed there.

[sadikyo]

The problem is - anyone who actually had to resort to taking that class.....would probably fail, haha.

[Frank_fjs]

Course, we now have the whole "ebay mobile" thing, which encourages it

Yeah, I've noticed that too, so many thoughtless listings end with the little note about it being posted with eBay mobile.

What strikes me as odd is that the crappy listings are the ones that seem to sell fast or get bid on to high amounts.

[Bernie]

Honestly, how many of us really need to know what Mario is?  The reason I believe so many auctions are started like that, is because people assume we already know what the hell it it.    And, they would be correct, for the most part...  I mainly just wanna know its condition and all.  More is always better, but not so much required.

[FiftyQuid]

Honestly, how many of us really need to know what Mario is?  The reason I believe so many auctions are started like that, is because people assume we already know what the hell it it.    And, they would be correct, for the most part...  I mainly just wanna know its condition and all.  More is always better, but not so much required.

I definitely agree, some of the listings don't require a lot of detail.  For listings where the seller is selling a box though, I definitely would want to see what condition the box was before dropping $100 (if I collected boxes).  I don't see box collectors being attracted to a listing like this.  Especially without a 'contact seller' option.  Well, I cannot contact the seller.  Perhaps it's just blocked for Canadian buyers.

[vestcoat]

I'm honestly surprised to see an unsold copy of Soldier Blade with the box and manual for only $140. Other copies have fetched much higher prices.

The vague description is adequate in this case. The common problem with condition ratings isn't beat-up junk listed as "very good", it's incomplete items. Sellers don't realize the higher categories have to be complete and they try to pass off loose carts as "mint" just because the label is glossy. In the case of this Soldier Blade listing, the seller specifically states that the box and manual are included, so the "very good" grade should be an accurate indication of the items' condition. He also has perfect feedback.

Taking a gamble on poorly-described items with stock pictures is really the best way to not get gouged these days. I bought DE2 for $17 BIN in '07 because a seller didn't take pictures. It had been listed for over a day and nobody had the guts to buy a game without a picture.

Especially without a 'contact seller' option.  Well, I cannot contact the seller.  Perhaps it's just blocked for Canadian buyers.

I think ebay switched it so you have to click "ask a question" and then goto "contact seller" at the bottom of a list of stock answers.

[FiftyQuid]

I tried the Ask Seller.  It just brings me to the same disclaimer.  Maybe it is a region thing?

Here's one...  You can actually see the cement block wall in the background.  Seems to me like he rooted around in his basement after seeing Turbo games fetching a pretty penny on eBay.  He even took the pictures on his washing machine.  The air freshener is a nice touch.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Turbografx-16-System-w-7-Games-Turbografx-16-Bonks-Blazing-Lazers-Alien-Crush-/110963707833?pt=Video_Games&hash=item19d5f3cfb9

[turboswimbz]

I tried the Ask Seller.  It just brings me to the same disclaimer.  Maybe it is a region thing?

Here's one...  You can actually see the cement block wall in the background.  Seems to me like he rooted around in his basement after seeing Turbo games fetching a pretty penny on eBay.  He even took the pictures on his washing machine.  The air freshener is a nice touch.



http://www.ebay.com/itm/Turbografx-16-System-w-7-Games-Turbografx-16-Bonks-Blazing-Lazers-Alien-Crush-/110963707833?pt=Video_Games&hash=item19d5f3cfb9

I tried the Ask Seller.  It just brings me to the same disclaimer.  Maybe it is a region thing?

Here's one...  You can actually see the cement block wall in the background.  Seems to me like he rooted around in his basement after seeing Turbo games fetching a pretty penny on eBay.  He even took the pictures on his washing machine.  The air freshener is a nice touch.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Turbografx-16-System-w-7-Games-Turbografx-16-Bonks-Blazing-Lazers-Alien-Crush-/110963707833?pt=Video_Games&hash=item19d5f3cfb9

let's me ask a question through ebay on those???  Did you remember to hit ask a question, then press a sub topic, then click NO THIS DIDN'T ANSWER MY QUESTION, I'd like to contact the seller???  yeah it takes like nine steps now.

[FiftyQuid]

Yeah, these are the exact step I took.  After all this I get a red warning saying "The Seller says piss off".  So then I go back pick another bullet point with the hopes of maybe finding a loophole and actually contacting the seller.  The only way I'm able to get around it is to send the Seller my question through the eBay Mobile App on my phone. 

[turboswimbz]

I went to e-bay to check out about the region thing and you can set it up tell Internationals to "piss off" I'm guessing he has it set to only accept questions from those in the US

[Lost Monkey]

Yeah, these are the exact step I took.  After all this I get a red warning saying "The Seller says piss off".  So then I go back pick another bullet point with the hopes of maybe finding a loophole and actually contacting the seller.  The only way I'm able to get around it is to send the Seller my question through the eBay Mobile App on my phone. 

I am registered on the US site - even though I am in Canada, and I can get through to contact the seller.  Try logging on the .com site and see if it works from there...

[FiftyQuid]

I am registered on the US site - even though I am in Canada, and I can get through to contact the seller.  Try logging on the .com site and see if it works from there...

I originally signed up on the .ca site years ago.  I quickly learned that going to .com was best for searches, but my registration was already with .ca.  I haven't visited .ca for years now.  I default to .com. 

I don't mind using my phone to contact sellers, it's just a pain in the ass because I usually try through my computer first.

[hoobs88]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bathtile-2-Turbo-Duo-JP-GAME-/321001545957?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4abd2ee0e5

Bathtile 2 LOL