Frank,

Ebay is no different from any other auction, and for that matter, any other
purchase.

Know what the item is worth TO YOU.  Set that limit, and go no higher.

I used to attend a lot of bankruptcy auctions, and it is amazing what kind
of deals you can get.  It is also amazing how many folks screw themselves
(and then blame the auction house).

Your only enemy at an auction is yourself.

Karl Wolz
----- Original Message -----
From: "Frank Grunthaner" <FrankGRUN@AOL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, January 21, 2000 8:54 AM
Subject: Re: Interesting item on eBay web site item#237685424:
VW,AUDI,PORSC...

> Had to comment here.
>
> The sucker coefficient on eBay is astounding. I found that people often
pay
> retail or higher (!) for used or opened hardware (from computer stuff
through
> test equipment, video and auto/stereo hardware on to vanagon related
items).
> They pay amusing shipping and handling charges (amusing if you are not the
> one paying) compared to what a legitimate business charges. They often
must
> prepay by money order, so there is no fraud recourse. Finally, I found
many
> businesses placing auction items with an ad for their web page. If you
follow
> the link you will find the item for sale on their page for less than the
> auction reserve amount.
>
> This appears to be a great scam zone, or a very profitable point for a low
> volume small business. So Ken, I would suggest it could be an easy source
of
> cash from the ignorant.
>
> I should also say that I have found a few things such as Vanagon Camper
model
> kits for which I only paid a factor of 2 over the original retail.
> Unavailable otherwise.
>
> Frank Grunthaner
>