eBay

Anonymous · ‎11-13-2024

I don't sell on eBay. I can only imagine why a product that retails for $300 ends up on eBay for $800 and eBay allows it. Between here and Amazon I'm getting fed up with scalpers and the complacency of the platform-- motivated by the juicier cut off of the inflated price. eBay updated their terms to narrow price gouging to essential items during a time of crisis. Who cares what holiday shopping is ruined because scalpers and their scripted bots buying up all retail stock as soon as it becomes available. I reported 4 listings for gouging where the item is out of stock from the supplier, but definitely all over eBay, for up to double the retail value. I stopped when none of them had been determined to be doing anything wrong by eBay. How do we take matters into our own hands? This behavior isn't free market, it's damaging.

powell-collectibles · ‎11-13-2024

It is the free market. You take matters into your own hands by not buying anything that you feel is too expensive.

kathiec · ‎11-13-2024

@Anonymous

First, you need to look up the definition of "scalper", because it doesn't mean what you think it does. Second, unless the item has been deemed an essential good, such as masks during the pandemic, sellers have the right to charge whatever the market will bear. That's actually the definition of "free market", so you might want to look that one up as well.

I have a feeling that if AI could laugh the eBay bots would have had a good one at you reporting a listing for *gasp* listing something for more than the retail price. That actually would be called price fixing, and it's illegal.

I'm curious how you plan to "take matters into [your] own hands"?

chevymontecarlo88 · ‎11-13-2024

@kathiec wrote:
@Anonymous
First, you need to look up the definition of "scalper", because it doesn't mean what you think it does. \

When i think of scalpers, it reminds me of this guy from a movie long ago. Some may remember this.

Fast Times Scalper.png

- Roasting id

stainlessenginecovers · ‎11-13-2024

ebay (nor amazon) updated ANYTHING regarding 'price gouging' as that term has ALWAYS been for items needed during a crisis ie. water/plywood for a hurricane coming, disinfectants/masks during Covid etc.

A 'video game' machine can very well be $300 from the manufacture and many pay $300 when they could and then resell for $500, $800.

It's called 'capitalism' and is 100% allowed on this site as well as legal in all walks of life.

Concert and Sports playoff tickets have been doing that for 80+ years.

bonjourami · ‎11-13-2024

"When i think of scalpers, it reminds me of this guy from a movie long ago. Some may remember this."

Yes..Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

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“Never pick a fight with an ugly person. They don’t have anything to lose.” ~Robin Williams

bonjourami · ‎11-13-2024

"How do we take matters into our own hands?"

Probably not a good idea to make threats on a public board.

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“Never pick a fight with an ugly person. They don’t have anything to lose.” ~Robin Williams

1786davycrockett · ‎11-13-2024

Supply and demand is the basis of capitalism.

If the items in which you are interested are not available at the price which you desire to pay, the answer is simple: don't buy the items, or pay the higher price.

And you do not "take matters into our own hands" -- unless you wish to be arrested.

kensgiftshop · ‎11-13-2024

@Anonymous wrote:
How do we take matters into our own hands?

You do what those sellers do, buy the item before it's out of stock.

Unless it's an essential item, it's not price gouging, it's business.

Have a great day.

bonanza125 · ‎11-13-2024

You are a little confused. Price gouging is for emergency products only in your local area. This is an online marketplace. If someone has items up for sale for 3 times the value they have that right especially on used merchandise. EBay will not remove those ads. Are they priced ridiculously sure. I don’t see buyers lining up to make purchases on those items however it’s not considered illegal price gouging.

mountainmommie · ‎11-13-2024

People think America operates on a free market system but we are no longer in the top 10 countries of economic freedom. Not when you look at statistics. We have way too much regulation and government spending to be considered an actual free market. "Free market" is a general term that best describes what the majority of people want to believe. It's imaginary. Like what I want to weigh or what social media pictures are with filters.

That said, it's still what you gotta buy the gift lists with. I've started to revise my younger kids' expectations. I love my kids but when gaming consoles run as much as rent payments, something has got to give. FOMO has got my 20-somethings up to their ears in credit card debt, living with me, driving my cars, waiting on my turkey to come of my oven and their 3 degrees to "manifest."

Free market my butt.

Love,

The MBA-Educated GenXers

stainlessenginecovers · ‎11-13-2024

@mountainmommie wrote:
People think America operates on a free market system but we are no longer in the top 10 countries of economic freedom. Not when you look at statistics. We have way too much regulation and government spending to be considered an actual free market. "Free market" is a general term that best describes what the majority of people want to believe. It's imaginary. Like what I want to weigh or what social media pictures are with filters.

That said, it's still what you gotta buy the gift lists with. I've started to revise my younger kids' expectations. I love my kids but when gaming consoles run as much as rent payments, something has got to give. FOMO has got my 20-somethings up to their ears in credit card debt, living with me, driving my cars, waiting on my turkey to come of my oven and their 3 degrees to "manifest."

Free market my butt.

Love,
The MBA-Educated GenXers

You should be asking for a refund from that college that you got that MBA from simply because they missed 3rd Grade comprehension:

A "Free Market" has NOTHING to do with 'Economic Freedom' and it matters NOT what 'ranking' the USA is in the latter.

I can ask what I want for my goods and that 'alone'- is a "Free Market".

Feel free to send me $20,000 for that piece of education that your college missed.