@lacemaker3 wrote:
@anasazirose,
If you're going to take the view that everything has to be either black or white. Right or wrong. No possibility of a gray area. Then you're correct. Terapeak is wrong.
Nevertheless, Terapeak is still pretty much the most accurate information you can get anywhere, when it is interpreted with critical thought and judgement. If you will only accept data that doesn't require interpretation, there isn't any. There is no perfect data. If you insist on perfect, then you will either have to do without, or you will be deceived.
Data is not black or white, and neither right or wrong, it has no meaning of it's own. The data from Terapeak is just numbers, ones and zeros, nothing more. Without interpretation, it doesn't mean anything. Just like all other data.
I'm not trying to be difficult, condescending, pedantic, or snarky. This is the nature of data. One of the biggest difficulties with scientific research is that data can be misinterpreted. Once more information becomes available, the scientists may be able to see another interpretation, that fits the data better. This happens all the time, in science. Theories change, evolve, are replaced.
In the case of Terapeak, we need to consider what kind of definition could Terapeak be using for "paid". The information (paid or not paid) has to come from eBay, and eBay could be getting it from a couple of sources. The payment processor (MP or Adyen) could say that it was paid, but they might not be aware if the payment was fraudulent, or from a stolen credit card, because it might take months before that was determined. Or, the information might be from the seller marking an item paid, and eBay has no way to know if the seller was deceived or cheated. For very high payment amounts, the chances are that MP would not be involved, and who knows if the $5M payment went through a real escrow service or a fraudulent one.
The market data for beanie babies has been so mucked up by scammers, that the only meaning there is in the market data, is that is completely mucked up and useless. The only useful conclusion that can be drawn, is that the market data which apparently shows they have high value, is wrong. If you interpret the data by eliminating the high-priced outliers, you could probably get a better idea of the real value and demand for them (both fairly low).
In a very few cases, the sellers who supposedly sold items like high-priced beanie babies (or common old stamps or coins, for another example) have shared enough information for us to realize that they were dealing with scammers who were using the apparent high prices to take advantage of the sellers and steal from them. Most often, the scammers stole money in the form of gift cards, or delivery fees, or insurance payments, like the vehicle scammers do.
Recorded and reported data is supposed to be correct. Data can be incorrect but the time for interpretation and correction is before it's reported. Ofc, if data is found to be incorrect after it's reported, is needs corrected or at least noted beside it. Perhaps footnotes by cancelled sales or another column within Terapeak.
I def disagree that "Data is not black or white, and neither right or wrong"
You said, "I'm not trying to be difficult, condescending, pedantic, or snarky. " I never thought you were. I hope I don't come across that way either.
I still use Terapeak, just with a jaundiced eye because I know that while it's supposed to be accurate and for the most part may be right, but it can be wrong. Like a friend that tells the truth....most of the time. They can not be trusted.
I am enjoying downsizing our possessions on ebay, and as long as I'm getting more than yard sale prices, I'm smiling. I also like that I can come to the community for answers. Thank you for taking time to explain things, and for your opinion.
No matter what we can or can't sell on ebay and for how much, our TIME is our most precious possession, so thank you for giving me yours.
