How can anyone make money selling at these prices?

[eurydicesjewels]

I've always enjoyed searching around eBay for a variety of things and I do find that it is much harder to narrow my searches down to a compact return of items. 

My daughter asked me to watch a ring for her. Her birthday is coming up in a few weeks, so I said I would. She loves vintage pieces and this was a lovely one. It was an 18K  ring. 

The auction was started at $99. I waited until the last second to place my bid. I try to put in an amount I would like to buy it for, if I was really really lucky.  I placed mine and low and behold, won it for $102. 

I don't know who could ever make any money of an auction like this.  Are people really getting desparate for sales?

[dhbookds]

A number of people find "real" gold stuff in the 25c box at g sales.......

just saying........

[eurydicesjewels]

I wish I could be that lucky....lol, although I think I had my luck for the day.

[irinahat]

I once bought a box full of 200 vintage designer / signed vintage jewelry pieces, and I bought the whole box for $10 at a garage sale. I sold a bracelet for $300, a brooch for $200, and many more pieces for $50-150 total each.

So, it happens.

[variety_nook]

@eurydicesjewels, Several reasons. One such as @dhbookds stated. Also, some people may need the cash, others may have had a family member pass and they don't know what else to do with it, other than to auction for the best price so as to split the proceeds amongst family members, burial costs, etc. Others may not have a clue as to the item's worth, etc..... Only the seller knows ?????

[eurydicesjewels]

Boy, I have a lot to learn. I didn't think of any of those answers. Thank you all.

[muttlymob]

It was an auction.  The only control the seller has over the ending price is either in his starting price (start for the lowest he is willing to accept) or by using a reserve.

Short of these two things, either the seller did not know what he had, or he knew and was gambling that the auction would bring the price up to what he felt was market value.  Probably not the safest of gambles.

[lex-talon]

His loss is your gain. Some sellers especially newbies,  aren't 

sure of the true market value of their item. Congratulations on your win. 😊

[siayan]

There is just so much to look at that the buyer is overwhelmed. Where 150-200 or higher was the average views on an auction now it is 20-30. Some things are higher and some lower but that is the state of things in a nutshell.

[variety_nook]

You're Welcome, and it's really not a lot to learn.

My niece decided that she wanted to learn how to play a saxophone in music class when she was in High School. She found out that it was'nt for her. Long story short. 10 years later, being married with a daughter, she got tired of looking at it sitting on the top shelf of her closet.

She auctioned it on eBay with a "buy it know price" that was half what she (her parents, ) had paid for it. It sold for the "buy it now price" two hours later. 

[slippinjimmy]

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@variety_nook wrote:

You're Welcome, and it's really not a lot to learn.

My niece decided that she wanted to learn how to play a saxophone in music class when she was in High School. She found out that it was'nt for her. Long story short. 10 years later, being married with a daughter, she got tired of looking at it sitting on the top shelf of her closet.

She auctioned it on eBay with a "buy it know price" that was half what she (her parents, ) had paid for it. It sold for the "buy it now price" two hours later. 

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Getting 50% of the original price is not too bad, much better than what they would get at an instrument dealer or pawn shop.

[castlemagicmemories]

You're assuming everyone is out there seeking a profit.  Many sellers are just casual sellers who are cleaning out their closets or excess possessions; they just want to move things and get back some return.

[variety_nook]

@slippinjimmy Wrote: "Getting 50% of the original price is not too bad, much better than what they would get at an instrument dealer or pawn shop."

Exactly! And the funny part is, the lady who bought it was buying it for her 15 y/o son who wanted to learn how to play the Sax. She did'nt want to buy a brand new one because they were too expensive and she was afraid that he might not like learning how to play once he got one. Lol.......

Lesson for parents everywhere whose kids decide that they want learn how to play new instruments. 

[emerald40]

Could you show us the listing.

 Many people are used to retail where jewelry is sold at 200% profit.

How many grams of gold was it.  Were there any stones?  Which one?  Was it natural or synthetic?  Carat weight?

Was it new or used?

That may just be the fair price for it?

[steelernation2007]

You got a great deal on something and then make a post complaining about the fact the price was so low. SMH.