eBay advice needed

[KennyR]

I wouldn't usually use eBay (bidding is not my idea of fun) but I can't get a certain item anywhere else and I want it.

Two easy questions:

Is the reserve price able to be estimated from a recommended retail price for the item? For instance, if something is shown as having a usual store price of $60, can I guess what the reserve will be?

Is shipping from USA to Europe extortionate?

[KennyR]

Thanks, Jim. The item is not big, heavy or particularly fragile; I'd say the US shipping of $11 for it is a little steep. I'm concerned I'd have to pay $20 and wait 3 months or so just to get it shipped to my little island.

As for the reserve, I'm just concerned I'll bid too low and not get it, or bid too high and waste money. Or someone will bid $1 more and I won't get it. Argl, bidding sucks. :-P

[KennyR]

@tpg

:-) Sure, it's legal - nothing dangerous or sexual. I'm only secretive due to bidder's paranoia. ;-)

You should be asking the seller these questions, really. Don't be shy about voicing your concerns. And regarding bidding, just try to avoid "eBay fever."

I don't think there's much time left for a reply. Problem is its the only one being sold of this item that can be shipped worldwide...so if I miss it or I bid too low, I don't get it, and I may never get it.

Retail price is about $55. Current bid stands at $10...and reserve is not met. Now, if I suddenly bid close to retail I'm going to get burned, I know it. And if I don't, I'm going to get frozen. Oh decisions decisions...

[KennyR]

odin wrote:
If I were you I'd email the others sellers not shipping internationally anyway. More often than not they would be willing to ship it to Timbuktu after all, communicating helps alot on EBay.:-)

Yeah, helps annoy people. ;-) My sister has sold stuff on ebay for about a year and says the most annoying thing was getting constant emails from people asking if she'd ship abroad when she clearly stated she would only ship to the UK. I've seen quite a few threads on this very site saying the same thing.

[KennyR]

Haha, now a second copy of the item has appeared, and it's cheaper. ebay never makes it simple, does it?