If you block "him" though you can expect something like this. . . (these emails were from back in November, but I never posted them here yet.) Some pretty funny stuff in his reply. . .
First EmailI would like to buy it now on all the challenges you have listed but you have blocked me from bidding/buying, may I ask why? I am a titanium powerseller 3396 rated?
My ResponseHi Dave,
I believe your name is Dave? Sorry if I got it
wrong. The reason I blocked you is that the only
items I sell that you would be interested in are those
that you generally try to "corner" the market on -
things like H1-4, Greyhawk items, Silver anniversary
boxed sets, Dragons of Glory, Planescape, etc.
Of course, you are entitled to use whatever business
practices you like in order to succeed, however I find
it somewhat distasteful to see you constantly jacking
up the prices of things like Bloodstone Pass - then
when selling them yourself, you set very high reserves
to get back your investment. Even when you don't win,
bidding on these items causes the final sales price to
be consistently higher for everyone.
So, I feel that it is in my best interests to "block"
you. I don't want those who bid on my items to see
that they are bidding against Cougarrinard for an H
series module they want - it might discourage them
from bidding. Further, I would rather sell an item
for a few dollars less than see it resold by you for
an unreasonable amount of money.
I hope that doesn't sound too harsh - I am not trying
to insult you. . . however, that is the reason I have
you blocked and you did ask. . .
Feel free to email me back if you like - I have
nothing against you personally and hope you don't
resent me for my reasons.
Take care,
Paul
His Replythank you for the reply, very honest & open.
I wonder do you also block the other big names like darksaraphim, guico
the
gypsy, badmike books? or is it just me that your descriminating
against?
While I do sort of understand your reasons, I can see no advantage in
blocking one of the (and soon to be the) biggest D&D traders on Ebay.
It
would certainly help up the prices of your item if nothing else? I
am
almost sure that we have dealt successfully with each other previously,
and
blocking me becasue i may resell or make a profit seems anti-
commercial to
me? If everyone did this there would be no trade in th efree world
atall?
Manufacrturers would not seel their product for fear that wholesallers
may
turn a profit, wholesaller swould not pas anything onto retailers, and
consumers well the'd starve, but probably die of boredom first?
I do respect that you have the right to block/stop trading with anyone
you
choose, I just feel that as a titanium powerseller with 3395 rating I
am
being voctimised because of my hard work (& it has been hard sometimes
building my business from zero to what it is now) and feeling like
that if
i was a
newbie or a not so hard working small business man I would not
have
ben put on stop and we would not be having this conversation?
Again I thank you for your honesty & the reply
--dave
My Final ReplyDave,
Actually, I don't block any of the other resellers.
. . but I am not discriminating against you. First
off, I am a reseller myself and don't sell "lots". The
few items that I offer that may be of interest to
another reseller always end of going for more than
they would be willing to pay anyway. You are the only
reseller who will bid exceptional amounts of money for
items - sometimes far in excess of what they normally
go for. I realize that this is because of three
reasons: The exchange rate of the GBP, the fact that
you are willing to set high reserves on certain items
and also the fact that you sell independently outside
of eBay.
I could care less if another were to bid on my items
and resell for more money. The difference here is
that you try to control the market on certain items.
Let's take the most common example:
H1. You
consistently have one for auction with an extremely
high reserve set much higher than many are willing to
bid. Most regular collectors refuse to pay such a
high price and it is only the uniformed who tend bid
what you are looking for. Furthermore, you
persistently bid on every
H1 that is offered for
auction - but because you set such a high reserve for
your own resale, you bid exceptionally high when
trying to purchase. Other resellers are priced out as
are many potential buyers.
In the end, this helps only your own selling needs.
Since this is a free market, I have determined that my
own needs are best served by not encouraging this
method of buying/selling. I have carved out my own
little "niche" of selling accurately described items
for reasonable prices with low shipping costs. In the
end, I do fairly well. I accurately represent the
hobby and the current collector market and have 100%
positive feedback.
Your methods may best suit someone who is listing
hundreds of items, but my selling goals are on a much
smaller scale. As much as I do this to make some
extra money, I enjoy selling and redistributing
RPGitems. It's not all about making cash - this is as
much my hobby as a business.
My blocking you is just a drop in the bucket - it
doesn't really affect you at all. I have blocked
others who demonstrate business practices that I
disapprove.
(Incidentally, we haven't ever conducted business
together - I am sure you are a reliable seller/buyer -
my reasons are different, as I am sure I have just
explained)
Paul
"Gleemonex makes it feel like it's seventy-two degrees in your head... all... the... time! "