Members, I want to raise an issue that has concerned me for some time now.
It's the posting of 'active' eBay ads on the site.
I want to gauge the feeling amonst the community about this practice to see if it will continue or be banned.
My concerns are 2 fold and relate to:
- buyers wanting to hopefully snag themselves a bargin with an eBay auction
- sellers pushing and talking up their watches on an eBay auction
By adding and chatting about 'active' eBay sales we are denying other members that chance of picking up a bargin and highlighting a watch that may otherwise have gone un-noticed.
My preference is to dis-allow this and only post eBay related information 'post' auction. Having post auction information is useful as it shows what a watch was sold for, thus gives a guide to the market value.
I'd appreciate other members thoughts and concerns about this issue.
Are we doing more harm than good and as such ban 'active' eBay sales or should we leave things as they are and allow it?
Over to you the members of myBulova.com
I can see your point Admin... I guess I'm ok either way.
The only thing I guess for me is that I only post the watches that I'm not bidding on!! haha... If I post an active listing it's one that I either can't afford.... or not super interested in, but that's not say that someone on here wouldn't be interested in buying it if they knew about it.
Though I know what your saying about driving the price of it up by letting others on here know about it... that does suck of your trying to get a deal.
I guess it comes down to letting others do they're own hunting/finding.
Doesn't bother me, what I do like is the way some things I wouldn't have found getting pointed out for me to look at, like the Corrigan in parts and the hands lot that was up for sale, it also creates debate.. Then of course when the auction has finished, unless you have saved it then the link can't be easily searched for, so its either an outright ban on all ebay and sales related posts/links or not at all in my book.
The only reason I put links to some for sale is because I keep getting emails from people looking on here asking if the watch is for sale. Saves me multiple emails telling them the same thing and giving the link. I am also not sure that showing it post auction really gives the market value. I can sell two watches, near identical one would got for £100 more than the other...thats ebay, more about luck and demand than anything else.
oh and sorry if you think my posting of that deco date watch had anything to do with you losing it (and probably prompting this thread). I just found it very unusual and wanted to share the thing before it was gone. Would you have paid anywhere near that just for the hands? Dont know who got it but that was a lot to pay for an old broken watch for which parts must be scarce.
My view is that this site needs to have separate sections, as aforementioned... Otherwise, WHY would anyone "in the know" (who sells watches, parts and/or accessories) ongoingly contribute so MUCH time, info and ENERGY, here!?
I just love it when "collectors+" talk about "monetizing" the dialog... There are two types of watch affectionados here, or anywhere else... Those who are involved (primarily) as a business venture/s. And those who are "collecting" that which is restored, preferrably with a story behind it?
Those of us here who go the extra mile+ are NOT typical "monkey see/do" resellers and collectors... And the APPEAL of Bulovas is frankly MOREOVER the fact that everything ISN'T already known about these timepieces, they are not (yet) comparritively OVERVALUED, and it's CHALLENGING to R &D additional model names, to discerning what hands or dial options, were offered?
I started "naming" Bully models, because I wanted to expand this Niche into the next "Hamilton." I still have many model IDs I didn't list here, precisely because I wanted to give OTHERS the chance to do so, as well... And ALSO since I recently bought 100+/- Bulovas, to resell. And in my opinion... if this site is to ATTRACT and MAINTAIN BOTH areas of "interest..." then there needs to be a more defined, then refined (AREA specific) compartmentization of dialog/debate to official ARCHIVING, of the various models PROVEN as namesakes!?
And it's frankly easy enough to add areas/webpages like photo links to "unknown" models... to peruse, visually. Or to also add an eBay affiliate account and parsed feeds to live auctions, searching say "vintage bulova watch" and make more revenue, than with AdWords. And/or to offer a section for "for sale" watches, for a small fee, via PlayPal? So NOT monetizing this site with any means of revenue generation, is frankly NOT GOING TO expand the scope, NOR THE DEMAND... If that's the intent (i.e. to merely keep it "as is") then I suspect in these economic times, the fall out will be SWIFT... when those who are TRYING TO make a living selling watches and related stop contributing, all together???
TWO CASES, IN POINT: I ID'd several dozen models here (approx. 1/2 for others) to increase DEMAND... (And to be "helpful." :-) And the last two/three models I posted here (currently for sale/sold by Philip "el-ooose," on eBay UK) sold within a few HOURS of my having posted them HERE, and often the crystals with similar linkage from my Watch-Crystals.com eBay store. eBay is nearly DEAD in 2010+ and THAT IS the main issue for sellers! And given an ALTERNATIVE, not many of us LIKE having NO ALTERNATIVE to making Wall Street (and those who OWN Wall Street) BIG money...And NO TIME/SKILLS to create a BETTER ALTERNATIVE!?!?
BEST :-) Scott
In reply to My view is that this site by WatchCrystals.net
In reply to uhhh.. you and your writing by plainsmen
I had aready put in a sniper bid. When Stephen showed great interest in the watch, I wanted to help Stephen acquire the watch. I have a case like it already. I thought about the last sentence in the description bold print & thought our Australian mate would not be eligable to win. My statement to Stephen should have been private.
I am sorry but no international bidders.
I don't think it's a good idea to post active ebay listings on these pages, simply for the reasons You gave admin. I would however like to see a Buy, Sell or Trade in set price form section within the site itself, even then how is control over any transaction held with internet fraud and identity theft running rampant? I received a suspicious email in 'broken English' only this morning about the price of one of My watches, none of which have been offered for sale.
I've noticed certain watches being 'bumped' to the top of the viewing list and I'm sure You have also. Keep the site informative and keep the ebay listings off the pages. If You've found something You feel is interesting keep it to Yourself, those who are avidly looking have already found it..
My 2c.
In reply to I don't think it's a good by FifthAvenueRes…
In reply to I don't think it's a good by FifthAvenueRes…
In reply to Mark, I gather you meant keep by mybulova_admin
Yes, it's simply not Cricket to broadcast an active listing when some members may have put countless hours of searching and research in.
Even when an auction is over as Gary stated admin prices can swing by hundreds of Dollars on the same model, which I've witnessed, so posting what something sold for really has no bearing on 'what it's worth'.
Leave the eBay off is all I'm saying, what is ultimately done is the decision of the site owner.
IMO.
In reply to Yes, it's simply not Cricket by FifthAvenueRes…
Post eBay prices can be a useful 'guide' to what a watch is worth on the open market IMO. Yes depending on the day and luck they can vary dramatically, but it's still a good starting point for people hoping to get an estimate. I very often get asked what a watch is worth and the best I can suggest is to have a look what they are going for on eBay.
In reply to I would hate to see this site by Bob Bruno
Interesting Subject, I would agree that this site is not ment to promote one's selling activities, but to promote the awareness of the Bulova Legend by putting a "Name" on our watches and maybe increasing the value too. (it seems to be working!)
A post auction archive for those who want to know "what is my watch worth" would be great, and make it members only to build up the member base.
I don't know much about websites, but some that I have found have a link to sellers items and selling sites like eBay. I'm sure that it would generate $$ for the site as long as it brings you back to the site when you close the window.
Others have a "For Sale" section which I would like to see on this site for parts, ect... maybe extra revenue would help buy information to correctly ID the many watches that are posted here. (Hey Bulova! are you listening!!)
If I was looking at buying something on eBay, This would be the last place I would want to post a picture and link to find out what it is before it ended! (too many snipers out there!)
I sell items on the bay, but I don't promote it here.
No links or posts on a active auction is fine with me.
Greg
In reply to Posting information about a by llurkin
As an active Ebay seller making my living restoring and selling watches I have never even considered promoting my listings here at mybulova nor would I.
Personally, I'm opposed to Ebay listings at mybulova. Ebay prices can be all over the map and do not, IMO, provide accurate valuations for any watch. Anyone can seach out a bargain there, they don't need any help from this sight.
I would like to see mybulova.com remain what it was started out to be. A sight dedicated to collector's, providing information, and the collective knowledge of it's membership to identify model ID's. Sharing of idea's, theory's and personal opinions has lead to several major discoveries this year alone. ie: The "Academy Award Q & R" .
Why pollute the sight with Ebay?
Regards Shawn
In reply to As an active Ebay seller by bourg01
Hi People!
I think that 90% of watch collectors already use Ebay as the main stream for buying and selling watches and what ever you do here is not going to change a thing, but to your own members. There are alot of other sites that talk about ebay and other members from here also use other sites.
I think that if a person is diligent in finding watches, then they will find them on their own on ebay and the post wont matter much, as for getting a good deal? a watch will only bring as much as anyone one will pay for it, and I dont think that one person making a post about it is going to make much of a differance.
As for trying to generate more money for yourself by posting your own listings for the purpose for profit or gain, then that may cross the line a bit. But lets face it, you sell ad space to help the site, the people here as well as other sites promote their buisness, like dial refinishing, crystal sales, watchmaking, leather straps, ect.
These things make people WANT to be here so they can get help with this hobby, as well as make a buck.
I guess that is what a forum site is all about in the end. a place to share information, make friends, and learn. as long as no one gets hurt, leave it alone.
jmo ..... Mike...
I'm glad to see this topic is still alive as it allows me another opportunity to reinforce our policy here that no 'active' ebay listing are allowed in posts. If anyone reads through this fourm topic they will no doubt get the sense that the majority of members agree with this policy as the sales and prices of vintage Bulova's don't offer a great deal of help with sourcing information about a watch, other than what someone is willing to sell/pay for the item.
It only helps promote a sale. Trust me I could have benefited from this practice myself, but in the end prefer to restrict this site to historical ebay sales only.
I thank you all for your continued suport in this matter.