Posted By:
Josh K.Barry,
Whether the listing fee is small or not is irrelevant. Ebay does get paid to list the item. Yes, they get paid more if it sells, but that doesnt mean sellers cant end a listing early for any reason they choose. If ebay doesnt like "losing" money on a potential sale, then their solution is to increase listing fees and decrease final value fees.
Finally, you state:
"But you wouldn't dare call Mastro or REA or Leland's in the middle of one of their auctions and ask them if they would sell you a lot outright. Nobody would even have the nerve to do that. So why then is it perfectly acceptable on ebay?"
Well, this isnt true either. While I agree it is highly unusual, it does happen. First, Ive seen plenty of auctions in which lots have been withdrawn - what makes anyone believe that those werent private sales? Second, just last week one of the auction houses (Lelands?) sold the the Pete Rose autographed apology balls for 30k after receiving an offer to purchase was received. The offer was accepted and the balls were removed from an upcoming auction - how is it that everyone has forgotten this already?