ebay shopping for scale models can be pricy option

eBay Shopping for Models--
Caveat Emptor!

eBay shopping brings the convenience of the world's biggest hobby shop right into your living room, and you may get a better bargain...but...

At any one time you will find over 4,000 listings under the title "Scale Models on eBay and depending on what you are looking for, the starting bid can be as low as .01 cent for a diecast HO scale Shelby Cobra to a high "Buy It Now" price of $1,800 for a Millennium Falcon Studio Scale Model Master Replica. Both were described as "new".

These two happen to be finished models, ready for display, but over a thousand auctions are for kits some as easy as a 25-year-old Bachmann HO Scale Model Ranch House to something as complex as a deluxe operating HO Scale wooden Roller Coaster.

But, when you look at eBay's completed auctions for model kits you find sold items ranging in prices indicative of a real savings and others who paid more than they could have bought the same item from their local hobby shop.

It is obviously a buying medium where you have to take care, make sure you know the item you are looking to purchase and knowledgeable about pricing.

On the other hand, it is foolish not to search eBay when you are considering a purchase.

It does appear eBay sellers are getting more and more familiar with scale model products and have a good idea of selling prices. You see this more and more in "auctions" with a starting price that's maybe a dollar under the retail price and a Buy It Now price even with the retail price or a dollar more. Both prices are well above wholesale and require a shipping fee that is anywhere from $2 above the shipping cost to double the shipping cost.

'Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me'. CAVEAT EMPTOR!!!

Tips to Keep In Mind

We know you'd pay just about any price to add that special item to your collection, but don't let anyone else know that!

Here are some tips on how to not overpay for items on www.Ebay.com.

Don't jump right in and bid a huge amount as soon as the item is listed.
This lets others know that the item is worth something and makes them want it more.
Keep your excitement in check and don't even bid on the item until the very end.
If you are terrible at remembering auctions, you can bid in the beginning - but make the minimum bid only. (This way you'll be reminded with ebay's daily auction notices, or you can always do a search of what you bid on recently - even if you've been outbid.)
This makes other bidders think you only would have bought it if you got a great price.
Then leave the bidding alone until the very end! Nothing raises bids faster than competition.
Snipe - see our sniping section to find out how. Basically, bid at the very last minute and bid the very most you could stand.
Research the kind of items you collect or regularly buy.
Can you find it just as cheap at the corner store?
If there are usually six of these on any given day, wait for the one with the lowest price.
Look around before you bid. You may find the exact same thing for half the price.

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eBay Shopping for Models--Caveat Emptor!

eBay Shopping for Models--
Caveat Emptor!