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In the case I mentioned where someone was selling a piece before they had even received it and bidding on another at the same time it could come off in a way that makes it seem like they aren’t bidding because they like the piece so much as they like winning a competition with other bidders.
I suppose this could rub someone the wrong way if they are bidding because they genuinely like the piece and feel they are receiving competition from someone who doesn’t care about the piece just winning the competition between bidders as it were.
It might not be that way at all. About a year ago, I bid on a pebble cat that I just loved! I won and paid for it….then an hour later one that I liked even better popped up. GAH! Now what? I spent my spare cash on one I loved, now there’s one I can’t live without! LOL :bigsmile: I think cases like that one happen a lot too.
I don’t buy the specials on ebay but I can see how it would bother someone who does…I can see trying so hard to get it, lose then there it is back again at an inflated price, I can see how that would be frustrating…..
4 things I'm looking for:
1. Mother Meerkat
2. production color Sitting Young Oriental dragons to be made in more colors besides VF, Brimstone would be awesome!
3. Female Griffin – Siamese with White
4. September Raffle Prize 2022 AHD Male GriffinI think that there is some reason to be concerned about this. This type of behavior can artificially inflate prices leading to a bubble, which leads to a crash. We’ve seen this effect so many things over the years from the Hunt Brothers and silver to the housing bubble, dot com bubble, stock market collapse, etc. While I’m not suggesting that the price of Windstone pieces would have a vast global effect, it certainly affects us, the people who love Windstone creations. Individual necessity happens, but if there are people using Melody’s art as a ‘flip’ to make money we all lose.
I have to agree. There really should not be any offences taken unless the party taking the offense is guilty. “flipping” Is a trend that seems to be creeping into every market. Inflating the Bubble too much will make it pop, surely. In the meantime… it is not fair to those who honestly want a piece and are working very hard to save for it. Those are the individuals who value Melody’s pieces the most.
I am not saying the people here that disagree with me are guilty of anything, they have the right to their view as well. I said that at the start. So to those that disagree with me, all the more to you for your viewpoint. No offending on here at all. (steps way back for any flying objects, hehe)
Just trying to understand a trend that is becoming more common as of late.Am I missing something?? I still don’t see how buying and reselling a
Special ebay piece… Effects anyone but the person who is the highest
Bidder…. I think its almost a give in… That you won’t be getting
More than you paid…. I’m sure there are a few exceptions.If your willing to pay top dollar for a peice that you know you might
Be taking a loss on…. I’m not seeing how this effects anyone
Other than the original owner. **shrugs**It affects the second place person as well that may have really really wanted it but just could not outbid a deep pocket person. And if they resell it for their bid price it is out of the second persons range or they may have offered it the first time.
Think of the bubble that has been mentioned in the thread, it gets very limited at the top and most of the collectors are out of the market in that range no matter how much they might want it.I am not pointing fingers at anyone, so no one person take offense, but there seems to be a trend as of late, last couple of months anyway, of people buying eBay Windstones and within a month or two turning around and selling them. At time this is without even taking them out of the box they were shipped in, heck as far as I know they do not even open the box to look at the piece.
I am confused why this would even be a concern to you???… I am sure every collector has a reason for letting go of a piece they they ended up being the high bidder on.
I am sure every collector does have a reason, and as a collector and forum member, and admirer of Windstones I have seen an increase in this trend and am concerned for the many that this practice takes out of the loop. It narrows those able to get them since those that do it now price it above the stand market price. It also inflates prices of ones I might want. Also narrows those that can now afford a piece as people need to recoup there money after being a high bidder. I don’t mean everyone can afford a Windstone special, but a market that is artificial inflated with this practice is bad for everyone collecting them in the long run. (take a look at housing)
I personally know of a few collectors who paid a lot for special Ebay Windstone’s,…
Price is not the issue in general, heck I have paid a lot for my specials as well 81 of them including a SK. And have lost bids on a lot more.
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How can you make the assumption that people don’t even take the pieces out of the boxes or for that matter even open the boxes?? Now I’m confused!! Not offended, just confused.
I am not assuming here at all, I am taking the comments directly from those that have been selling them, comments of “never been opened, or opened to just take pictures” have been stated by these same sellers. Some have been sold before the arrived even. Those were “waiting for them to arrive”.
In the case I mentioned where someone was selling a piece before they had even received it and bidding on another at the same time it could come off in a way that makes it seem like they aren’t bidding because they like the piece so much as they like winning a competition with other bidders.
I suppose this could rub someone the wrong way if they are bidding because they genuinely like the piece and feel they are receiving competition from someone who doesn’t care about the piece just winning the competition between bidders as it were.
It might not be that way at all. About a year ago, I bid on a pebble cat that I just loved! I won and paid for it….then an hour later one that I liked even better popped up. GAH! Now what? I spent my spare cash on one I loved, now there’s one I can’t live without! LOL :bigsmile: I think cases like that one happen a lot too.
And I understand that, if that is what is happening but it seems that would be just now and then, not as often as it has been happening. And you have the right to do this so my next comment is not meant in offense, but there always seems to be that next, must have, piece. Just seems to be happening a lot is what I am saying for this to be the reason. Maybe I am wrong and there are a lot of (again no offense here) wishy-washy people that oh and ah that next piece. I have worried about that sort of thing myself, saying what if one I like better comes along..I just say oh well if I like this one well enough with the limits I have to outbid someone for it then that is what I stay with, I am rare in that I know.
What this thread was for is for me to try and understand why this trend has picked up so much as of late and I am still not sure I have an answer. Are there that many more people flipping today, are there that many more people wanting the next one, I am just not understanding?
I like many of you do not want to see a bubble burst on Windstones, although it might make them more affordable. I want everyone to get a Windstone that wants one, and I want Windstone to succeed. They are great people and so are their fans.In the case I mentioned where someone was selling a piece before they had even received it and bidding on another at the same time it could come off in a way that makes it seem like they aren’t bidding because they like the piece so much as they like winning a competition with other bidders.
I suppose this could rub someone the wrong way if they are bidding because they genuinely like the piece and feel they are receiving competition from someone who doesn’t care about the piece just winning the competition between bidders as it were.
It might not be that way at all. About a year ago, I bid on a pebble cat that I just loved! I won and paid for it….then an hour later one that I liked even better popped up. GAH! Now what? I spent my spare cash on one I loved, now there’s one I can’t live without! LOL :bigsmile: I think cases like that one happen a lot too.
I mentioned that possibility in the post before the one you quoted, I basically meant to say that if it was happening a lot it may be misinterpreted.
I still don’t understand how it could be flipping since most of the time you can’t resell an ebay piece at much of a profit (if any at all). Most of the fast resells I’ve seen have been at or below the sell price (with possibly shipping factored in). Flipping implies buying something low and selling it at a much larger profit.
Most of the resells asking for a much higher price than ebay don’t sell unless it’s a VERY coveted piece.
Don’t get me wrong – I don’t love some of the ebay practices and quite often lose out on pieces I love because I’m not willing to damage my ability to pay the bills for a Windstone.
BUT, I don’t think this is a bubble – in general ebay prices are much lower than they used to be a few years ago. You see a piece now and then go really high, but many of them are very affordable.
I genuinely don’t understand what you’re concerned about. If the people trying to resell their items don’t find an audience to resell to, then they have to keep the piece. If they have to keep the piece, presumably, they won’t bid on the next one. It really seems like a self correcting problem. 🙂
Kiya’s point is true.
Have I seen lots of pieces being put back up for sale? YesHave I seen them sell for more than they were purchased to begin with? No, with the rare exception.
And ones I see that do get sold, as kiya pointed out, or sold for less or the same price………….Actualy, and this is my personal observation, I’ve seen more special pieces become available to more people because of this reselling. Hell, I was terribly tempted to bid on a few just recently, because they were going for less then the original price.
All seems good and fair in ebay to me.
I still don’t understand how it could be flipping since most of the time you can’t resell an ebay piece at much of a profit (if any at all). Most of the fast resells I’ve seen have been at or below the sell price (with possibly shipping factored in). Flipping implies buying something low and selling it at a much larger profit.
Most of the resells asking for a much higher price than ebay don’t sell unless it’s a VERY coveted piece.
Don’t get me wrong – I don’t love some of the ebay practices and quite often lose out on pieces I love because I’m not willing to damage my ability to pay the bills for a Windstone.
BUT, I don’t think this is a bubble – in general ebay prices are much lower than they used to be a few years ago. You see a piece now and then go really high, but many of them are very affordable.
I genuinely don’t understand what you’re concerned about. If the people trying to resell their items don’t find an audience to resell to, then they have to keep the piece. If they have to keep the piece, presumably, they won’t bid on the next one. It really seems like a self correcting problem. 🙂
Thank you Kiya for saying what I was trying to get across! 🙂
Kalandra
I don’t know. I think there are a lot of reasons people do it, some of which I can understand, some of which I can’t. Sometimes it’s getting caught up in the moment and realizing you’ve paid more than you should. Sometimes it’s just timing where you find you really want that next piece more than the first. Sometimes it’s a person who just enjoys having something new, and uses the older pieces to fund their new pieces (and sometimes they don’t make it out of the box before they’re “old” pieces). Honestly, there are a few, I’m sure, that are the victims of addiction.
I can’t say that it matters to me so much as that I’m jealous of those that can purchase an ebay piece without batting an eye. I’m even jealous of those who scrimp and save to get one, just one, ebay piece. The fact is, until and unless I make a lot more money than I do, I simply can justify a huge chunk of change up front. And THAT is why I can’t be too jealous. The price of those pieces generally only goes down. AND, while ebay transactions require all that cash up front, when they’re resold on this forum, sometimes you can make payments on them, making them not only more affordable overall, but more attainable due to smaller payments over time. I got my only ebay piece by paying in smaller payments (though, alas, it wasn’t less than the original owner paid).
I do have to shake my head sometimes, but overall, even if I don’t understand, the original purchasers make the ebay pieces more attainable to the rest of us.
I too have a “special”Ebay piece due to someone buying the piece and reselling it to me,at cost,in payments.Otherwise,it would never have happened because I don’t have that much money up front to win one directly off Ebay.I am currently getting my second piece the same way…due to a member being generous enough to let me make payments.I don’t ask them why they are parting with it,I am just thrilled that I got the chance to get it.I have some marvelous pieces of Windstones due to this and I am grateful.With today’s economy,that is a blessing.Otherwise,I would never have been able to get them directly from Ebay and I know I am not alone in this.If I had a lot of spending money,I would have as many of them as possible and I am sure I would at some point or another,resell one.I have watched MANY beauties go bye-bye as I watched and said,aww,oh well.Another will come along. I am okay with that.That’s what a collecting of something is.Enjoying it,loving what you have,the simple pleasure of paying a coveted piece off and having it arrive as hard earned yours,loving them everyday.To me,that is what collecting them is.It does not matter to me in the slightest why someone bought and resold a piece,nor do I think it is anyone’s business what I do with mine.They are personal objects and I honestly believe it is noone’s business but their own just like anything else in their homes.Granted,we might not agree with how they handle their collection but alas,it is theirs.Everyone wants to make a profit if possible but many of us don’t do that here to each other.It never hurts to ask the person,if possible,that wins that special piece you have wanted,that if they are not in love with it to possibly consider selling it to you.It does happen here.And to those that get them and resale them,please take this into consideration when reselling,especially to a member here.
I so understand how you want one so baaad and lose it in the end but we can’t have them all.Just love what you have and if you don’t,let someone else.Just my .2 :bigsmile:Every act matters.No matter how small💞
(Wanted......Brimstone Lap)
Male Hearth....one day🤞Dream on.I have to agree with many of you, that sometimes you just don’t love the peice you get. Images can be deceiving, and when you duke it out on eBay for a special peice, pay your top dollar to win it, then open the box to … not disappointment … but not love at first sight either. Some people (myself included) who find themselves feeling this way, would want to sell right away…and what better way to emphasize “MINT” than to say it’s been kept in it’s original box the whole time…I bet this happens more often than not, so that their money can be spent on a Windstone creation they love. Just my two cents 😀
Wanted: "Dragon Fruit" Male Dragon ~ "Fire Berry", "Paradise", "Dragon Fruit", "Tie Dye" ~ The brighter, the better!
I wish I knew how to multiple quote, because I can think of five posts that echo my sentiments on an array of aspects.
Summary for me, when I sell a special eBay piece, I list it on the forum one of three ways:
1. Purchase price plus shipping to me.
2. Average price of what comparable piece is selling for on the market plus shipping.
OR,
3. The value I hold for the piece. Example, if I feel I got an astronomical deal through eBay, and would never resell it for that price.I do have to say….I have been disappointed opening an eBay piece. It does make you want to sell right away, so you can afford the next piece that may come along. Of course, 99% of the time I am walking on air!! :bigsmile:
I love that we have a forum here that we can sell to other members and take/make payments on pieces. I think this gives someone a chance to own thier coveted piece without having to pay eBay all at once. A lot of us can’t do that all the time. This makes these pieces accessible to more of us that love them but are on a budget.
I agree with drag0n when she talks about the inflated prices of GB pieces. For example, I don’t collect unicorns. Was I tempted to buy a GB and resell it???? For shame, yes, I was. Did I? No, I didn’t. Not everyone feels this way. For me, I feel Melody should be getting this money, since she was generous enough to offer it at that price.
I worry that each GB will be released for a higher and higher price (which I do not blame WS for), until they are out of range for a lot of collectors. How frustrating must it be for Melody to release a GB and see it relisted lated for $75 to $100 more than she sold it for?
I hope this doesn’t sound confrontational and no one takes it personally, because it is definitely not meant that way. In fact, with Melody’s wonderful work, I can see how someone would have a VERY hard time letting a GB go for what they paid for it.
Edit: I forgot to say, bidding/trading through the forum for a GB I see differently, as some people could have missed out on the edition entirely. If I miss the GB dragons I will have to (hopefully) fine a way to buy one. So, yes, I am hoping the prices don’t rise…and rise…and rise.
Maybe it’s because I’ve been so broke since…forever, or maybe I was just raised in a practical family, I dunno, but I just don’t get the hurt feelings.
I sincerely don’t.
In the end, it’s a pretty piece of art made to sit on a shelf and glitter. And collect dust. To a certain extent, some pieces are an investment, but as demonstrated by the special piece reselling, some pieces aren’t. It isn’t life or death. You won’t wither away and die without it (no, really, you won’t, promise!!). I’ve seen a few things I would just love to have on my shelf, but can’t afford them, and that’s fine. If the buyer wants to resell later, that’s their prerogative a la Bobby Brown.
You didn’t get what you wanted? So what? I want a jacked up Ford F150 Raptor, but it’s not going to happen anytime soon either. You aren’t entitled to anything and the people that bought those pieces don’t owe anybody anything either.
I suppose this might be a little harsh, but this is what crosses my mind every time I see someone post about the price of a piece they wanted that was out of their reach. Carry on.
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