just wondering and typing...

[Feraud]

I am sitting around reading various posts. I see a lot of "I won" type threads with links to auctions. In other conversations people wonder about the skyrocketing prices at auction sites.
I know we are causing this skyrocketing competition with our "look what I just won on Ebay!" threads.
No offense meant to anyone who posts in this manner but I cannot help wonder if everyone would be better served if these threads start with a "this is my new ____ hat". The intention should be to show off the hat, not advertise an auction site and/or create increased impulsive competition.
What do you think? Is all fair in love and war? Do you not mind paying a few extra bucks? Is it way too late for me to be typing?

 

[Tony in Tarzana]

On the other hand, seeing the prices good hats are getting on eBay might encourage folks to look in their closets and put some wonderful old lids on sale that might have just continued to sit on a shelf, or gone to Goodwill or just, heaven forbid, have been thrown away.

It's worth thinking about.

 

[Spatterdash]

I agree that vintage fans can improve the items seen on eBay, but having a hard-core base of collectors sure makes it hard for a new person to bid on most items, even a moderate first hat or coat. Some people have to have yet another Dobbs. I don't wear vintage hats, I turn to hat makers for my lids, but I know a few who never can get a decent hat and they have been trying for years.
It also increases the fairly flippant use of the word 'vintage', making education on the part of the shopper even more important.

I'll say this, though. Overall it is a really good thing that vintage folks are making their tastes known as it has led to a more detailed and informative description of the items up for bid.
Instead of "vintage bowtie, just like new!", now we see materials, sizing, brand names, decade of origin and accurate uses of terms.
Well, we see more of it, at any rate.
That trumps stiff bidding competition any day in my book. Besides, the longer this goes on, the more people I can send to hat makers so that they get exactly what they want.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

well, the idea of skyrocketing prices is, i think, something of a myth.

A mint condition, rare fedora, well listed is the only one that will get a price anywhere near what it's worth (excepting the odd anomalous bidding war).

I wouldn't worry.

bk

 

[jake_fink]

"Skyrocketing" may not be the right word, but prices are by and large getting higher on Ebay for certain items. Hats are generally going for a lot more than they did say, three, four, five years ago. There's also the "enthusiastic newcomer" effect that hoists some auctions well above what seems reasonable - to me anyway. This is when someone with an empty closet decides they must fill it with hats by the end of next week and begins bidding like a meth freak.

I agree with Feraud on at least the I WON part. There is something kind of childish about the capitalized I WON (where are the multiple exclamation points?). It's not Fight Club here; control your trophy grabbing testosterone and show us your hats. We'll all be pleased for you. Though I almost certainly didn't bid against you, I just don't appreciate someone crowing like a frat boy at a kegger.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

that's an interesting point, Jake. Maybe some of those threads are a little "look how much i can pay", "check out my spending power" type of thing also?

I typically wait for things to arrive, then photo them myself (not that i've been buying much from eBay recently - a couple of things only).

bk

 

[jake_fink]

that's an interesting point, Jake. Maybe some of those threads are a little "look how much i can pay", "check out my spending power" type of thing also?

I typically wait for things to arrive, then photo them myself (not that i've been buying much from eBay recently - a couple of things only).

bk

That seems to be a more rational and interesting way of doing things. Items are not always what you might want them to be, so who cares about the ebay listing itself. I'd much rather see the item being put to use and/or read a member's assessment than see just a link to the auction and a big LOOK WHAT I WON!

 

[Feraud]

That seems to be a more rational and interesting way of doing things. Items are not always what you might want them to be, so who cares about the ebay listing itself. I'd much rather see the item being put to use and/or read a member's assessment than see just a link to the auction and a big LOOK WHAT I WON!

Exactly. I too prefer to see the item in hand (on head?) as opposed to the auction photo you have purchased it from.
Linking an auction reminds me of flashing a sales receipt to show an item.
We all know where to buy hats and their approximate prices, so is where and how much you paid necessary?

 

[Shaul-Ike Cohen]

Though I probably wouldn't do that ib this form myself, I think there's good reason to judge pro reo. I see it less as bragging than as joy that spills over and just has to be shared with those few others who appreciate what it's about.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Maybe some of those threads are a little "look how much i can pay", "check out my spending power" type of thing also?

Just as often, they say "look at how little I paid", and "check out my frugal spending power". Which is fine.

I'm annoyed by a "LOOK WHAT I WON" thread when the item won turns out to be, er, "no great shakes". Nonetheless, I'd never rain on the winner's parade by saying so.


.

 

[mikepara]

Fact is..

Most of us look into these Auction sites, even if not buying, on a regular basis. If its a really nice item we may have even bid for the same item finally 'won' by someone else from the lounge. Thus already having a working example of the item and its worth.

Not mentioning price or where aquired would frustrate me. When I first walked into the lounge I had hardly any items of vintage. I wouldn't have had a clue of going values, vintage trends, or bargain prices if it was soley "I bought this", for every thread.

However I never spend much and I tend to just show the item and invite any interested parties to ask questions.

What should be discouraged is the posting of live auctions that's creeping in at the mo.

 

[Feraud]

What should be discouraged is the posting of live auctions that's creeping in at the mo.

I believe live auctions are a no-no.
I would never want anyone to not show off any item they enjoy and want to share.
My intended points of this discussion is the free advertising for auction sites, showing our "receipts"(post auction link), and the discussion of potentially inflated prices. Any discussion of hat quality or sources can certainly be gleaned through various posts or p.m.
Discussion of price between vendor and consumer are usually reserved for p.m., except when it comes to Ebay? hmmmm...

 

[Twitch]

Interesting slant on the subject but I set a personal limit on any item, hats included, and never surpass it. I see Ebay as an ocean and the waves sometimes come in big and sometimes small. I've seen things go for high prices with stupid bidding and I've seen cars and other items owners' insulted with pitifully low bids. Every time I see some crazy price paid from wild bidding in a couple or few days there's a similar or identical item the waves bring in that no one bids on at all!

 

["Doc" Devereux]

I see Ebay as an ocean and the waves sometimes come in big and sometimes small. I've seen things go for high prices with stupid bidding and I've seen cars and other items owners' insulted with pitifully low bids. Every time I see some crazy price paid from wild bidding in a couple or few days there's a similar or identical item the waves bring in that no one bids on at all!

Now ain't that the truth. Earlier in the year I picked up an Eastman Luftwaffe jacket that had been tried on and not wanted for a relative pittance with the only bid, and one in far less pristine condition went the following week for twice what I paid after a flurry of competition.

You never can tell, eh? [huh]