I’ve been noticing a trend where people and businesses on eBay and various forums are selling old, unused items at extremely high prices. I even have a few of these items in my watchlist, and some have been there for years without selling. It got me thinking—do you believe it’s really profitable to hold out for that one buyer who might eventually come along and pay a premium, or would it be better to lower the price, make a sale with a smaller profit, and reinvest the money quickly? I’m curious if waiting for the 'perfect buyer' is truly worth it in the long run, or if it’s a smarter strategy to sell sooner, even if the profit margin is lower. Would love to hear your thoughts and experiences on this!
What is your approach on trading business
- Thread starter HDemon
- Start date
They are not *selling* at silly prices, they are just *asking* silly prices and maybe once in a blue moon a gullible idiot comes along...! 
Selling my collection off this last year or two my idea is - get it sold. Once the decision is made to sell up then price it fair to the market going rate according to condition etc and move on.
Selling my collection off this last year or two my idea is - get it sold. Once the decision is made to sell up then price it fair to the market going rate according to condition etc and move on.
Sometimes someone is definitely an idiot and overspends if they really want a certain thing and think it's really rare.. these are generally emotional/nostalgia purchases for us!
Lots of dumb asking prices in other markets too, I see it in lots of hobby space.
Lots of dumb asking prices in other markets too, I see it in lots of hobby space.
Odd times I have listed something at High Price but it's only if it is something I'm not bothered about selling but if it does at set price then fine but there is no viable business if you just list at crazy prices and sell one item a year you can be a millionaire selling millions of items cheap, you only need to sell a million items at £2 you paid £1 for look at Music Magpie, buy for peanuts from lazy people and sell cheap now millionaires, so not really sure what planet these people are on but then many people think they have own business that doesn't even pay them a wage, to me only business I'd risk starting is one you know makes enough money to live on from beginning not hopefully in 5 years time
It's harder selling new stuff I've picked up these days than selling 2nd hand items because there are always others selling the items for peanuts like chinese sellers and anyone promoted to top of ebay list with ebay shop takes the business over private sellers
look at Music Magpie, buy for peanuts from lazy people and sell cheap now millionaires, so not really sure what planet these people are on but then many people think they have own business that doesn't even pay them a wage, to me only business I'd risk starting is one you know makes enough money to live on from beginning not hopefully in 5 years timeIt's harder selling new stuff I've picked up these days than selling 2nd hand items because there are always others selling the items for peanuts like chinese sellers and anyone promoted to top of ebay list with ebay shop takes the business over private sellers
It's hard for me to look at Amazon after having used Ali Express.. and then even harder to buy any electronics at all over here that I could buy on a trip to Hong Kong.
Shenzen makers + 10% markup = Hong kong vendors.
Hong Kong vendors + 10-15% = Ali express
Ali express + 20-25% markup = Amazon prices
Many exceptions, but it's quite crazy to see a laptop that is up to 50% cheaper in HK vs UK.
With a lot of the arcade part repros, it's 100% worth your while to search ali express/taobao etc. I've not seen "low quality knockoff" problems materialize that don't already exist on amazon.. amazon is literally just ali express with a markup these days!
Shenzen makers + 10% markup = Hong kong vendors.
Hong Kong vendors + 10-15% = Ali express
Ali express + 20-25% markup = Amazon prices
Many exceptions, but it's quite crazy to see a laptop that is up to 50% cheaper in HK vs UK.
With a lot of the arcade part repros, it's 100% worth your while to search ali express/taobao etc. I've not seen "low quality knockoff" problems materialize that don't already exist on amazon.. amazon is literally just ali express with a markup these days!
Basically all comes down to, pay more get it fast VS wait more pay less VS buy lot pay less = Amazon VS Aliexpress VS Alibaba. If you have idea how to fit in between this schema you can make millions.
Good points above - must admit AliX is hitting the sweet spot - compared to a year or two ago their free shipping over $10 and many times within a week now - even over Christmas is incredible. Plus the customer service is IME virtually 'no questions asked' siding with the customer and no quibble refunds or resolutions. If you're into motorbikes you'll know the Chinese really are taking over and I guess the same will happen to cars within a decade. The Chinese are not just coming but well on the way to taking over the West...
What amazes me is most don't seem to have any concern the Chinese are taking over in everything, ignore all the Battery products setting on fire is quite concerning, seems Health and Safety has left the planet with one of Elon Musk's space x rockets, sorry Kekius Maximus
I don't want any Chinese car or most modern cars unless its Japanese and even then not any makeThe fact you can hardly buy anything now of decent quality is so frustrating, I buy second hand quality items where ever possible and the least of anything new I can