Used Reloading Equipment on eBay

JayCee · December 9, 2008, 10:43 PM

Been looking for another powder measure, and thought I'd try eBay. Thought I'd find a good deal, but the prices being bid for used powder measures seem to be running 80-90 percent of the cost of a new item! I've even seen bids for more than retail price on more than one occasion. What's up with this? Is there some sort of shortage of reloading equipment, or do folks just not know how much a new item costs? I basically refuse to pay more than 50 percent for something sight unseen, so I finally just decided to go ahead and buy a new measure. Probably paid only about 15 bucks more than I'd have paid on eBay.

dardascastbullets · December 9, 2008, 10:49 PM

Gotta be careful of the auctions where there are 'plants' that artificially bump up the price. I would recommend other auction sites such as reloadersauction.com. E-Bay is anti-gun as well as Paypal. Reloadersauction.com has great items and a very large selection at that.

JayCee · December 9, 2008, 11:15 PM

Thanks, I'll check 'em out!

wncchester · December 10, 2008, 11:27 AM

"I've even seen bids for more than retail price on more than one occasion. What's up with this?"

No one is telling me anything to explain this but it sure is true!

I suspect a lot of newbies either believe that because an item is being sold used it will be a good deal OR, if they check at all, they check full retail prices. I started buying a few items from time to time on eBay some years ago, selling prices were rational if not cheap at that time. Not now, and I too limit my bids on used things to half or less of new so it's rare that I "win" anything on eBay these days. Some of those bid prices tempt me to sell my old stuff and get new, basically for free!

I'm happy for the sellers though. No matter the bid price, the buyers can't say they were ripped off. As always, it's the buyer who establishes what anything is worth to him!

The Terminator · December 10, 2008, 11:39 AM

It is called shill bidding. It happens all of the time. It is against the "rules", but is really not enforceable. It goes back as far as any type of auctions ever held.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shill

vranasaurus · December 10, 2008, 12:17 PM

I agree on ebay you can find the occasional deal.

I was looking for a set of 9mm dies, shell plate, die plates, and a 45 ACP crimp die and found nothing for less than I could get it from an online store I have dealt with in the past.

I did however pick up a used RCBS .223 lube die for $20 shipped. Which I think is a fairly good deal since they cost at least $33 plus shipping.

There are deals to be had on ebay but you have to look hard.

BigJimP · December 10, 2008, 01:01 PM

That's why I think most of the internet auction sites are a waste of time.

I order the stuff I need from the mfg or a good local dealer - so if I have an issue, I can take it back or discuss a solution with the retailer. The internet is good for some things like books, CD's ..... but not for tools, reloading stuff, guns, etc in my opinion - and even when I use the internet, I prefer to deal with outlets that also have a brick and mortar operation.

I deal with Dillon direct because nobody in my area carriers parts or accessories / but for most everything else I go thru my local dealers.

December 9, 2008, 10:43 PM	#1
JayCee Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2001 Posts: 494	Used Reloading Equipment on eBay Been looking for another powder measure, and thought I'd try eBay. Thought I'd find a good deal, but the prices being bid for used powder measures seem to be running 80-90 percent of the cost of a new item! I've even seen bids for more than retail price on more than one occasion. What's up with this? Is there some sort of shortage of reloading equipment, or do folks just not know how much a new item costs? I basically refuse to pay more than 50 percent for something sight unseen, so I finally just decided to go ahead and buy a new measure. Probably paid only about 15 bucks more than I'd have paid on eBay. __________________ “You may all go to hell and I will go to Texas.” – David Crockett “If I owned Texas and hell, I'd rent out Texas and live in hell.” - General Phillip H. Sheridan

December 9, 2008, 10:49 PM	#2
dardascastbullets Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2008 Location: Essexville, MI Posts: 164	Gotta be careful of the auctions where there are 'plants' that artificially bump up the price. I would recommend other auction sites such as reloadersauction.com. E-Bay is anti-gun as well as Paypal. Reloadersauction.com has great items and a very large selection at that. __________________ Matt Dardas

December 9, 2008, 11:15 PM	#3
JayCee Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2001 Posts: 494	Thanks, I'll check 'em out! __________________ “You may all go to hell and I will go to Texas.” – David Crockett “If I owned Texas and hell, I'd rent out Texas and live in hell.” - General Phillip H. Sheridan

December 10, 2008, 11:39 AM	#5
The Terminator Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2002 Location: Georgia, 35 miles Northwest of the armpit Posts: 946	It is called shill bidding. It happens all of the time. It is against the "rules", but is really not enforceable. It goes back as far as any type of auctions ever held. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shill __________________ The Terminator John 3:16 (I hope to see You over there.)

December 10, 2008, 11:27 AM	#4
wncchester Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2002 Posts: 2,832	"I've even seen bids for more than retail price on more than one occasion. What's up with this?" No one is telling me anything to explain this but it sure is true! I suspect a lot of newbies either believe that because an item is being sold used it will be a good deal OR, if they check at all, they check full retail prices. I started buying a few items from time to time on eBay some years ago, selling prices were rational if not cheap at that time. Not now, and I too limit my bids on used things to half or less of new so it's rare that I "win" anything on eBay these days. Some of those bid prices tempt me to sell my old stuff and get new, basically for free! I'm happy for the sellers though. No matter the bid price, the buyers can't say they were ripped off. As always, it's the buyer who establishes what anything is worth to him!

December 10, 2008, 12:17 PM	#6
vranasaurus Senior Member Join Date: November 16, 2008 Posts: 1,184	I agree on ebay you can find the occasional deal. I was looking for a set of 9mm dies, shell plate, die plates, and a 45 ACP crimp die and found nothing for less than I could get it from an online store I have dealt with in the past. I did however pick up a used RCBS .223 lube die for $20 shipped. Which I think is a fairly good deal since they cost at least $33 plus shipping. There are deals to be had on ebay but you have to look hard.

December 10, 2008, 01:01 PM	#7
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	That's why I think most of the internet auction sites are a waste of time. I order the stuff I need from the mfg or a good local dealer - so if I have an issue, I can take it back or discuss a solution with the retailer. The internet is good for some things like books, CD's ..... but not for tools, reloading stuff, guns, etc in my opinion - and even when I use the internet, I prefer to deal with outlets that also have a brick and mortar operation. I deal with Dillon direct because nobody in my area carriers parts or accessories / but for most everything else I go thru my local dealers.