Ebay: Seller descriptions leave something to be desired

If you are an eBay follower you probably take the time to look at the HL's on auction, and read the descriptions to try and figure out if what's offered is a good deal.

I stopped to look at a piece of interest and read the description. The seller described the piece as "MINT", while the pictures showed two damaged areas to this HL.

Why would someone do this?

Bob

Ignorance?

Bob
It is hard for us to understand this but I feel that some of these people are not lying.
They are telling the truth the way they understand it.
They could care less about a collectable and the fact that most of the lighthouse is in tact makes it in excellent condition.

I could picture a guy that works for a living with his hands, never been in a collectable store in his life, and then inherits a HL collection from his Mom. He knows nothing about collecting and has no idea what to do with it. Therefore, he talks to his friends at the local Bar and someone mentions ebay. One of his friends has a computer so they gab a 6-pack and go to his house. They push some buttons and ebay pops-up. After 1:00 AM Bubba runs out and grabs an other 6-pack. By that time, everything is in mint condition even the broken lighthouse.

DANIEL,

You just might have hit the nail on the head.

bobo

doubt it after a couple of six packs . . .

That's very true, Dave. I completely missed the obvious.

bobo

I'm surprised that they could find the keys to spell mint after a couple 6 packs...but then again that's easier to spell than damaged!

Bobo/Dave,

You were referring to Daniel, right?

Sandy

I also notice that there are alot of sellers that will add "rare" to the description for a GLOW. I suppose to lure those that don't know...but it drives me crazy!

Debbie,

I couldn't agree with you more. With one exception -- #401, Cape Hatteras, Great American Lighthouses.

The GLOW's themselves are about as rare as grains of sand.

bobo

One guy had an item he has not an expert at and sold it. The buyer wrote back and told him the problem with the item so the seller sent back the money after getting the item back. He re-listed with the proper information (that he did not have previous knowledge of) and the item sold for more the second time around (to a different person.

So lack of knowledge could be the reason (in some cases).

Eric-that could very well be the case! I have seen several pieces for sale and the seller does admit to not knowing as you described which is understandable. But there are quite a few regulars listing these GLOWS. Bob- I like that..."rare as grains of sand!" Now... if you would be so kind...why is that Cape Hatteras rare?

Well, of course there will always be some SOB's out there, SO buyer beware!

Debbie, because it was the only Great American Lighthouse - the name that was intended for the line. As I recall, that name was already in use by another company so it was off to plan B - Great Lighthouse Oo the World. Even Cape Hatteras open edition quickly reverted to the GLOW designation.

Thanks Dave-I've learned my "something new" for the day!

Debbie, the longer we are around here, the more we learn. Everybody is so incredibly knowledgeable.

How very true Grace!

I believe "Great American Lighthouses" was already being used by the artist, Donna Elias.

Jim

There is currently a Cockspur Georgia on eBay with the ventilator ball missing. The seller doesn't mention the condition of the piece in the description, but unless your observant, you might buy this piece and find it defective. Apparently the faith followers of eBay noticed the same thing as me because there are no bids on it yet.

Bob

Has anyone else notice that starting bids are a little higher than they were a few months ago? Instead of the $5-$10 range, many are in the $20-$25 range. It doesn't reflect a large upswing in the secondary market, but at least the HL's aren't being sold for less than the cost of shipping.

Speaking of shipping costs, I noticed one seller posted his or her shipping cost at $32.50. I don't think that person will get too many bids with that hunk of change being tacked on to the final bill.

There seems to be a lot more "Buy It Now" HL's at higher prices. I'm glad people are smarting up and not just giving their HL's away.

Bob

Gee, maybe he was quoting next day air on a Navesink?

I agree with Debbie about the "rare" thing for Glows. I also wish they would put the number of the piece and if it Limited Edition, Glow or whatever it is.

Sometimes the seller will show a picture of the flag-with click to enlarge. Of course it doesn't enlarge and you still can't read the flag number! So, it would be nice to include the flag number somewhere...wouldn't it?

Kay,

A quick signal for me on auction sites is that edition numbers for limited editions are numbered as 10X, 20X, and 30X; GLOW edition numbers start with 40X; Collectors Society pieces are numbered as 50X; Special editions and Event Pieces are numbered 60X, Christmas editions are 70X; Little Lights are prefaced by LL. I've seen a number of auctions of Little Lights where the seller lists it as an HL piece, but the size (if given) and/or the opening bid (usually) tells me it's a Little Light.

Sandy