Crazy prices on ebay

[belgiumreporter]

I've been in a nostalgic mood and thought it would be a good idea to reconstruct the camera that started my photographic career (i'm not talking about my first camera ) I've still got the body wich i bought way back in 1974 it's a black nikon F with the plain prism.This camera was bought on a budget as i couldn't afford the metered Ftn prism, neither could i afford the 35mm nikkor so instead i bought the then (cheap) vivitar 35mm 1:1,9 It wasn't a bad lens and i did almost all my shooting with it until there was enough money to buy nikon glass. So i thought maybe i can find such a lens on ebay as i never came across one in the regular second hand market here in Belgium. Indeed they had them on ebay but only in the US. wich isn't very intersting for me because of the high postage and importing taxes to get it to Belgium. But there was another thing... somebody asked 990$ for this lens in a nikon non Ai mount and there where two bids on that lens browsing some more the lowest price i could find was 139$ same lens same condition again in nikon mount, in wich nobody was interested and even with the price reduced.
Now i was wondering what game are some people playing on ebay??? I've heard a few scenarios

nr 1 being the "it was on ebay only recently for 1000$ but now you can get mine at a bargain 500$ (wich is also way to much)" this scam is set up by one and the same person under diffrent names to attract buyers who are not aware of current market prices and are tricked in believing they can make a bargain

Secondly "the conspiracy theory" a product is being offered on ebay at a ridiculous high price, never intended to sell but as a coded message to someone who knows what to do when the ad appears on ebay.

Third "the money laundrey" somebody is selling products at ridiculous high prices, and then "someone else" buys those products, the seller has now legal proof that he has aquired money in a legal way because of his sales on ebay (once again a scam with all the people involved knowing one another)

Four: an idiot asking way to much because he thinks his junk is pure gold.

Maybe you can think of other possibilitys that may cause these crazy prices on ebay, if you do, do let me (us) know.

[philbirch]

There is a Rondine camera for a grand. I messaged him with an offer of £15 and mentioned perhaps he'd made an error in the listing, but he was adamant he wanted a £1000.
This is his reply: as it is with no punctuation:

"Thanks for you interest but only been told to list them for these prices by a collector who I trust and someone will buy the items if not I can keep them as I wouldn't part with them for any less as they don't cost me to keep so they'll go eventually as vague as the description is ppl are interested so who cares about auction houses I don't have time or energy to do and thanks for not saying as why should I trust you if you crnt be honest with me like my ex mind games don't play them and really don't want lies as that's what it will lead to so thanks for no information at all and totally doing my head in but I'll sit and wait it's free to list and free to be notified so I'm happy"

perhaps category 4 with a hint of paranoia.

[mickeyobe]

Rondine Camera Very Old.

I am loaded with wise sayings this week.

Remember old P.T. Barnum the circus guy?
"There is a sucker born every minute."

Mickey

[Stephen]

They are doing it to transfer money, and Ebay/Pay pal know all about it, there have been cases taken through the courts. It has become common to see items like multimeters with £1000 tagged on to it. Each item has an Ebay listing number, the number is sent abroad, the transaction done, money into UK etc and drugs out, or simply to pay a debt for previous goods.

It also acts as away to pay debt from gambling, the IOU is coupled to the item number.
If you try to settle large debts via UK banks the computers flag up all larger transactions, as possibly criminal, but Pay Pal do not, as they operate under foreign control.

So the seller is owed money, and the debtor pays via paypal. The reason so many items like this sit in blocks is to total up the numbers to give a larger total of cash. The seller will, say, settle at four item numbers, which total the amount owed.

It only used by pretty dumb criminals etc, as it can be traced very easily, the people doing it hope that they do not get caught, as so many are going on, the Police cannot investigate very one.

Stephen.

[Stephen]

And £15 is a very generous offer for a Rondine, and you would have had to collect in person!!
Stephen.

[philbirch]

Collecting it would not be a problem, its not too far from me and near where my mother lives. He has other stuff going for peanuts, things that may be worth serious money. He hasn't got a friggin clue.