When I first met the wonders of Ebay, and "Buy-sell" forums -a few years ago I though the world was my oyster. Even on the low stipend that the graduate students live on, I found many wonderful models, software, whatever for a reasonable price. I went to the LHS, looked at the pricetag, and knew that I can get the same thing for 2/3 or 1/2 the price -including shipping.

Recently I find that it's not that easy any more. Ebay is more and more dominated by "professional" sellers (especially in computer hardware, software, and plastic models), and the prices went up, even in the forums. Things that you can buy in the LHS for 30 dollars go for the same -or much higher- price, and shipping is not even included... so I find myself in the LHS buying that one "30 buck kit" once in every semester. The thing gets even more strange, when you check the same models on Squadron, or LuckyModels, and find that they send you the stuff @cheaper@ than the private sellers. It's cheaper to buy something from Asia, than from a dude in North Carolina. There are less and less good bargains on Ebay or in the "flea market" forums. What's the point in buying a full-priced item from a private seller? Doesn't that defeat the whole point of flea markets?

Since I did not do statistical analysis on the changes of prices (right now I could, as I had statistics this semester ) it's only a gut feeling.
Opinions?

You may be right. I rarely look for models on E-bay, especially when bidding starts at full MSRP. I still find bargains, however, and only bid on bargains. Part of what happens is the use of RARE in the description and the neophyte who doesn't know that the item can be had from any hobby shop at the same or lower price gets sucked in and may even get into a bidding war.

Research the price on the web and if it's still a bargain then "snipe" at the last minute.

I tend to agree. I'm all the time hearing people bragging about what great deals they've gotten on ebay, but I never find them. About the only thing I buy is OOP kits that I can't find anywhere else. Seems to me the only kits I see that are really low priced are those that nobody wants to pay even that low price for.

In terms of Shipping................ With the price of Gas some people need to chaarge. Most bigger sellers have "Pick up agreements" with UPS USPS and or Fedex. meanig they come once or several times a day to pick up outgoing packages. to me this reduces the burden on the seller. Witht he Postal rates Changing (and recently getting more confusing regarding padded envelopes) it makes it harder to figure out what to charge without running to the post office ahead of time or just "over charging" to begin with.

I've gotten burned on International postage several times in the past because of the rules that are so dang confusing.

There's still the occasional Bargin on Ebay and in Forums........ all you can do is Watch.

Its OOP Kits only for me on Ebay. Find i can pick up kits from the States cheaper than from Europe, including postage.

Andy

I pretty much stopped shopping on E-bay for models about a year ago. It's funny I saw this thread this morning because on a whim I decided to look at E-bay just last night. I was amazed at the stuff on there! The amount of "Pro-Built" and and already painted vehicles and figures just blew me away. Some of the old Tamiya figs that had been built and painted were being advertised as US Glider Troops! Ha! I nearly fell over laughing so hard! So I would have to agree...E-bay for the modeler is not what it used to be. That being said....I did see a couple bargains but Like Murdo, learned a long time ago to wait till the end and try to snipe in the closing seconds.

Thats the other problem with Ebay. You have bid on something that theres no interest in, and in the last 2 minutes, a few different people jump in trying to snatch it cheaply, driving the price up until its not a bargin any more.
Ive stopped even looking for bargins ... I only use it now when Im looking for some parts that are not available locally, and buying them for cost price because I want them. Works out cheaper in the long run ... too many bargins are costly!!

Hooray for a weak Dollar vs. Pound vs. Euro!

Well I could reply with... What I find frustrating is people who bid with 9 days to go, driving the price up. I only bid what I'm willing to pay.

No more but.. Hopefully much less!

Plenty more auctions out there.