A Hypothetical...Advertising an Item You Dont Own...Yet

[SDIceMan]

A Hypothetical...Advertising an Item You Don't Own...Yet

I just wanted to run this hypothetical by you all. The town I live in isn't particularly wealthy, so while items in the thrift and secondhand stores seem to turn over quite regularly, I've noticed that the items in the antique stores and vendor malls tend to sit much longer. I was reminded of this again yesterday when I purchased an item from one such booth - the price tag had bleached under the fluorescent lights over the many months it sat in the showcase.

So now to my question. Have you, or would you ever consider, discreetly photographing an item in a place like that, and then listing it on eBay, all prior to actually buying it? Obviously there is a calculated amount of risk involved, but I think there are ways to mitigate that. For example, putting something in your item description that reads "item is for sale locally and I reserve the right to end the auction early if item sells", or something along those lines.

In my mind, the justification for doing such a thing would be that you don't assume any financial risk up front, and if you're successful, you make a profit, while the original seller also receives their asking price from you.

Again, this is just a hypothetical question at this point. What say you?

 

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[DizzyDigger]

I just wanted to run this hypothetical by you all. The town I live in isn't particularly wealthy, so while items in the thrift and secondhand stores seem to turn over quite regularly, I've noticed that the items in the antique stores and vendor malls tend to sit much longer. I was reminded of this again yesterday when I purchased an item from one such booth - the price tag had bleached under the fluorescent lights over the many months it sat in the showcase.
So now to my question. Have you, or would you ever consider, discreetly photographing an item in a place like that, and then listing it on eBay, all prior to actually buying it? Obviously there is a calculated amount of risk involved, but I think there are ways to mitigate that. For example, putting something in your item description that reads "item is for sale locally and I reserve the right to end the auction early if item sells", or something along those lines.
In my mind, the justification for doing such a thing would be that you don't assume any financial risk up front, and if you're successful, you make a profit, while the original seller also receives their asking price from you.
Again, this is just a hypothetical question at this point. What say you?

1. Unless you buy it in advance, OR have a written agreement from the items owner, you have no legal
right to offer it for sale. To do so constitutes fraud.

2. IMHO, It's just a bad idea.

3. If you want to do that with antique sellers, then cut a deal with them so you can
legally sell those items. To do so without the item owners consent is not legal.

 

[SDIceMan]

DizzyDigger - probably a fair point you've made. I never really considered it in legal terms.

 

[captain flintlock]

I would say no way on this subject! I don't sell on eBay but I could see it being an issue. Not only with the legal ramifications but the wrong person sees it online and says " hey, that's my item in my shop"!! Could get ugly real quick!!

 

[gollum]

Not just legal, but what happens when you sell something on ebay, then go to buy it, only to find it was already sold? Happens all the time in the car business. A car sits for months with nobody looking at it. A person comes in, loves that car, but has to think about it overnight (cause thats what your parents told you to do). The next morning someone comes in and buys that car before the first person. In life, it is just frustrating. If you sell something on ebay, I am sure SOMEWHERE in their terms of service agreement you agreed to, it says that you must either physically possess or have a contract with the owner to sell items (like DizzyDigger posted). You could get in trouble legally, and get your ebay account screwed.

Mike

 

[SDIceMan]

I enjoy and respect the contributors on this form, so I hope you all don't think I'm some kind of dirt bag. I just thought I'd pose the question because a.) I find the ethical dilemmas occasionally posted on this forum entertaining, and b.) from time to time I'll see an obscure item that I think might be a good flip, but I am hesitant to take the financial risk.

Along the same lines, does anyone know why a buyer will request that I package something with no packing slip or eBay sticker inside the package? I wondered if this was some form of drop shipping, where they are buying something from me that they've sold to somebody else?

 

[gollum]

I enjoy and respect the contributors on this form, so I hope you all don't think I'm some kind of dirt bag. I just thought I'd pose the question because a.) I find the ethical dilemmas occasionally posted on this forum entertaining, and b.) from time to time I'll see an obscure item that I think might be a good flip, but I am hesitant to take the financial risk.

Along the same lines, does anyone know why a buyer will request that I package something with no packing slip or eBay sticker inside the package? I wondered if this was some form of drop shipping, where they are buying something from me that they've sold to somebody else?

Don't worry. Your question in no way makes you look bad. Funny thing, it happens every day in the stock market, and it is accepted trade practice. Just doesn't work so well in the real world. The only time I would recommend what you are asking about would be if the items in question were new, and you had a never ending supply. That takes 99% of the risk out of what you are doing. Let's say you find a little Chinese Curio Shop. You can't find their merchandise ANYWHERE else. That would be a good place to find things to sell in the manner you suggest. It would be kind of like drop shipping (without the contract).

Mike

 

[FC-Treasure]

So the technical term for this is dropshipping. It tends to lead to a poor customer experience, so it is generally frowned upon, but it does happen. I've purchased books on Amazon before and I have them ship with an eBay shipping label from a seller I don't recognize. What someone has done is create Amazon listings for items they see on eBay. When someone makes a purchase on Amazon, the dropshipper turns around and buys the book on eBay and has it shipped to you. They are basically leveraging price differences between the two marketplaces.

 

[trdhrdr007]

I wouldn't do it for a lot of reasons. The most obvious reason is you can lose TRS status if you have defects, which means you lose the discounts on postage & final value fees. Under eBay's new seller standards you can only get a defect if you fail to satisfy a buyer when a case is opened OR you can't fulfill an order for ANY reason.

 

[Beachkid23]

Just a quick thought, when you seen item at a thrift store or antique store that you think might do well, do you ever check the sold listings on eBay versus the prices they're asking for the item? That's how I check most of my things I'm not sure before I buy it. And if there's not online I usually don't get it. But I would doublecheck the sold listings.

 

[tamrock]

Dizzy's right, but I do know a person that does that very thing you thinking. They use that right to change things and end sales at anytime. I wouldn't do it. You're bound to get into a mess finagling things like that.

 

[jerseyben]

1. It is a bad idea for all of the reasons stated above.
2. It is not the same as drop shipping.
3. If you use the "I reserve the right to end this listing early" wording as mentioned above, this does nothing to protect you from negative feedback iof you sell an item and it is no longer available. You always have the right to end a listing early BEFORE it sells.
4. If you do this as an auction, you are crazy. Although I would NOT recommend doing this, you could theoretically do this if you listed the item as BIN. If it sells online and then ends up not being available locally, you can just cancel the online transaction. The worst case scenario if this happens is an angry online buyer leaves you negative feedback. Or the local seller could find out and send you a cease and desist letter.
5. Whatever you decide to do, good luck.

 

[jeff of pa]

so you see a antique watch for $100 in a thrift store that is not selling.

You take pics and post it on Ebay.

Price rises to $5,000.00

Thrift store or other customer see's one in thrift store for $100

Price either rises to $5,000 or person buys it for $100 & posts it on Ebay.

then You need to cancel sale & maybe explain.

not a good idea.

addicted gambler ?

 

[SDIceMan]

A Hypothetical...Advertising an Item You Don't Own...Yet

addicted gambler ?

Lol. Funny you should say that, because I do get the same rush of endorphins when I make a great score at a sale as I used to get playing blackjack in Vegas!

I do see how the scenario you outlined could be very problematic. My thought when I started this thread was:

You see something for $35 in an antique mall. You photograph it, note the condition, measurements, etc., and post it on auction starting at $45. (you could even do this shortly before close-of-business before the store closes for the weekend - give yourself a two day cushion where you don't have to worry about the store selling the item!)

As soon as possible after the first bid comes in, you either call the store to hold the item until you can get there to pay, or go directly to the store to purchase the item. Maybe you pay sticker price, maybe you have the store contact the vendor and offer a little less.

Item goes home with you and gets prepped for shipping.

See how I made it sound so easy in my mind?! Now you're never gonna believe this was all 'hypothetical'. :-D

 

[jeff of pa]

I'd be paranoid as all Get Out something would go wrong

but then even on strait sales I'm always nervous till the buyer receives the item & doesn't complain

 

[NWpickin]

I sometimes play a little game with myself when I'm at a thrift store and I find something that I think will sell quick (video games & related items). I will take a few quick pictures hiding the price tag and and set a competitive BIN price...... 3/4 times I have sold the item before I have left the store...EASY $$!

I think as far as the antique store goes... Trust you gut... If you think you can sell it before they do... Go for it... It's a win-win-win for the seller, buyer, and the picker.

 

[kcm]

In the stock market, you're selling "shares" of something; not the physical product/mineral/company. Therefore, it is illegal AND wrong to sell something you do not own. How many times has the Brooklyn Bridge been sold?!?!?

I'm in the process of learning how to sell on eBay right now. One of the articles I saved to HDD yesterday was about this very issue. Apparently there "IS" some wording somewhere in the eBay contract about selling what isn't yours to sell. However, that doesn't stop some people - just as security cameras don't stop some people from trying to cheat in Vegas.

Realistically speaking, is it any worse than the stereotypical used car salesman telling how the "Deal of the Day" was only driven to church on Sunday's by a little old lady? There are liars and cheats in the world. Unfortunately many more than I care to truly open my eyes to! And I, for one, choose NOT to be one!! ...But then, how can you or anyone else know that??