Rare Victrola key... Changed to a B.I.N.

[brianu]

The guy selling the key was new to ebay. He realized that he made
a mistake and didn't know. I am not one to ask for someone to end
an auction early but when I was selling stuff I got the request all the
time.

out of curiosity, how does he know? I imagine someone, annoyed because they were willing to pay more, contacted him to let him know about how much money he lost? that's his mistake, I guess, if it's considered a mistake at all - I don't think some sellers really care about losing a few bucks for a fast definite sale. also, does anyone really have a problem with sellers ending ebay auctions early?

and in some cases where it was something I really wanted, I've definitely contacted a few sellers over the years - when they haven't offered buy it now or best offer options - and let them know of my best offer (to try to avoid the gamble of encountering someone willing to pay more, or someone not necessarily willing to pay more but who gets caught in that auction frenzy and outbids me in the end any way). usually they say no and follow through with the auction, but a couple of times they ended the sale early and sold to me. I really don't see any harm in asking. ebay may be an "auction" style sale format, but it's a pretty informal one - and even by its own terms and practices, it's provides a very flexible format compared to the strictures of more traditional "auctions."

I also attached a photo from ebay of the key being discussed (before the link to the auction expires).

[gramophone78]

Nothing wrong with asking.Most times the seller will want to leave the auction going. Two situations that happened to me. I asked a seller about a BIN. I told them my offer. They thanked me but, decided to let it run.......no problem. At the end,I was the winner and for less than I offered . Another time there was a large group of Berliners on. After three days there were no bids at 99.00. I asked the seller about a BIN. The seller asked what my offer would be. I told him that there was over 300.00 worth of records there and maybe more. Before I could decide how high I wanted to go, he contacted me and thanked me for my honesty and told me that they were mine for 99.00 . He also said that he was doing very good at that. There were 14 Berliners in there and all in great condition. I PayPaled him 150.00 + shipping. He only wanted 5.00 for shipping. When I got them,I saw that the shipping was 18.00. I sent him the 13.00 as well.

[Skihawx]

It's really only stuff and in the grand scheme of things really doesn't matter.
I would have probably bid on it too. But if everyone that is interested in an item has to contact the seller for a buy it now it becomes pretty ridiculous.

Suppose you drive to a live auction to bid on a certain item and while the auction was going on the item dissapeared. The auctioneer said we had an offer so we sold it. This is not likely to happen with a reputable auctioneer. I have heard of this happening where an family member pulls an item from an estate. Hey that happens too. You just hope it doesn't happen to you.

The purpose of the BIN it to try to get the seller to end the auction for less money than it is worth. Because it it goes for more that just means it went for more that it was worth to you. And if you accomplish that you may feel like you were smarter than someone else. "They should have known what they are selling." That is the case if you put a price on it. But an auction pretty much is the way to determine what something is worth at that particular time where ever that item is located.

[brianu]

It's really only stuff and in the grand scheme of things really doesn't matter.
I would have probably bid on it too. But if everyone that is interested in an item has to contact the seller for a buy it now it becomes pretty ridiculous.

Suppose you drive to a live auction to bid on a certain item and while the auction was going on the item dissapeared. The auctioneer said we had an offer so we sold it. This is not likely to happen with a reputable auctioneer. I have heard of this happening where an family member pulls an item from an estate. Hey that happens too. You just hope it doesn't happen to you.

The purpose of the BIN it to try to get the seller to end the auction for less money than it is worth. Because it it goes for more that just means it went for more that it was worth to you. And if you accomplish that you may feel like you were smarter than someone else. "They should have known what they are selling." That is the case if you put a price on it. But an auction pretty much is the way to determine what something is worth at that particular time where ever that item is located.

I don't think everyone who's interested in an item has to contact the seller to ask for a buy it now option or express their interest... obviously, you were interested and apparently didn't do that. if someone really wants something, doesn't want to wait (for whatever reason) or just wants to avoid the risk that someone will pay more than he/she is willing to pay, snipe bidding, etc.... any number of reasons. it's an option ebay offers, if a buyer wants it and asks and a seller complies, where's the problem? because someone else who wants it couldn't get it? that will happen no matter what. just like anywhere something is offered for sale, on ebay, the seller puts his item out there to reach as many prospective buyers as possible - whatever those prospective buyers do, or want to do, to reach and agreement and buy the thing - particularly if multiple people want it - is on them.

and as I'm sure you'll acknowledge, ebay is quite different from a more traditional auction format, particularly live auctions done on site or in auctions house... ebay offers a lot more flexibility, different formats, straight sales, buy it nows, auctions, best offers, etc., and the option for a seller to switch the format of his listing if so desired.

[Skihawx]

Since the VV-230, VV-330 and the Japanese Lacquered VV-130
all share the same pulls and escutcheoens it is pretty safe to
say that the share the same key. We many never know for sure.