Ridiculous eBay Auctions

Shib

^i think more likely is multiple accounts so wen a stupidly high item is about to end without bids/offers, they buy it and leave positive feedback.

Aleydita

Or, like with almost every other poly given out by Lego Stores, a few boxes make it onto the secondary market because Lego employ some dodgy people.

doomer72

Good point @shib , that's a more sensible explanation .

I'm sure you are spot on @Aleydita‌ , it just surprises me that someone in the lego store wouldn't notice and check the local seller on ebay that's shifting them . After all a box of polys for nothing could make a lot of money and it should take Sherlock Holmes to track the culprit down .

talos

It is sure amazing so many are trying to sell things that are still available for huge markups, not just on ebay, but on other retailers like TRU and Amazon..really need to do research, but since so many are doing it, I guess a lot of people don't!

TheOneVeyronian

I really hope this is just a typing error in the price. RRP of this set which is still available at retail is £9.99:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEGO-Chima-70138-Web-Dash-/261480320477?pt=UK_Construction_Toys_Kits&hash=item3ce1710ddd
But then again, it must be a good deal if it has free express delivery!
:-P

roxio

WTF ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEGO-Star-Wars-Luke-Skywalker-Millennium-Falcon-proto-type-Figure-/331203902372?pt=UK_Construction_Toys_Kits&hash=item4d1d4a7ba4

Shib

I'm sure a lot of these prototype mini figures that turn up on ebay are just taken from sets and dipped in a light coat of dilute orange/red paint, otherwise TLG seem to produce a massively unnecessary amount of prototypes of each figure and somehow let them fall into the hands of people who will sell them.

CCC

Following on from those ...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEGO-The-Simpsons-proto-type-Figure-/331197580148?pt=UK_Construction_Toys_Kits&hash=item4d1cea0374


These are dyed, using RIT dye or similar. The parts don't all dye at the same rate, and have come out similar to when I did my tests a few years ago.

mountebank

Ahh, the episode where they all go along to the tanning salon.

Shib

^ Was that the Simpsons and The Only Way Is Essex crossover episode? :-P

plantman

If these were legitimate mold test shots, I don't think they would bother putting the printing over a discolored base...

CCC

And if they did, the print would be the right colour. Those have definitely been dyed.

paul_merton

I'd be suspicious just because the seller had previously been selling "custom" minifigures. But the feedback seems to show some happy people who have spent thousands of pounds on some of these prototypes from the same seller!

CCC

Yep, a lot of people seem happy with their fake Mr Golds.

cheshirecat

The first BIN item was cancelled, meaning you can pick up this shit for the relative bargain price of £160 (assuming there's only one person stupid enough to bid).

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEGO-The-Simpsons-proto-type-Figure-/331209565571?pt=UK_Construction_Toys_Kits&hash=item4d1da0e583

JamesJT

This is what happens when you don't have the right colour bricks.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEGO-Starwars-R2-D2-10225-r2-d2-Exclusive-star-wars-Collectors-Custom-/321409375718?pt=UK_Construction_Toys_Kits&hash=item4ad57ddde6

DoubleD

I wonder if he just grab random bricks or did he put a little effort in it to make it look like that. It doesn't look horrible.

Bluefairy_56

A Hippy R2D2 how sweet. I agree it's not horrible, but I wouldn't buy it.

ACWWGal2011

JamesJT said:

This is what happens when you don't have the right colour bricks.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEGO-Starwars-R2-D2-10225-r2-d2-Exclusive-star-wars-Collectors-Custom-/321409375718?pt=UK_Construction_Toys_Kits&hash=item4ad57ddde6

Actually I like that. I prefer the mix and match look when it comes to lego building since I think it often times can look better that going all matchy matchy.

samiam391

A nice city setup, but a very ambitious price.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OWN-THIS-INCREDIBLE-REAL-LIFE-LEGO-CITY-MAKE-YOUR-OWN-LEGO-MOVIE-/171344657800?pt=Building_Toys_US&hash=item27e4effd88

oldtodd33

Looks like he has 1 too many zeros.

CapnRex101

^ Not only is the price ludicrous, but the seller uses the phrase "very unique" in the item description. I try not to be too pedantic when it comes to grammar, but that it is one that gets to me...

Bluefairy_56

Another very ambitious price...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/LEGO-Monster-Fighters-The-Werewolf-9463-New-Sealed-Set-NIB/331207187741?_trksid=p2047675.c100010.m2109&_trkparms=aid=555012&algo=PW.MBE&ao=1&asc=20131231084308&meid=7251886771095699680&pid=100010&prg=20131231084308&rk=5&rkt=24&sd=171344657800

Why on earth people think that they would buy this over going to The store and getting it for around $35 is beyond me.
Do people actually pay this much for these auctions?
Are these sellers making it rich?

Shaking my head in disbelieve here...

oldtodd33

^ If you look at the sellers sold items list, the selling prices are much more down to earth. But they don't sell much either, only 27 items in the last 2 months.

samiam391

^He's based in Vegas, so that explains it a little bit. ;o)

Bobflip

That Monster Fighters one might be a case of him running out of stock, sometimes sellers bump the price up to ridiculous amounts instead of cancelling the listing. Heck, if someone pays that much you could pay for a private jet to collect one and still have change.

SuperTramp

^Or could be that he did the listing wrong and it should be $29.99

Its a pretty common mistake to do.

CCC

Interesting pricing at bricklink too ...

http://www.bricklink.com/store.asp?p=Ned

vitreolum

I wonder what's the point of that... They can't be that retarded to be serious with that.

CCC

Who knows, they are listing more today too.

Shib

And now the store's been suspended.

samiam391

I've never seen assembled spelled that way (title):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Open-Box-Lego-Star-Wars-10174-Ultimate-Collectors-Imperial-AT-ST-Never-Assy-/261490318403?pt=Building_Toys_US&hash=item3ce2099c43

Bobflip

Ned's store was a bizarre one... some obscure method of money laundering, perhaps? ;-)

bobabricks

@Bluefairy_56 what "builds" in Vegas stays in Vegas :P

joel4motion

samiam391 said:

I've never seen assembled spelled that way (title):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Open-Box-Lego-Star-Wars-10174-Ultimate-Collectors-Imperial-AT-ST-Never-Assy-/261490318403?pt=Building_Toys_US&hash=item3ce2099c43

I see it quite a lot on construction drawings and use it myself when writing notes on a multi-part construction. hinge-assy, lock-assy etc...

Shib

Not a specific auction/listing, but I've been looking around ebay quite a lot in the last two month after having not really used it for the best part of 4 years I think...when did it become so full of crazy listings? I'm not even talking the odd one or two people asking silly money for an odd item but the masses of people selling widely and readily available sets for more than RRP. It just seems crazy to me that anyone would go 'oh look, £30 for a nice lego set on ebay, i'll buy that now without checking it against a reputable retailer who's selling it for the RRP of £20". Madness! Just felt the need to get that rant out there!

tefarrel

^ I asked my wife about that, since she deals in the American Girl Market... she said that you can pay for eBay with Paypal (and also Paypal credit), with interest and payments. Some people REALLY want the item, but don't have the money right now. They pay extra on eBay, because sometimes paypal will give you 6 months no interest

Shib

^I can understand that on stuff thats like £70 +, but I'm seeing sets that retail £20 being sold for £30...just seems crazy to me.

augen

How about £60 for a TC-4 droid...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-RARE-FACTORY-SEALED-Lego-Star-Wars-TC4-5002122-/121354517556

Mojoest

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Custom-Lego-Stan-Lee-Marvel-Super-Heroes-Hulk-Big-Figure-/321430109856?pt=UK_Construction_Toys_Kits&hash=item4ad6ba3ea0

Made me chuckle

JamesJT

Possible NSFW...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Custom-Lego-She-Hulk-Marvel-Super-Heroes-Hulk-Big-Figure-/321430121127?pt=UK_Construction_Toys_Kits&hash=item4ad6ba6aa7

Matthew

^ Whatever floats your boat I guess... ;-)

Had to laugh at this in that item's description though, do these people really believe this stuff?

"Please note, once you have paid for your item, it is your property, and after we post it, and it is out of our control, we cannot accept any responsiblity for its delivery by the post office... every item we post we have the proof of posting."

cheshirecat

A very bad little part of me always thinks it would be fun to buy off people like that just to funk with them and teach them a lesson, but I never do. Reporting the item is probably morally better and also has the benefit of not having to see that thing in the flesh.

Shib

It always amazes me how much people are actually willing to pay for the 'custom' minifigures. And yet some people won't buy an actual Lego set with real mini figures for the same cost because 'Lego is a rip off for a bit of plastic.' Amazing how far apart peoples' perceptions are.

Norlego

cheshirecat said:

A very bad little part of me always thinks it would be fun to buy off people like that just to funk with them and teach them a lesson, but I never do. Reporting the item is probably morally better and also has the benefit of not having to see that thing in the flesh.

The guy sends the lego with tracking. I can understand his viewpoint. What more than posting can he do? The buyer has to be at home to sign the parcel.... You do get buyers being "difficult".... It puts me off selling on ebay.
If you buy off him you wont teach him a lesson but be a fraudlent ebayer... Assuming you would claim it did not arrive when it in fact did.

TheBrickLadd

augen said:

How about £60 for a TC-4 droid...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-RARE-FACTORY-SEALED-Lego-Star-Wars-TC4-5002122-/121354517556

He paid £1 for this as he is local to me.

cheshirecat

Norlego said:

cheshirecat said:

A very bad little part of me always thinks it would be fun to buy off people like that just to funk with them and teach them a lesson, but I never do. Reporting the item is probably morally better and also has the benefit of not having to see that thing in the flesh.

The guy sends the lego with tracking. I can understand his viewpoint. What more than posting can he do? The buyer has to be at home to sign the parcel.... You do get buyers being "difficult".... It puts me off selling on ebay.
If you buy off him you wont teach him a lesson but be a fraudlent ebayer... Assuming you would claim it did not arrive when it in fact did.

Where does it say he pays for tracking? Says he has proof of postage and that its economy delivery which isn't the same thing - and not sufficient for ebays seller protection either iirc. But that doesn't matter, the law (if acting as a business and the customs would be I imagine if hes not making them for their own personal use) and ebays terms and conditions are very simple its the sellers responsibility to get the item to the buyer, he can write what he likes but its irrelevant and he's probably being purposefully misleading/deceitful. But you are right, I would be a fraudulent ebayer if I said it didn't arrive or that it was damaged in transit when it wasn't - hence the 'very bad part of me' and why I have never done it. If anything I would more likely force a return on someone selling 20 items clearly bought for resale who has a 'no returns' clause on their item. I've never done that either - because to be honest I have (marginally) better things to do with my time. Still it would be an education for them.

cheshirecat

Ignore that - it does say second class signed for. But then if it gets damaged in transit its still his problem not the buyers. If he wants to sell online he just needs to suck it up. Although as someone whos been scammed by someone claiming an item didn't arrive I do dislike those people far more than the sellers writing nonsense t&c on their items.

On a related note - I recently had to send a number of parcels signed for and quite a few were returned to the depot rather than being left unsigned for. This never seemed to happen so am hoping that it signifies a change in policy by royal mail - maybe? Anyone else noticed a similar pattern?

Shib

^Our normal postie is great for leaving things to big for letter box that don't need a signature tucked away in the garage (as agreed) but if it requires a signature it always goes to the local post office for collection...don't think I've ever had anything delivered by royal mail left without a signature if it was meant to have one, but I suppose its very much down to the postie delivering it.

Matthew

Shib said:

^Our normal postie is great for leaving things to big for letter box that don't need a signature tucked away in the garage (as agreed)

I'd keep quiet about that - the only items that RM are meant to leave unattended are ones sent by the tracked service with a safe place printed on the label. The postie could get into quite a bit of bother if it was discovered he was leaving normal items unattended regularly (known as 'doorstepping').

As there isn't an official agreement between RM and you (as some courier companies have) if you were sent something valuable and it was stolen, RM would have to pay out compensation to you, regardless of any agreement with the postie. (Yes, I spend too much time chatting to the staff in the sorting office when picking up a parcel...)