Listing as Retired (1 Viewer)

[Sahara]

I have noticed time and again that there is a seller on ebay that continues to list her King & Country products as "RETIRED". I have sent her several messages on numerous occasions informing her that the product she is selling is not "Retired" yet. She usually responds to my messages and thanks me for informing her but she never changes the listing. Anyone else get annoyed when they see this occur? What some people do to make an extra buck on ebay is insane.

 

[6th Wisconsin]

I emailed someone telling them tank they were listing as K&C was New Model Army, and they actually changed the listing. I am sure a lot of things happen out of ignorance and a lot out of a desire to get the most money out of the product.

 

[gk5717]

I think most buyers of collectibles are knowledgeable of their hobby so they would know better.
The same thing with those people that put "rare" on an item. To me the seller looks foolish when he does that.
I don,t think someone looking on ebay to buy a book would stumble into toy soldiers and see "retired" on an item and then buy it.
Gary

 

[Capitolron]

From my opinion - I agree with the thoughts on listing something as RETIRED when it is not. An item is either retired (no longer produced or sold by the maker) or it is available.

However, since this point on "RARE" pops up every now and then - let me address why I use the Marketing Phrase "RARE" in my Ebay sales.

I believe the seller can look upon a market and decide if his or her item is rare in following ways:

1) Is it listed for sale on ebay - a lot ? This is subjective and you can argue the number of what is a lot - all day.

2) I believe if the figure is not seen quite a bit and is an old production it meets that marker of "rare" - To me if the item is older production then the production number is less in todays production numbers - therefore ... RARE.

3) RARE can be the type of figure or range from King & Country - some figures there are high demands and thus makes them "RARE" in the secondary market.

4) A marketing term - RARE - is in essence an item which there is not a lot of - something highly valued. Agian this gets back to point #1 - but, marketing terms are just that marketing terms. One man's treasure is another man's junk. It is very subjective term - unlike RETIRED which states a fact.


Anyway - there you have an explanation of where CAPITOLRON stands on his listings !

Cheers, Ron

 

[Sahara]

This individual that I'm talking about does not even use the phrase "Rare". Everything listed in her opinion I guess is "Retired". I agree with you Ron there is a big difference between "Rare" and "Retired" and there are certain pieces out there that are just difficult to find which would make them "Rare". I just get a little upset when someone lists an item that came out maybe a month or two ago, lists it as "Retired" and then trys to make a larger profit off of it because of the phrase "Retired" being added. Espc. since you could buy the same set or figure for cheaper at retail at any of the suppliers.

From my opinion - I agree with the thoughts on listing something as RETIRED when it is not. An item is either retired (no longer produced or sold by the maker) or it is available.

However, since this point on "RARE" pops up every now and then - let me address why I use the Marketing Phrase "RARE" in my Ebay sales.

I believe the seller can look upon a market and decide if his or her item is rare in following ways:

1) Is it listed for sale on ebay - a lot ? This is subjective and you can argue the number of what is a lot - all day.

2) I believe if the figure is not seen quite a bit and is an old production it meets that marker of "rare" - To me if the item is older production then the production number is less in todays production numbers - therefore ... RARE.

3) RARE can be the type of figure or range from King & Country - some figures there are high demands and thus makes them "RARE" in the secondary market.

4) A marketing term - RARE - is in essence an item which there is not a lot of - something highly valued. Agian this gets back to point #1 - but, marketing terms are just that marketing terms. One man's treasure is another man's junk. It is very subjective term - unlike RETIRED which states a fact.


Anyway - there you have an explanation of where CAPITOLRON stands on his listings !

Cheers, Ron

 

[Spitfrnd]

I think most buyers of collectibles are knowledgeable of their hobby so they would know better.
The same thing with those people that put "rare" on an item. To me the seller looks foolish when he does that.
I don,t think someone looking on ebay to buy a book would stumble into toy soldiers and see "retired" on an item and then buy it.
Gary

I agree with you Gary. "Rare" and "retired" are simply not words I would trust on ebay, for this or any other purpose. Obviously one should do his own research and set his own values; those who do not are simply taking an unnecessary risk; caveat emptor as they say.

 

[jazzeum]

Please remember that no names of ebay user ids can be posted publicly per the rules of the Forum. If you wish to know the name of the particular seller, please do this via the pm function or email.

 

[theBaron]

...Anyway - there you have an explanation of where CAPITOLRON stands on his listings !

Cheers, Ron

You've revealed your secret identity, Capitolman!

 

[theBaron]

I agree with you Gary. "Rare" and "retired" are simply not words I would trust on ebay, for this or any other purpose. Obviously one should do his own research and set his own values; those who do not are simply taking an unnecessary risk; caveat emptor as they say.

You've hit it right on the head, Spitfrnd! The buyer needs to educate himself, and make his own decision.

My experience is with the broader toy soldier auctions, beyond the auctions for newermakers like K&C or Frontline. I find that in the larger market, there are more sellers who sell a variety of things, and happen to have picked up toy soldiers at an auction or estate sale, and so, they know next to nothing about any given item. So when I see a listing that misidentifies a figure or figures, or might be missing information, I give the seller the benefit of the doubt. Sometimes I will contact the seller with info that I have, explaining, too, when it is an educated guess, or when I have specifics to back it up. But I don't lose too much sleep over it, if the seller doesn't change his listing, or even acknowledge the email.

If I notice a seller posting the same kind of misidentification, over and over, even after a friendly note with more information, I'd be leery of dealing with that person.

Prost!
Brad

 

[nmrocks]

I have noticed time and again that there is a seller on ebay that continues to list her King & Country products as "RETIRED". I have sent her several messages on numerous occasions informing her that the product she is selling is not "Retired" yet. She usually responds to my messages and thanks me for informing her but she never changes the listing. Anyone else get annoyed when they see this occur? What some people do to make an extra buck on ebay is insane.

I would simply send an email telling her that her obvious attempt to deceive is wrong and you'll never bid on any of her items because of it. If enough buyers voice there displeasure, she'll be forced to change her way or fail as a seller. either way she'll lose money.
Ray