Amazon Marketplace

[karlhenning]

I'm sure I cannot resolve that puzzle, Gurn.

[Scarpia]

I'm just curious here, so no big deal.

I wonder what the business model is for certain vendors on the Marketplace. As an example, look for almost any Classical disk and then go to the "Used" tab and look at what's available. There will often be 15-20 disks under $10, then a few in the regular retail price range (under $20). And then, the mystery (to me). There are a few vendors there, like "Any-Book" and "Woody's Books" and a couple of others that have the same disk, used, for anywhere from $40 to $100! What's that all about? Do they actually sell these? Do they even intend to sell them?

I've written to both of those companies and got no reply from either, but I can't imagine that I'm the only one that has been curious enough to do that. Has anyone even figured that out? If so, share the wisdom with me. I can see when they have the only copy out there, but when 30 people have one to sell, starting at $3, I'm just puzzled.  

Presumably they list everything at a high price by default and pray for the day when all other copies sell out and they are the sole alternative.

[karlhenning]

There's a single CD which, in a perfect world, I should like to listen to.  The "used and new" copies start at $59.99;  and simply put, there isn't a CD in the world I should pay that much for.

But I know that there are many out there who think otherwise.

[Gurn Blanston]

Presumably they list everything at a high price by default and pray for the day when all other copies sell out and they are the sole alternative.

Well, that is what I figured, I was just hoping I was wrong. It just seems so wrong-headed to me somehow... 

There's a single CD which, in a perfect world, I should like to listen to.  The "used and new" copies start at $59.99;  and simply put, there isn't a CD in the world I should pay that much for.

But I know that there are many out there who think otherwise.

As you say. I have paid as much as $35, but it took a significant amount of soul-searching before I could bring myself to press the button. I have seen disks priced at $200 disappear within a day though. Somehow that just seems OTT in terms of collector mania.   0:)

[Gurn Blanston]

There's a single CD which, in a perfect world, I should like to listen to.  The "used and new" copies start at $59.99;  and simply put, there isn't a CD in the world I should pay that much for.

But I know that there are many out there who think otherwise.

What is it?

[Scarpia]

Well, that is what I figured, I was just hoping I was wrong. It just seems so wrong-headed to me somehow... 

Amazon marketplace has no listing fee, so there is no disincentive for this strategy, except for the time taken to list the items.  What surprises me more very cheap listings on ebay.  ebay does have a listing fee and people sell CDs for $0.01.  I recently got one for $1.00.  I guess they make a slim profit if the shipping fee exceeds the actual shipping cost, but it strikes me as a tiring way to make a buck.

[karlhenning]

As you say. I have paid as much as $35, but it took a significant amount of soul-searching before I could bring myself to press the button. I have seen disks priced at $200 disappear within a day though. Somehow that just seems OTT in terms of collector mania.   0:)

I wonder what the most I've paid for a single CD is? $35 is probably more than that, but it's a sum which does not necessarily strike me as madness ; )

What is it?

Hah! Actually an album of which a chap I knew in Charlottesville once gave me a cassette: The Holy Modal Rounders, Alleged in Their Own Time

[Gurn Blanston]

Amazon marketplace has no listing fee, so there is no disincentive for this strategy, except for the time taken to list the items.  What surprises me more very cheap listings on ebay.  ebay does have a listing fee and people sell CDs for $0.01.  I recently got one for $1.00.  I guess they make a slim profit if the shipping fee exceeds the actual shipping cost, but it strikes me as a tiring way to make a buck.

Yes, I agree with that. I got a disk just yesterday that I have seen selling for $30. The seller started it at $5, hoping it would spark a biding frenzy, I assume. Well, I bid $15, but since no one else bid on it, I got it for $5. I was pleased...   In point of fact, this has happened for me dozens of times, far outnumbering the times when I was overbid at the high end.

[Gurn Blanston]

I wonder what the most I've paid for a single CD is? $35 is probably more than that, but it's a sum which does not necessarily strike me as madness ; )

Hah! Actually an album of which a chap I knew in Charlottesville once gave me a cassette: The Holy Modal Rounders, Alleged in Their Own Time

Wow, I've heard of them. That's scary   It was just an off-chance that I might be able to help you locate. I'll keep an eye out.

[Scarpia]

Yes, I agree with that. I got a disk just yesterday that I have seen selling for $30. The seller started it at $5, hoping it would spark a biding frenzy, I assume. Well, I bid $15, but since no one else bid on it, I got it for $5. I was pleased...   In point of fact, this has happened for me dozens of times, far outnumbering the times when I was overbid at the high end.

Try doing what I do.  Search for all classical CDs, and set the limit to $1.00, or maybe $2.00.  You'd be surprised at what you will find.    Got a mint copy of this for $1. 



Some joker is listing it for $70 on Amazon marketplace.

[Szykneij]

Wow, I've heard of them. That's scary   It was just an off-chance that I might be able to help you locate. I'll keep an eye out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW42PzDyPmA

[Gurn Blanston]

Try doing what I do.  Search for all classical CDs, and set the limit to $1.00, or maybe $2.00.  You'd be surprised at what you will find.    Got a mint copy of this for $1. 



Some joker is listing it for $70 on Amazon marketplace.

Yeah, I'll try that. I have a few pre-fab searches that I check every day, but I really need to have a more general (and targeted at cheap) search too. I can see us competing now;

"$.99"

"$1.24 - take that you bastard!"   

[karlhenning]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW42PzDyPmA

Hmm. That's on some album other . . . and it's reinforcing my sense that I want to revisit the album what I know, and Accept No Substitutes ; )

[Szykneij]

When you mentioned the group, I immediately associated the name with  "Easy Rider". I've never heard anything else by them.

[Scarpia]

When you mentioned the group, I immediately associated the name with  "Easy Rider". I've never heard anything else by them.

Which reminds me, I've always heard about that movie and was curious enough to rent it.  After about 25 minutes or so there didn't seem to be much point in continuing.   I can't recall a more idiotic film. 

[MN Dave]

Which reminds me, I've always heard about that movie and was curious enough to rent it.  After about 25 minutes or so there didn't seem to be much point in continuing.   I can't recall a more idiotic film.

You mean you're not a biker on acid? 

[Scarpia]

You mean you're not a biker on acid? 

I guess I assumed if I were a biker on acid my life would at least be interesting, though short.

[Guido]

I always forget to pass through this site when buying from amazon - what percentage does the forum get of every purchase when clicking on the amazon link?

[Gurn Blanston]

I always forget to pass through this site when buying from amazon - what percentage does the forum get of every purchase when clicking on the amazon link?

I'm not sure Rob ever told me, but I have a vague remembrance of 5%.

Geology is my hobby.

[Gurn Blanston]

Which reminds me, I've always heard about that movie and was curious enough to rent it.  After about 25 minutes or so there didn't seem to be much point in continuing.   I can't recall a more idiotic film.

It was far more interesting in 1969 (the year I graduated high school, BTW) than it is now.      

It was the film that gave us Jack Nicholson though. That in itself is value-added.