Fuzzy photos on E-Bay. A purpose to it all?

dewman · Post by **dewman** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 4:22 pm

Me thinks so. It's just not THAT hard to get semi-good photos of a knife with a little due deligence and perseverance. A good example is this one. Makes one wonder if the person is on the level or just not too interested in offering up a good look at their product.

http://cgi.ebay.com/vintage-Remington-p ... dZViewItem

marcinek · Post by **marcinek** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 5:22 pm

I'm with you dewman...a fuzzy pic of anything on eBay makes me say "I'll pass."

Why risk it.

smiling-knife · Post by **smiling-knife** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 6:02 pm

I agree that it isn't that difficult to take a decent picture. Based on a description and a fuzzy pic, I have bought a few gems for next to nothing. Of course, sometimes it doesn't work out. It would certainly make me wary of spending any serious money. I don't rule out this sort of listing automatically though. Just my 2p.

justold52 · Post by **justold52** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 6:08 pm

YUP PERS this one looks bad to me too.

I have come out real good on people poorly listing and poor photos.
It makes for a small bidding field.
I all ways check first to see what else the seller is selling...

jonet143 · Post by **jonet143** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 6:38 pm

went back to his feedback and looked at earlier pics. most closeups are blurry, others are clear. just a bad photographer in my opinion.

some sellers have bad pictures. does'nt mean they are rip-offs. if you are interested , write them and ask for better views and or more description. i have bought a couple of gems even thought the pics were bad.

i know a lot of us on this site have struggled with photography on this site.

marcinek · Post by **marcinek** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 7:30 pm

Interesting points everyone!

I can see how going after a "fuzzy wuzzy" crap shoot might end up winning one a bargain. Interesting tactic!!

Its also a good point that many of us (myself included) have struggled with pix here. Of course, we weren't trying to sell anything. We were just showing off our babies to our virtual knife buddies.

I dunno...bad pix and/or inflated shipping really puts me off.

By the way, anybody getting any good deals on the Bay, because I've been checking lately, and it seems that, for a current production knife, you're usually better off going with one of the many trusted e-stores (like our Member websites).

Are there deals to be had with vintage knives? I really do not have the level of knowledge to know one way or the other.

Gunsmoke47 · Post by **Gunsmoke47** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 7:56 pm

marcinek, I agree on the newer knives stick with the stores especially if it is AAPK members (or anyone you know and trust) .... I have used 2 different AAPK members stores and have had wonderful dealings.

To me, it's hard to get GREAT deals on ebay. Fair deals, yes, but great deals are much more seldom for the simple reason that there are so many knowledgeable collectors out there that watch ebay like a hawk. It's hard to slip past those guys.

The best place I have found to get good deals on vintage knives are at knife shows. You can pick them up and view them 1st hand and most of the dealers will dicker with you. There again, the dealers know what they are worth so it probably won't be a GREAT deal, just a good deal!

Just my opinion which ain't worth much to anyone but me!

Kelley

marcinek · Post by **marcinek** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 8:49 pm

Thanks gunsmoke! I was curious!

I'm pretty new to the slipjoint thing, but not new to eBay (I spent a good deal of time a couple years ago buying camera stuff)...

\begin{old_timer_rant}
Seems to me there was a time a fella could get a deal on eBay...but not any more I tells ya! These punk kids with their Blackberries, iPods, and HulaHoops ruined the whole thing! Gahhh! Fiddlesticks!
\end{old_timer_rant}

Got some good camera/lens deals, though, way back when. Haven't seen any slippie "steals," now though.

muskrat man · Post by **muskrat man** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 8:50 pm

marcinek wrote:I'm with you dewman...a fuzzy pic of anything on eBay makes me say "I'll pass."

Why risk it.

If I know exactly what I'm looking at or it's cheap enough to take the risk, I got for it. I've gotten some really good deals like that. But it isn't that hard to get decent pictures of your product and will likely sell higher providing it's what you say it is of course!

El Lobo · Post by **El Lobo** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 9:16 pm

I love this type.....

Here I am ( fourth from the left) with Jim Bowie's "SandBar Bowie knife."

You can clearly see it on my belt. This is the ONLY time I've carried it, so it is in cleaned to mint condition, almost NIB. My grandfather picked it up off the dusty floor in one of the rooms at the Alamo. I think it was still in the acid-free paper in the box, but my friend, a professional refurbisher, has made sure that even Rezin Bowie would be astounded at how well Ol' Jim hisself took care of it.
Comes with a signed 10k, gilded COA. Your friends will be amazed at your good fortune should you win this auction. Low reserve...bidding is private. I am sacrificing this by starting the bidding a $0.99...can you believe it??

Bid now...bid often...bid to win!!!

marcinek · Post by **marcinek** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 9:27 pm

Ha! That's a good one el lobo!

Nobody's stupid enough to buy that story!

Besides, I just bought Jim Bowie's actual knife on eBay. The micarta handle, D2 blade, and Kydex sheath are awesome.

That Jim Bowie...he really knew his knives!

Gunsmoke47 · Post by **Gunsmoke47** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 9:27 pm

You're such a kidder Sir Wolf!

Anyone with eyes knows you are the 5th from the left! Tallest one in the bunch. Nice 1st generation Colt SAA .45 you got strapped to your hip!

remington collector · Post by **remington collector** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 9:30 pm

I think that knife is actually in pretty decent shape, it should be a RC-7, having the black bone handles, tip bolsters , and a spear for a main blade. I' ve saw a lot of these with inked on pattern numbers that wore off quickly. I think the seller is on the level with this knife.

marcinek · Post by **marcinek** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 9:45 pm

I'm sure the seller is on the level too, remington...100% positive feedback...

Just saying that maybe checking the screen on the back of the digital camera first might instill even more confidence in buyers, that's all.

That or switching to autofocus....

Blade Runner · Post by **Blade Runner** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 11:46 pm

Personally, I see nothing wrong with being able to see what I'm buying. A bad picture whether intentional or not hinders my ability to make an informed decision. Sure you may get a good deal from time to time on a listing with bad pics, but how can you read a knife you can't see?? I would much rather pay a fair price for a good knife than to depend on blind luck. I am very aloof even with good pics and much prefer first hand observation, simply because too much can be missed in a picture, like an extra kick mark on a back spring or a ragged bolster pin. I have seen some damn good handle repairs in recent years that would go un-noticed without good lighted magnification. You can call me extreme or old fashioned but I'm gonna have a long hard look at anything I buy.
Take Care
Gary