Staggering Ebay Rip Off On Hand Levers?

[Ishima]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Watchmakers-lever-type-Watch-hands-removers-replace-tool-repair-set-of-2-/300723525342?hash=item460484d6de:g:6jgAAOSwZd1VcvnJ

Spotted these on ebay when trying to find a pair of these cheap hand levers in answer to another thread.

I read all through the products description and looked at the item closely, they look like a standard pair of unbranded, cheap indian/chinese hand levers that I've seen going for as little as £2, yet check out the price tag. 

Am I missing something, how can anyone charge that much for that sort of product? 

[oldhippy]

He says he's sold 251 sets, that's 251 people with money to burn they must be mad.

[chadders1966]

I've been told that this is what some sellers do when they don't have an item in stock. Rather than remove the listing they put a silly price in until they have it back in stock again.

Stephen

[Geo]

I've been told that this is what some sellers do when they don't have an item in stock. Rather than remove the listing they put a silly price in until they have it back in stock again.

Stephen

I'll second this.

[Ishima]

I suppose that makes some sense, not really familiar with the ins and outs of eBay. I'd like to think that there wasnt over 200 people who payed more money than it would cost to get a pair of horotec or bergeon hand levers for something made poorly in china. 

Edited February 25, 2016 by Ishima

[Endeavor]

My intention was to periodically service my own watch and therefore didn't want to invest in expensive watch-tools. Still try to get decent or good enough tools, but on a low budget. Just like with my electronic hobby, I went direct to the Chinese eBay market.

Finger cots, hands puller, movement-holders, SS tweezers etc. I few things I couldn't find directly and thought it was maybe better (quality) to get them from the UK, like a good set of screwdrivers and oilers. I bought already 1x oil-needle out of China for £1.- including postage.

Found a nice (on the pictures) screwdriver set for £20 and oilers £5 by one of the big UK watch-parts/tools eBay sellers.

Guess what.......... both turned out to be very cheap & poor quality, made in India or so. The oilers were horrible; bend, twisted and the only sophistication done to the tip was a blow with a hammer, whereas the Chinese I bought earlier says "Swizz made" and has a very fine & nice machined tip. The screwdriver handles were reasonable, but I had to buy decent blades for them.

To me it seems that containers full of very cheap stuff gets shipped to the EU and sold on with a 500 - 1000% (or more) markup.

I bought German "Sternkreuz" eye loupes (not via eBay) and ask the seller about Bergeon eye loupes. He use to sell them, but not anymore since they are now Chinese made and of lower quality........

The 6x SS (VETUS) tweezers, which I bought directly out of China for £3.24 (free postage), turned out to be very nice and a pleasure to work with. So a hands-puller for £0.99 including postage. Latex finger cots are Latex finger cots; 100x for £0.99 including postage (in bulk obviously cheaper).

Edited February 26, 2016 by Endeavor

[oldhippy]

I've been told that this is what some sellers do when they don't have an item in stock. Rather than remove the listing they put a silly price in until they have it back in stock again.

Stephen

I didn't know that.

[Geo]

I didn't know that.

Changing the price is quicker and easier than re-listing,makos there will be no extra listing fee. I have also seen it done to hold an item on eBay while a negotiation is going on behind the scene to purchase it out with eBay. ;)

[stroppy]

Yep...bump up the price to cool activity on an out of stock item until you get replacements.  Quite common.

[Cad101]

Hmmmm does that mean that the ones I purchased of the bay for £2.69 are of a lower quality and I should have really gone for the supadupa expensive ones. :D

[oldhippy]

Hmmmm does that mean that the ones I purchased of the bay for £2.69 are of a lower quality and I should have really gone for the supadupa expensive ones. :D

If it does the job then fine. Just don't expect the tools to last.

[wls1971]

I've been told that this is what some sellers do when they don't have an item in stock. Rather than remove the listing they put a silly price in until they have it back in stock again.

Stephen

You must be right because the pair I bought from this seller where £3.98 and they have been perfectly fine in use I also bought some small cleaning baskets and those are very good for the price. they where quickly sent and I don't think this seller would rip any one off it must be as you say or a honest mistake.

[transporter]

Endeavour, how do you use chinese ebay, every time ive tried to look at ebay.cn I get a forbidden message come up.

[jdm]

Endeavour, how do you use chinese ebay, every time ive tried to look at ebay.cn I get a forbidden message come up.

You can use aliexpress, prices are lower than ebay and there is much bigger selection. It has become the platform of choice for Chinese retail.

[transporter]

Oh that's ok I thought you had found a magic way of using eBay.cn I use Ali for quite a few odds and sods can't beat the price but somethings quality is wanting

[jdm]

Oh that's ok I thought you had found a magic way of using eBay.cn I use Ali for quite a few odds and sods can't beat the price but somethings quality is wanting

 

It's the same stuff. You would't find bargain for Swiss tools on Ebay China. 

Edited March 21, 2016 by jdm

[SSTEEL]

Another eBay bargain...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/From-Watchmakers-Bench-Vintage-Cas-Ker-Co-Workstation-Mat-Watch-Repair-Tool/262506036470?_trksid=p2045573.c100034.m2102&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D38530%26meid%3D865fb13177b84e73b6b63e1784a10a19%26pid%3D100034%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D8%26sd%3D111869254555

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/Z-sAAOSwGIRXaYfe/s-l1600.jpg

Edited August 30, 2016 by SSTEEL

[oldhippy]

Some people will try and flog any old thing.

[SSTEEL]

Agreed, the seller of that garbage clearly doesn't know the connection with watchmaking, and cleanliness.

[david]

Check out the price for the same item with the name BERGEON stamped on it; probably made in the same Chinese factory out of the same material. If you really want to save some money check out a video by BUNN SPECIAL. He made his own set from a couple of strands of steel cable.

david

[MilTimeCan]

On 8/30/2016 at 8:37 AM, oldhippy said:

Some people will try and flog any old thing.

sadly they do, and locally it's worse.

This person has been flogging a pocket watch for 85$ Can:

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-jewelry-watch/ottawa/gunmetal-black-mechanical-hand-winding-pocket-watch-brand-new/1195761710 

Something that he/she bought for under 30$ with free shipping

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Orkina-Retro-Grey-Gun-Metal-Color-Hand-Wind-Mechanical-Torbillon-Pocket-Watch-/201622248071?hash=item2ef19f5a87:g:VqIAAOSwyKxXhYHl 

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