Peter,
One reason for the listings increase may be the influx of British sellers who formerly listed under "Collectibles:Transportation:Bicycles". UK eBay now has a listing under "Sporting Goods:Cycling:Bike Parts" for Vintage Parts which cross posts into US eBay Vintage Parts. I've noticed several sellers I routinely track have either switched over to Vintage Parts (presumably for better US exposure) or co-list.
Phil Sieg Knoxville, Tennessee
Peter Naiman wrote:
>Doug; I'm observing high reserves as well as very high selling prices for individual componants on Ebay as well. When the economy was down over here, prices seemed to take a dip, but it seems as if all componants or the majority of desriable componants are hitting higher prices than I've previously noticed. As a seller, I won't complain, but I never run a resrve priced auction unless it's a full bike. I also can't remember the last time I've seen over 2000 item listed in the Cycling/Vintage section of Ebay.
>
> Best regards,
> Peter Naiman
> Glendale, WI
>
> P.S. Hoping to make the Hetchin's Rally and Northern Ireland in July.
>
>
>Doug Smith <doug@kingsweir.plus.com> wrote:
> I am absolutely astounded at the reserve price of goods required by some
>of the sellers on E.Bay. When I compare some of the inflated prices on
>E.Bay to those in other various scources in the UK the mind boggles. I
>use as an example a frame now been currently bid for and has reached in
>my opinion a reasonable offer but much too far away from the reserve to
>be met. So what is it makes some sellers appear to be anxious and
>exploit a market particularly to the customers in the USA where demand
>appears to be at its greatest.
>
>My comparison of the foregoing is based on my own example on a near
>indentical frame I have offered for sale here in the UK at less than the
>reserve price advertised on E.Bay and to date no buyers.My frame has a
>high specification and in NOS condition with only some of the orignal
>clear varnish discolouring in places. Whilst I am not really worried
>whether mine sells or not it does lead me to wonder where the buying and
>selling at what I consider inflated prices will end. I do realise the
>pricing and buying of goods has always been a personal matter between
>seller and buyer and the final outcome is there own business alone.
>
>Maybe I should'nt be so concerned over such matters but it really gets
>to me personally when I see this type of thing going on in our interest
>of restoring and collecting the classic bikes. The monitory thinking and
>actions by the few appears to spoil a pastime and hobby that is enjoyed
>by the majority who for some reason or other cannot always afford to buy
>in the present so called market!
>
>Doug Smith
>North Dorset
>UK