Lovely Jazz Vinyl . . . But at What Price?
I’m watching a lot of rare jazz records on ebay now that have reserve prices. As a seller, I used to occasionally use reserves, but as a buyer I find them annoying. I’d much rather place a bid and know that, if it is the top bid, then I will get the record. Even though I rarely buy on eBay these days, there is a record I’m watching closely, as we are getting close to my birthday once again. I probably shouldn’t mention it here because that will only heighten the interest, but it’s doubtful I’ll actually bid for it so here goes: Freddie Redd, Shades of Redd, Blue Note 4045. This is an original pressing that looks to be in VG+ condition for the record and probably VG++ for the cover. The bidding closes in four days and is in the $150 range, but it has not yet reached the seller’s reserve price.
The seller vinyl.unlimited has a great batch of records on eBay now, but they mostly seem to have reserve prices as well, and many have not yet reached those prices. Some of the listings are:
Kenny Dorham, Quiet Kenny, New Jazz 8225. This is an original promo copy listed in M- condition for the record and VG++ for the cover. Even though the bidding has already surpassed $1,500, it has not yet reached the reserve price.
it seems each of these records is on my want list. Here’s another: Lou Donaldson, Quartet, Quintet, Sextet, Blue Note 1537. This is an original Lexington Avenue pressing. The record and cover are in VG++ condition. The bidding is in the $280 range.
May as well finish with yet another from my want list: Cliff Jordan, Cliff Craft, Blue Note 1582. This is also an original pressing. The record and cover are both in VG++ condition. The bidding is in the $450 range and, as with every record posted here today, it has not yet reached the reserve price.
I rarely bid on lps that have a reserve as they certainly are annoying. As a seller, when I list an lp, I’ll put a starting price at the minimum I’ll accept for a sale. I understand fees are a bit lower if the seller’s starting price is lower, but a reserve often results in a no sale, which is a waste of time for everyone. As a seller, I would rather start my sale at a high price, get only 2 bids, and have it result in a sale… rather than put in a reserve, get 38 bids and have no sale.
i also find reserves to be irritating. i have only a tangential understanding of them. i once bid on a record that had a reserve, and was the top bidder, but did not meet the reserve. i told the seller i’d be happy to pay my top bid price, and he said sure, and we arranged a sale. it was an NM copy of yusef lateef’s “other sounds”. i still love it. but then why did he have the reserve? silly.
i almost never bid on reserve LPs these days. waste of energy if you ask me.
I have many collectible lp I would not sell “today”, but if the dollars are right I could be motivated. I guess reserves can be useful to test the market.
Auction bidding should serve both side: give the seller the higher price from all bidders, let the bidder the chance to buy in a lower (than the) market price. Reserve price serve the seller only.
I usually skip..
In the auction world, whether it be ebay or somewhere else, reserves are a questionable practice. In a sense, the reserve system defeats having an auction at all. As the above posters noted, the reserve heavily serves the seller, but not in anyway does it serve the buyer. Reserves are an example of sellers both having cake and eating it.
Ten inch Lps at buy it now, best offer, listed on eBay, seller bsidechi.
Just thought I’d let you know what I’m doing
Lennib: please advise how to find seller bsidechi on EBay. There should be a tool, I asked EBay but no reply. How to proceed, what is the gimmick?
thanks
Rudolf, click Advanced Search then Find A Member. Here is is: http://www.ebay.com/sch/bsidechi/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=25&_trksid=p3692
Aaron, thanks for link. Seemingly I forgot to do this. Usually type in ,under advanced search, seller name and you can get linked to seller.