Post #180084 by Rum Numb Davey on Tue, Aug 16, 2005 1:58 PM

Kai:

I am an ebay mug buyer, but I am going to slow down. i have spent over $1,000 over the last two months and I feel I went on a crazy buying spree. I am happy with all the mugs I scored, but on more than one occasion it just looked different in the photo, OR I did not look closely at it or I wanted this 40 year old item to be brand new.
I am not going to have mug envy anymore, and get in these crazy bidding wars. I frankly cannot afford it, and I feel there is a shark feeding frenzy out there at times. This is supposed to be FUN and relaxed. i got mad at a gal for pulling a puffer fish off an auction last week. Now, I am mad at myself for over reacting and snapping at her over it. It is a free market and people freely chose to engage commercially in it. I believe we have all been guilty of overcharging and overpaying for items. That is why people should think twice before hitting that magic confirm button.
I believe if you cannot waste $300.00 on a nice dinner, than you have no business buying a mug for $300.00 on ebay. Speculation and creating bogus scarcity on kitschy ceramic mugs is what will harm the collecting hobby/lifestyle. I hope we as a group don't become like the boorish antique fancy with their elite posturing, fanatical bidding wars, and absurd mindset of grading in scale. In fairness, we have not seen the mugs and dispute and cannot mediate your dispute. It is between you, her, and ebay, but I always say buyer BEWARE. I hope you resolve this matter peacefully and honestly. Less Judgement..more tiki fun and frivolity! More exotica and cocktails..more hedonism..less antagonism.