Why pay "more" for USED??

Some things have gone for more here. Back when HCM Audio first started auctioning those Krell-Soundstream DAC-1 converters they would consistantly go for $250 here and $150 on eBay.

I also decided for fun to demo some of those new Zu Cables being auctioned on AudiogoN . At first Zu Cable was using Audiogon and eBay. I got a pair of the Oxy-Fuel interconnects on eBay for $45 (List is $90). They've been going for around $65 here. I also got a 10 meter pair of the Julian speaker cables on eBay for $90. Two pairs went here for around $155 (List is $240). Consequently Zu Cable has not been back on eBay since then. I must have gotten them for less than their cost. I've tried the Oxy-fuel interconnects. They are very good even for the $90 list. The high's are very clear. A little light in the bass, but still good detail. But what do you want for the price? I would put them in the class with the $200 Nordost Blue Heaven. I have not demo's the Julian Speaker cables yet.

I watched this auction also. Macm, bid history is suspicious, but I can vouch for the sellers. They are first class and would not try to manipulate the process; check their eBay feedback. I bought a pair of B&W CDM-NTs from them last August and later bid on a pair of N804s that got too expensive for me. I traded multiple e-mails and a couple of phone calls with them and found them to be professional and sincere. I suspect that we are simply dealing with an uninformed or trouble-making bidder (ZERO feedback). This guy will probably run away from this deal. I expect to see item re-listed shortly because the deal fell apart. I do find the second place bid a little curious though. This bidder has some auction experience and still tried to overpay.

I have to agree with Macm that something doesn't smell right. However, I really don't believe the seller's were trying to cheat since they included and honest and very detailed discription of the speakers. I thought it might be shield bidding. That's when one person bids a low amount and his "buddy" bids a ridiculously high amount to ward off other bidders. At the last minute the high bidder cancels his bid and the low-ball bidder wins. But if you look at the history it didn't work that way. Who knows...

Look a little deeper. There is another auction on eBay for a pair if 802'2, a pair of 805's, and a HTM1 all NIB for $8k no reserve. It is hard to understand how one would pay so high for damaged speakers when so much more is available in another auction. I agree with Macm - it looks like shill bidding to me.
I watch eBay quite frequently, looking for a "steal", and often notice items going for well above market for new. I even saw an email from a retailer who sells on eBay to a bidder that bid above what the retailer sells the item for new (smart marketing). I have found that, for midfi consumer electronics, you can go to www.pricescan.com and find what the item is selling for new on the net.
Cheers.

It seems to me thatthe "Buy it Now" feature on eBay is agreat addittion. If something has a fair (or even cheap) Buy it Now price, and it is what you want, just get it, don't screw with the auction. Of course, you may not be able to get a real "steal" but it seems thise things are pretty rare anyway.