9 Oct
2005
9 Oct
'05
noon
On Sat, 8 Oct 2005, Jay West wrote:
This does bring up a question I've been wondering
as to the mindset of a
scrapper/surplus dealer (in general, not a specific one), perhaps someone
here can posit an explanation. I've seen a fair number of situations where a
dealer/scrapper offers an item (not necessarily on ebay) for a price far
above the going price. You offer them an amount above going prices, and far
above scrap value... but even that is significantly less than their initial
price. They refuse, and the item goes to the melting pot. I know for a fact
that they are getting much less money in the melting pot than I was
offering. I've seen this more than just once or twice. If I was in their
position, I'd take double the melting pot money. I don't get it.
It's a psychological thing. They need to maintain control over what they
ask and get for the stuff they sell or else their customers start to cause
them more time and trouble than they care to deal with. There's no
emotion in it for them, just dollar signs. If you pay what they want then
all is well. If not, they send the stuff off to the smelter and the next
load of crap comes in, just like last week, and just like next week.
Not saying it's good or bad either way, just that you need to understand
the scrapman and he'll become your best friend. Some are cool, some are
dicks.
--
Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival
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