Can you explain this ebay auction to me?

**jeffrey** · 12-07-2009, 04:20 PM

Never understood those either - I know that there is a reason for some cards - for example, Costco gift cards can be used at the Costco gas stations even if you aren't a member. The savings for gas can make the card worth a bit more than its face value to those who aren't members.

**disneysteve** · 12-07-2009, 05:07 PM

I know that sometimes people have some type of coupon or they are combining a coupon with an affinity credit card to double dip on rewards of some sort so that paying a bit more than face value can make sense. It just happens so regularly that I'm wondering if I'm missing some great way to save/make money.

This auction ends in a few minutes and is up to $131. What kind of deal could they possibly have that makes paying an extra 31% worthwhile?

**Seeker** · 12-07-2009, 05:12 PM

There are also "gift card" collectors.

Many stores update their designs from year to year, and one person I know (who has shoeboxes full of them) does not always have the time to go out collecting them.

He says that if you hold them for a while, they become worth more to collectors. Even the ones from places no longer in business. People also trade them... the artistic ones are quite popular.

Amazon's is pretty simple though

and TBH I don't think that they're a business that will fold anytime soon.

If I were a collector though, I'd be looking for the lowest value card denomination and the most artistic cards I could find.

**disneysteve** · 12-07-2009, 05:19 PM

Auction ended for $142.49 for a $100.00 gift certificate.

Seeker, this auction wasn't for an actual physical card/certificate. It was just for the code to be e-mailed to you. That would rule out any type of collector.

**moneybags** · 12-08-2009, 03:53 AM

Could it have something to do with international buyers? I think with itunes gift cards, international buyers could access itunes only with a gc, but couldn't buy them cheaper elsewhere. My facts may be fuzzy, as I got this info a while back.

**mom-from-missouri** · 12-08-2009, 10:18 AM

Is it a fundraiser for a group?? Our girls used to belong to a school that always had donated items on ebay as fundraisers. Often times there were gift cards and they went for over the value--but on those auctions it states it is for a charity....

**creditcardfree** · 12-08-2009, 11:36 AM

If this is really the case, then I could purchase some amazon gift cards and get a return on my money!! I want to know what this is about, too.

**simpletron** · 12-08-2009, 11:39 AM

I know bing has offer up to 35% cashback on ebay in the past. But I don't think it is currently 35%(I got 8%) and it must be used on a buy-it now item. 142.49*.65=92.62

**disneysteve** · 12-08-2009, 12:37 PM

Originally posted by simpletron View Post

I know bing has offer up to 35% cashback on ebay in the past. But I don't think it is currently 35%(I got 8%) and it must be used on a buy-it now item. 142.49*.65=92.62

This was just over 42% over face value so even that wouldn't explain it.

**simpletron** · 12-08-2009, 01:40 PM

Originally posted by disneysteve View Post

This was just over 42% over face value so even that wouldn't explain it.

yes it does because 35% of 142.49 is 49.87, so the total cost is only 92.62(.65*142.49). you only need about ~29.82% off to get back to face value. but this was an auction, so it couldn't be applied anyways, but it could explain other buy-it now with paypal auctions.

**jasonnoguchi** · 12-08-2009, 05:23 PM

Beats the hell out of me 0_o

Charity auction?

--------------------------------

Update:

WAIT A MINUTE!!!! I SEE WHY!

"Returns:
7 day money back, buyer pays return shipping | Read details"

Make any sense now?

**cptacek** · 12-08-2009, 08:45 PM

maybe I'm naive, but I still don't get it.

**kork13** · 12-09-2009, 03:15 AM

Originally posted by jasonnoguchi View Post

Beats the hell out of me 0_o

Charity auction?
--------------------------------
Update:

WAIT A MINUTE!!!! I SEE WHY!

"Returns:
7 day money back, buyer pays return shipping | Read details"

Make any sense now?

ummm...... use the code, then "return" it for your $143 back? if that's possible, it definitely makes the most sense....

**rennigade** · 12-09-2009, 09:12 AM

Originally posted by kork13 View Post

ummm...... use the code, then "return" it for your $143 back? if that's possible, it definitely makes the most sense....

what do you mean "return" it? Use the code then file a complaint through paypal saying the code didn't work to get your money back? Sadly that would probably work since paypal is a joke.

I sold a $50 kmart gc once. The person paid like $45 and left me positive feedback after a couple days. A week later paypal did some "random audit" on that particular transaction and refunded the money back to the buyer. So the buyer received their $45 back plus they already used the $50 gc, even though the buyer was clearly happy with the transaction. I tried emailing paypal asking wtf is going on and didnt get anywhere. I had to file a complaint with the BBB. I was finally reimbursed the $45 to my account.

That was my second complaint through the BBB against payapl. The first was I purchased an item that was never sent to me. After the alloted time for a paypal resolution, paypal said something to the extent, " could not retrieve funds from seller." So again I was sh*t outta luck. Filed another complaint through BBB and eventuall got my $140 back.

Just to let people know, there is hardly any protection when using ebay/paypal. Just make sure you use a cc when purchasing items, at least then you can do a chargeback. I know a lot of you never had an issue with either but when you do you'll be amazed how quickly they brush you off. That paypal protection up to $1000 is nonesense. I have a 70 postiive 100% positive feedback and thats how they role.

Can you explain this ebay auction to me?