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No this is not about a seller of fake items, or how eBay helps foster them.  This is a confession. Since I have spent the last 40 minutes or so praying to God, and promising Him that should he deliver me from my own stupidity I would confess it to the World.  This is a tale of a man who to save about $5.00 almost cost himself thousands!   While I have never been one to wait until the last minute to bid on an item (generally I forget about them before I could do that) I did happen to be looking earlier today and found a David Jansen autograph on eBay.  One of my all time favorite made-for-tv movies of the 1970s was Moon of the Wolf starring David Jansen and Brad Dillman.  I thought I would like to have his autograph and found several checks on eBay for $49.95.  Then I found an auction for something around $16.00 what the hay I would bid on that one.  During the day I got outbid so when I got home from work I checked again.  I thought I will bid up to $44.99 that is $5.00 less than the ones listed.  So, I merrily typed in what I thought was 44.99 and a box came up that said something about bids over a certain amount might not be honored by PayPal and the bidder might have to contact the seller.  I thought gee I never saw that before must be something new...CLICK. My bid went in, and I was the high bidder!!! I was very happy.  There comes a time when a grin on the face changes to a look of utter horror.  I happened to look at my maximum bid it was not $44.99 it was $4,499.00!!! Somehow when i clicked the period on my computer it must not have registered!  So there I was staring at the possibility of having to spend $4,499.00 on a David Jansen signed check!!!  Normally I am very good in stressful situations but a feeling of sheer panic set in.  Maybe I could dye my hair and set off for Mexico even though it didn't do that great for that rich kid in Texas.  Then I thought ok the only way I will have to pay that much is if my long-lost idiot identical twin brother was bidding on the same check.  Fortunately, as i watched the seconds pass like hours and bid go up up just under my original mark finally the moment where the green box says YOU HAVE WON THIS AUCTION at the price was under my $44.99 original bid!  So, I have now fulfilled my promise to God to show my stupidity to the World (thankfully I thought twice before offering to work in a Leper Colony).

Tags: David, Jansen

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I was on the edge of my seat living it, lol.

Scott
You are far from Alone I promise you. I have owed you a response for Quite awhile. Since I am doing my best to stay honest & cut down (as I should) on the # of Sins of any type to confess then I must admit to letting depression, Apathy & other Human foibles keep me from answering Emails, taking proper steps to sell off every Autograph not Important to me in some Personal, positive Nostalgic way, same with other Memorabilia & almost every Antique, other Collectible & even Newer (but Unused) Item I Own & a few other Issues as well. I think I am starting to get a grip though. My Step dad has Stage 4 Liver Cancer and I have to be present & Want to be Present for him & my Mother. It bothers me that it seems as if Cancer in the Family is what got my attention though. Enough of this though. I am still looking for Maudie Prickett, Cathy Lewis, Harriett MacGibbon, Bobby Buntrock, Bobby Driscoll and Other's. I am going to begin Selling Off every Autograph, Movie Poster, Still Photo, Celebrity Owned/Used or Worn Item I have no attachment to Right Away & many other things. I think I'd much Prefer Paying the Few Monthly Bills I have left off, Saving some Emergency Cash for Veterinary Emergencies, Tithing or Offering $$ to help homeless Kid's, Abused animals & most important Helping Persecuted Jews Escape (anywhere these days) from Lichtenstein to France & Bulgaria, etc. Also want to have a little $$$ to help Christians & Yezidi's Escape Syria & Iraq since neither Our POTUS & Very few if Any EU Leaders have lifted a finger to Stop Slaughter of Kid's as young as 2 or the Parents, elderly. It seems Only Muslim (Men mostly, 14 - 45) with or W/Out Documentation are the Newest PC Poster babies everywhere (I Refuse to even attempt Understanding such Insanity) Egad! I have almost No Experience Selling Autographs or Posters & Other Thing's. When I have Sold Signed Items (Usually to Respected UACC Dealer's) I've made perhaps $800.00 on 30 to 50 Signed Photo's, Contract's (etc) though there have always been 3 to Six Signed Pieces in such a Sale which I'd had to Pay $300 to $800.00 Each and, Well ... It seems that is the Only Way the Biggest, Best & most Safe (when BUYING FROM) Auction Houses and Dealer's Role. If Any of them Pay Close to the Known Sander's Guide Prices or Prices they Know I most likely Truly Paid & Assure they Will almost Certainly Profit Nicely if they Paid (say, $500.00 for a SP I Paid $1,150.00 for & Sander's Guide is a Tad higher) then I have NEVER MET Him or Her. I have much Respect for One of them but Still Dealers seem Unfair when Buying. So, No Idea If I Can make any of my Original Investment Back trying to Sell here or Not. EBay Charges too Much in Fee's, Consignment is the Worst, So ... Any Ideas? I will Listen because I am Tired of Almost Giving Some things Away. Even with Vintage or Rare Polish & Other Movie Posters, Stills, Lobby Cards it seems like everyone wants $800.00 Poster's for $75.00 to $150.00 & I don't get such Cheapness, ha, ha. Maybe because I've Paid (BETTE Davis, Norma Shearer) Prices for Reta Shaw, Whitney Blake or Peggy Cass Type Signatures in an Auction if I wanted it bad enough. Let me know how you are and Sorry I said way to much, Kevin
Riversattic1993@Aol.Com

Hi there Kevin I know I would never get out a fraction of what I have paid for autographs over the years.  I have cut down on my collecting in recent months.  I have a lot of autographs in areas I do not collect anymore, but hate the idea of selling anything.  Maudie Prickett Reta Shaw, Whitney Blake and Peggy Cass were great I all of those.  I am freezing at the moment with our -0 weather here! 

Collecting is 80% pleasure and 20% investment. Sometimes we forget that there may come a time that selling is needed or desired. Just as having a plan on what to buy a person has to develop a plan on how to sell when it comes time. Selling requires much patience if you are to get your money back or make a profit. As long as you have a quality, authentic autograph don't be too hasty to sell. Market your item and ask more than you want. Too often, we don't get a higher selling price because we didn't ask for a higher amount. If a seller does not value what they have, the buyer never will either. Just my humble thoughts.

I just cannot seem to let go of any autographs once I get them.  I keep finding better examples. If I ever have to sell anything I will not expect to get what I paid for it since as you said 80 percent is the pleasure of collecting.  I considering my collecting as entertainment.  I keep making lists of autographs that I would be willing to sell.  Then next time I look at the list I start removing names.  It is somewhat of a game.

Get auction sniper. Bids for you and you can edit your bid amount. Will save you money!!

I had a very similar experience in a non-ebay, online rock poster auction. As with ebay, you can either straight bid, or put in a limit bid. As I recall it, the item was in the $150 or so range, and I was pretty intent on buying it, so I put in what I thought was a limit bid of $250. Like you, the decimal point seemed to have been omitted. When I went back to my bid history page, I saw my $25,000 bid, and flipped out. Fortunately, I have dealt with the auction company, they were available by both e-mail and phone immediately, and I called and had the bid corrected. I can't even recall if I won the particular item, or even what it was at this point. I will have to go back and check my old e-mail and report back.

I didn't even think about trying to get the bid retracted I was in a state of shock lol.  I only had 40 minutes or so until the auction ended so just sweated it out.  I am now extra cautious if I bid on anything.

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