Recently in ebay Category
This year is turning out to be a bumper year for James Bond fans.
The Ian Fleming centenary has acted as a wonderful catalyst for the likes of Penguin, who are releasing a series of new covers, which are simply gorgeous.
Here's the one from Casino Royale:
It maybe new, but it's got that wonderful 60s retro feel.
The full set of books will be available at the end of May, though they haven't announced if they will be making a box set available yet.
Of course there's also the new Bond film which is set to be released on October 31st.
Earlier this year Royal Mail released a set of stamps to commemorate the centenary, while the Imperial War Museum is holding a really nice exhibition.
Of course the main thing behind Bond was the books, so you could do worse than spend some time acquiring some of the first editions. While you can get some of the first editions for as little as 30 or 40 euro there are some going under the auction hammer next Friday for prices ranging from 500 euro to ten thousand euro. More information is available on the Bloomsbury Auctions' site (you can bid via eBay)
The Ian Fleming centenary has acted as a wonderful catalyst for the likes of Penguin, who are releasing a series of new covers, which are simply gorgeous.
Here's the one from Casino Royale:
It maybe new, but it's got that wonderful 60s retro feel.The full set of books will be available at the end of May, though they haven't announced if they will be making a box set available yet.
Of course there's also the new Bond film which is set to be released on October 31st.
Earlier this year Royal Mail released a set of stamps to commemorate the centenary, while the Imperial War Museum is holding a really nice exhibition.
Of course the main thing behind Bond was the books, so you could do worse than spend some time acquiring some of the first editions. While you can get some of the first editions for as little as 30 or 40 euro there are some going under the auction hammer next Friday for prices ranging from 500 euro to ten thousand euro. More information is available on the Bloomsbury Auctions' site (you can bid via eBay)
Either there's an upsurge in Amazon phishing emails or the phishers only got my email address recently.
I've had about half a dozen phishing emails today purporting to be from Amazon regarding my "seller" account.
To start with I don't have a seller account.
The other giveaway sign is that although the links are similar to Amazon domains, they aren't Amazon domains.
They all seem to be subdomains of by.ru, which appears to be some sort of free hosting solution based in Russia (I don't speak Russian, so I'm only making an educated guess)
Unfortunately, while Amazon do have a facility for reporting phishing emails it is clearly not aimed at the "casual" end user or anyone who is short of time. It consists of a rather convoluted series of web forms instead of a simple email address.
While the likes of Paypal, Ebay and most of the major financial institutions make it relatively easy for even a novice to report phishing emails Amazon dare to be different.
While they may be getting the reports in from honeypots etc., surely it would make more sense to facilitate end user reports?
Am I missing something?
I've had about half a dozen phishing emails today purporting to be from Amazon regarding my "seller" account.
To start with I don't have a seller account.
The other giveaway sign is that although the links are similar to Amazon domains, they aren't Amazon domains.
They all seem to be subdomains of by.ru, which appears to be some sort of free hosting solution based in Russia (I don't speak Russian, so I'm only making an educated guess)
Unfortunately, while Amazon do have a facility for reporting phishing emails it is clearly not aimed at the "casual" end user or anyone who is short of time. It consists of a rather convoluted series of web forms instead of a simple email address.
While the likes of Paypal, Ebay and most of the major financial institutions make it relatively easy for even a novice to report phishing emails Amazon dare to be different.
While they may be getting the reports in from honeypots etc., surely it would make more sense to facilitate end user reports?
Am I missing something?
One of the things that drives me mad is when a "cheap" item has a high shipping price.
You know the scenario I'm sure. Item "costs" about 2 euro, but by the time you pay for shipping it's suddenly 30 euro.
If you're using eBay.com from Ireland there's an option to show the estimated shipping cost as part of the display columns. If I can't see a price or it's simply too high I won't bother bidding.
Now there is a difference between "too high" and simply "insane"
Check this out (click to enlarge):
It's obviously a glitch in their system, as the items' listings show a much saner shipping price.
Don't you just love computers?
You know the scenario I'm sure. Item "costs" about 2 euro, but by the time you pay for shipping it's suddenly 30 euro.
If you're using eBay.com from Ireland there's an option to show the estimated shipping cost as part of the display columns. If I can't see a price or it's simply too high I won't bother bidding.
Now there is a difference between "too high" and simply "insane"
Check this out (click to enlarge):
It's obviously a glitch in their system, as the items' listings show a much saner shipping price.
Don't you just love computers?
eBay Ireland have unveiled their helpline for their "most valued customers" ie. those of us who spend lots of money.
The guys in eBay had told me about this a few weeks ago, but I had been asked not to mention it in public until it was ready for primetime.
It will be interesting to see what kind of support levels they are going to offer via this new support service.
I'll have to try it out to see! (I currently have a couple of minor issues that I'd like to get resolved)
I've been using a very handy tool to help my eBay addiction over the last few days.
Bib Burglar is a "sniping" tool which basically bids for you in the last few seconds of an auction. Since it's a remote service you don't have to worry about leaving your desktop computer on 24/7.
The interface is very simple. All you need to do is provide the item / auction ID number, the maximum amount you want to bid (it will automatically use the currency of the eBay site) and how many of the items you want.
If your bid is too low you'll get an email to let you know that you are losing, so you can easily increase your max bid.
The only minor niggle is that the system works primarily based on the auction ID, which is probably faster than polling eBay's servers for the item name. So when you get a warning message about a potentially losing bid you've no way of knowing what it actually refers to until you login.
Apart from that one little issue it's a really nice service and you only pay the really low fees based on the items you win ie. if you don't win the auctions you don't have to pay for your bids.
If you signup you can get an unlimited trial account for a couple of weeks. I'm currently having fun abusing mine.
Bib Burglar is a "sniping" tool which basically bids for you in the last few seconds of an auction. Since it's a remote service you don't have to worry about leaving your desktop computer on 24/7.
The interface is very simple. All you need to do is provide the item / auction ID number, the maximum amount you want to bid (it will automatically use the currency of the eBay site) and how many of the items you want.
If your bid is too low you'll get an email to let you know that you are losing, so you can easily increase your max bid.
The only minor niggle is that the system works primarily based on the auction ID, which is probably faster than polling eBay's servers for the item name. So when you get a warning message about a potentially losing bid you've no way of knowing what it actually refers to until you login.
Apart from that one little issue it's a really nice service and you only pay the really low fees based on the items you win ie. if you don't win the auctions you don't have to pay for your bids.
If you signup you can get an unlimited trial account for a couple of weeks. I'm currently having fun abusing mine.
The frontpage of the main eBay site is probably worth visiting every few days, as they tend to highlight special auctions.
If you're a Scrubs fan then the one they're highlighting at the moment is probably a dream come through - a day on the set of Scrubs.
Current bidding stands at just over $1000 and is open to anyone who can work in the US (that's me out so!)
All proceeds to charity, naturally.
If you're a Scrubs fan then the one they're highlighting at the moment is probably a dream come through - a day on the set of Scrubs.
Current bidding stands at just over $1000 and is open to anyone who can work in the US (that's me out so!)
All proceeds to charity, naturally.
I am not happy.
Over the last two months I have spent a disproportionate amount of money on Ebay. I should be ashamed, but since that isn't likely to happen I shall condemn eBay.
Ebay - you are evil!
Why do you tempt me with cool and fun ways to spend money?
Why do you let me buy high quality goods at a fraction of their high street value?
According to my eBay control panel I've spent about EUR3000 in the last 60 days!!
What have I been buying?
1 x iMac desktop computer.
Lens for my digital SLR
Bluetooth headset for my mobile phone
Carrier bag holder (thing you hang on your kitchen door for holding plastic bags - couldn't find one in the shops...)
Batmobile - Corgi diecast models
Firewalls - well I do run a hosting company!
Over the last two months I have spent a disproportionate amount of money on Ebay. I should be ashamed, but since that isn't likely to happen I shall condemn eBay.
Ebay - you are evil!
Why do you tempt me with cool and fun ways to spend money?
Why do you let me buy high quality goods at a fraction of their high street value?
According to my eBay control panel I've spent about EUR3000 in the last 60 days!!
What have I been buying?
1 x iMac desktop computer.
Lens for my digital SLR
Bluetooth headset for my mobile phone
Carrier bag holder (thing you hang on your kitchen door for holding plastic bags - couldn't find one in the shops...)
Batmobile - Corgi diecast models
Firewalls - well I do run a hosting company!
I'm currently considering getting a Blackberry or similar device. Much as I love my N95 it's lack of a full keyboard wouldn't make it my ideal choice for email "on the go".
Since we're with Vodafone I naturally thought that checking their site would be a good idea.
How wrong could I be!
There is simply no sane way to see a list of available phones on their site.
Sure. You can lie and say you are a new client and get "a" list, but if you are an existing bill pay client you will end up looking elsewhere in frustration, as the site simply does not work.
You can't see the phones unless you login.
So, you login.
Can you now see the phones? No. That would be far too logical. Not only does it ask you to login (even though the top right of the page shows that you are already logged in) but it starts asking you irrelevant questions about upgrades.
Did I say I wanted an upgrade?
Do I even care if I am eligible?
No.
All I want to know is what phones are available and roughly how much they cost.
Is that too much to ask?
Sorry about the rant!
I feel calmer now!
I think I'll just head over to ebay instead...
Since we're with Vodafone I naturally thought that checking their site would be a good idea.
How wrong could I be!
There is simply no sane way to see a list of available phones on their site.
Sure. You can lie and say you are a new client and get "a" list, but if you are an existing bill pay client you will end up looking elsewhere in frustration, as the site simply does not work.
You can't see the phones unless you login.
So, you login.
Can you now see the phones? No. That would be far too logical. Not only does it ask you to login (even though the top right of the page shows that you are already logged in) but it starts asking you irrelevant questions about upgrades.
Did I say I wanted an upgrade?
Do I even care if I am eligible?
No.
All I want to know is what phones are available and roughly how much they cost.
Is that too much to ask?
Sorry about the rant!
I feel calmer now!
I think I'll just head over to ebay instead...
Ebay is packed with really odd items on sale and reasons for selling them
One of the girls in the office came across this one (I have no idea how!)
The item itself isn't that interesting, but the story is!
One of the girls in the office came across this one (I have no idea how!)
The item itself isn't that interesting, but the story is!
Although I've had some really good experiences on eBay, one vendor's practices make me sick to the stomach.
Shendenetworking market themselves as:
Shende Networking Co.,Ltd, ebay ID verified powerseller, is specialized in new and sealed Cisco products, including switch, firewall, router, GBIC&SFP,WIC,software,memories,cables etc... We provide high quality products and professional services to our customers. Happy bidding!However they actually sell counterfeit Cisco equipment. When we queried this with them one of their staff replied:
We never indicate that these units are original cisco items on ebay listing page.BUT if you look at any item these scammers are selling you'd get a very different impression We found out the hard way when we sent a defective switch into Cisco recently. It's a lot safer to buy from the likes of Hardware.com!
