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February 28, 2006
Ebay...
Raised their prices again this year, as well as two or three times last year if I remember correctly. Between Paypal and Ebay, total fees for low to mid-priced auctions (under $50) end up being 10-15% of the sale price. Considering Ebay owns both services, that almost feels like they get me coming and going. Google is setting themselves up to compete with Ebay late this year or early next (I hope, but it looks like); if they offer more competetive pricing, they will easily pull folks from Ebay, as many are upset with the constant string of rising fees.
One of Ebay's redeeming values is the 10 cent listing sales they run every 8-10 weeks or so. Around the first of the year I started gathering a crate of stuff together in anticipation of their next listing sale; they only give a few hours notice, but I was prepared when the email came last night, and I've just finished putting up near $600 worth of stuff, mainly Magic the Gathering cards this time, and a couple of games. Once I get through these I will start filling up the crate again.
This should put enough in my Paypal account to buy a new PC with no money out of pocket. I've been looking at returned/refurbished Dell XPS 400's; a good one with a dual core 3.2mhz processor, 1-2gb memory and 256mb vid card is around $850-$950, depending on the promotion of the day. It's not as scary as it sounds; I bought the PC I am using now the same way in April of 2003. It is almost 3 years old and I have never had problem 1 with it. I know people who spend $2000 on every new PC; I buy one about as often for around 60% less, and they last me 99% as long.
Whee, just had my first sale come through from a listing, a Pernicious Deed for Magic the Gathering.
Posted by TLorin at February 28, 2006 9:15 PM
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Comments
Hi...been readin your posts and just wanted to comment on the XPS 400.....i purchased one in Nov and its a great system but i think that unless your gonna buy in june or july you are kinda underestimating the price your gonna pay and the speed your gonna get....Looking at the dell site just for a few secs and comparing what i have it looks like as of now your looking at about 1500-1600 for a machine that you are describing...cuz your describing the one i have..lol
Have 2.8 processor (was the best value after my computations),2gig or ram,upgraded 256k high speed vid card,19"flat panel,dvd player and a dual layer burner and i payed 1700 for this one...runs good...no lag when playing Wow or anyother online game and with the server i have the transfers on a 100mbit net does realy well...gg...will read and post more later...Saint
Posted by: Saint7 at March 3, 2006 8:08 AM
Yes, but you are looking at the evil full-price Dell section! If you go under the 'Dell Outlet' you can buy refurbished and scratch and dent. Also, I am buying without the monitor which takes a huge chunk off.
One up there now is a Dual Core 3000 with 250g hard drive, and 256m ram for $829; another for $899 has the 2.8 but 2 gigs or Ram.
I'd never buy a new car, so I figure that could work in other areas of my life!
Anyhow, good to see ya! I'm off to poker and dinner prior to mucho sleep, race in the morning!
Posted by: TLorin at March 3, 2006 5:21 PM
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