Susan's comments about how eBay has affected pricing reminded me of some of
my own observations and what I've learned from discussions with local camera
and pawn shop owners.
Locally (Fort Worth/Dallas) eBay doesn't appear to have influenced pricing
so much. These shops are using eBay to increase potential "traffic", so to
speak - to make desirable items available to a larger customer base. For
example, a tiny camera shop I recently visited has a very nice
Can-not-an-OM-on breechlock mount 85mm f/1.8 FD that's been sitting in the
case for months - maybe years. I forget their asking price but it was in
line with KEH pricing for the same item. Problem is, this shop gets very,
very little walk-in traffic.
So, do they take the pittance I might offer, hoping to steal the thing, or
go the eBay route? More than likely they'll try the eBay route first. And
who can blame them. If I want the thing badly enough I'll offer something
nearer their asking price. That's how the market - and haggling - works.
BTW - OM content - this shop has one of those Olympus flash elevator
thingies that raises the flash higher, presumably to reduce redeye.
Personally it looks to me like it would put too much stress on those
delicate shoes 1-4. Anyone interested? I think they wanted $25, but
probably would take less. M&C Camera, Grapevine, Texas. This shop carries
very little OM gear. They also had a somewhat overpriced chrome OM-2N and
an off-brand 28mm lens. That's it.
===========
Lex Jenkins
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