What Am I Doing Wrong?

I've had some plate blocks listed on ebay; they are mostly very modern (1976 to 1990). They are post office fresh, very nice condition. The total face value is just over $250, I have it listed at $165. For weeks there has been no interest.

But this seller...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/321936881477/?rmvSB=true



is able to get bids up to $163 for 50 three cent plate blocks ($6 face value)???? These wouldn't even be very good for postage, I am missing something?
Don

shill bidding? 588 & 785 did all the bidding after the initial bids

Look at his completed items. Similar lots at similarly ridiculous results (although this one is by far the worst). His feedback isn't just low-feedback buyers so I don't know what's going on. Either clueless buyers or an orchestrated shilling operation.

Also, sometimes auctions starting at $0.99 get far more interest and activity than fixed-price listings, even if the end result is considerably higher than had they just purchased the fixed-price equivalent to begin with.

One wonders what the end result will be.

I don't see any signs of shills. Perhaps the buyers are hoping to find "gems" to have graded and offer at crazy prices? Or perhaps prices are improving for 3 cent plate blocks?

If it is indeed clueless buyers, how come I can't seem to find them? When you guys list, do you have clueless buyers bidding stuff up like that? Will generic plate blocks get more attention under 'plate blocks' or 'postage'
Don

Don, since you've had no luck listing them under plate blocks, try postage. You have nothing to lose

Don: Is your image anything like his? That's a great stack.

Although he shows a stack, the listing is really only for 50 plate blocks, they are shown further down in his listing. I think if these mostly as a commodity to be valued based upon face value. I have a Durlands and know that there can be some rare plate number, but I don't see anything like that in this listing.

As Dan mentioned, this fellow seems to always make out really well with his mint stamps.
Don

The market for mid-value postage is totally glutted. Postage at auction is going between 55% to 70% of face depending on the denominations and format (sheets, plate blocks or scrap. High value and Forever stamps are worth somewhat more on a good day. Scott numbers with buy prices are now few and far between. Some care has to be taken to make sure that shipping costs don't interfere. One seller, bel-kirkstamps does well with $30 postage lots. Others, like Dr. Bob sell in the $500 range. Lots between those values become expensive to ship relative to their value. The cost to ship is $2.54 under 3 ounces or $6.10 for a padded priority mail envelope plus another $3 for signature confirmation if the lot is in the upper half of the range.

Who loses? Collectors with large postage accumulations are now being offered only 40% of face, down from 50% a year or two ago.

Clark

If they are lucky. Most of the dealers I have spoken with are paying 20-30%, if they are buying at all. Low-denomination postage? Not buying at ANY price.

Thanks guys for the input, that was my feeling too. Which seems to make the listing I posted, as well as this seller's history, appear very suspect. 55 bids for $6 face value of incredibly common and low demand 3 cent plate blocks currently at $171? It has been going on so long it is hard to believe that there are that many clueless buyers. I just wanted a sanity check.
Don

even though they arnt good for postage you can add a second catagory of postage and get bigger bids.

@Jenny2u

I am new to online stamp auctions of any kind. You mentioned that you didn't see any signs of shilling. I was wondering what are the signs of shilling.

Can you shed some light on that for me.

thank you
wp62

If you see the mark "1/-" anywhere, that's a sign of shilling.

I've often wondered myself. I've listed stuff at 20% of catalog and get no bites at all but others *ahem* NYSTAMPS *ahem* seem to get 70%+ of catalog for even fine material.

Very frustrating.