I was amazed to see reprint BSP paperbacks (not even 1st editions) of South of No North and Factotum and one or two others recently selling on E-Bay (British seller and I assume British bidders) for unbelieveable prices, like $45 and $75. I can't figure out why because these Brit sellers and bidders have access to the same internet stores we do. Maybe it is just the frenzy of the bidding process. Still, shocking and making me really regret having given away and sold very cheaply to my local bookdealer, so many 1st edition BSP Buk paperbacks as I upgraded my collection.
Prices on EBay (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter MarkDB
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mjp
Founding member
It's odd, yes, but that's ebay. You never know what's going to happen. Sometimes ten people will bid on a trashed Hollywood paperback that isn't worth $5, and then the next week something that you think is going to go sky high doesn't even get a bid, or goes for a low opening bid.
I was wondering how many people here use ebay regularly. Maybe we could have an ebay forum. I know on the surface it doesn't seem to have much to do with Bukowski, but it's a great source if you don't have the $$$ to buy from 'real-world' dealers.
The only problem with that is I wouldn't post something in the forum that I hoped to bid on and win, because I wouldn't want to draw attention to it. Heh. But I guess as a heads-up for others if you see a good deal on something you already have...I dunno.
I was wondering how many people here use ebay regularly. Maybe we could have an ebay forum. I know on the surface it doesn't seem to have much to do with Bukowski, but it's a great source if you don't have the $$$ to buy from 'real-world' dealers.
The only problem with that is I wouldn't post something in the forum that I hoped to bid on and win, because I wouldn't want to draw attention to it. Heh. But I guess as a heads-up for others if you see a good deal on something you already have...I dunno.
HenryChinaski
Founding member
hummm....i've got loads of bs books on ebay for like 5/10 bucks apiece
mjp
Founding member
And then there are things like this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/CHARLES-BUKOWSK...010269708QQcategoryZ29223QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
That's not a $100 book by any means. Though the 4 bids are all from the same person, so who knows what's going on there.
http://cgi.ebay.com/CHARLES-BUKOWSK...010269708QQcategoryZ29223QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
That's not a $100 book by any means. Though the 4 bids are all from the same person, so who knows what's going on there.
HenryChinaski
Founding member
lol i got a copy of that book for free.
the same guy won both of those...someone should get him a price guide...
actually, the two same people were fighting over both!
actually, the two same people were fighting over both!
HenryChinaski
Founding member
wow...bone palace...101????LOL
HenryChinaski
Founding member
Wow Thats Even Worse!
mjp
Founding member
The legit (region 1) Barfly dvd is now going for $75...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=9106291207&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWA:IT&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=9106291207&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWA:IT&rd=1
zoom man
Founding member
Yes, would someone please help me understand the selling prices on those soft covers....
I completely freaked out when I saw the Bone Palace title going for that,
I thought
My god! that is my book from the lot of 15 I just sold to Denmark,
Ah, but Alas,
The next soft I saw from the same guy was not part of the lot I sold him,....
Did you start an ebay forum mjp?
I completely freaked out when I saw the Bone Palace title going for that,
I thought
My god! that is my book from the lot of 15 I just sold to Denmark,
Ah, but Alas,
The next soft I saw from the same guy was not part of the lot I sold him,....
Did you start an ebay forum mjp?
cirerita
Founding member
this French guy surely has a lot of money...
http://cgi.ebay.com/Charles-Bukowsk...010623600QQcategoryZ29223QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/Charles-Bukowsk...010623600QQcategoryZ29223QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
cirerita said:
Well, no offence to him, but look here:
http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewBidItems&userid=alainmarcel123&completed=1&all=1&rows=100&sort=3
Is he planning to open a Bukowski shop do you think? Or just stockpiling for the collapse of civilisation?
Maybe he has a magic credit card? :rolleyes:
mjp
Founding member
Well, that is just fucking weird, that guy.
But it's funny, he could change the value of the Black Sparrow editions of books single handedly. Well, not single handedly - he has to have someone equally insane to bid against. If you doubt that, just remember that in the summer of 2003 two people changed the value of Bukowski manuscripts, almost overnight, and they did it on eBay.
From 1998 to 2003, Scott Harrison of Abandoned Planet bookstore in San Francisco sold hundreds of Bukowski manuscripts on ebay for $75 to $300. Some of what he sold was marginal, less valuable stuff (later Xeroxes and computer printouts), but he also sold many priceless gems (like an original poem typescript from 1979 - I've never seen another original sell on eBay, ever, and only a few through rare book dealers pre-eBay).
In 2003 Scott told me he was at the end of his manuscripts - literally down to the last dozen (not true, obviously, as he continues to list them two or three years later) - and for some reason, a couple of big bidders suddenly came out of the woodwork to buy. So during the summer of 2003, the manuscripts jumped from $75-$300 to $1100-$1200, virtually overnight.
The higher prices may be a more accurate, considering the prices comparative author's manuscripts go for, but then Bukowski created more manuscripts than most comparative authors. In any event, it was weird to see stuff go for $1225 when I bought better poems from the same book manuscript for $80.
But the reason you see less than stellar manuscripts selling now in the $700 - $1000 range is because of those two guys. Whoever is bidding up these shit-condition common BS paperbacks could have a similar impact. Stranger things have happened.
But it's funny, he could change the value of the Black Sparrow editions of books single handedly. Well, not single handedly - he has to have someone equally insane to bid against. If you doubt that, just remember that in the summer of 2003 two people changed the value of Bukowski manuscripts, almost overnight, and they did it on eBay.
From 1998 to 2003, Scott Harrison of Abandoned Planet bookstore in San Francisco sold hundreds of Bukowski manuscripts on ebay for $75 to $300. Some of what he sold was marginal, less valuable stuff (later Xeroxes and computer printouts), but he also sold many priceless gems (like an original poem typescript from 1979 - I've never seen another original sell on eBay, ever, and only a few through rare book dealers pre-eBay).
In 2003 Scott told me he was at the end of his manuscripts - literally down to the last dozen (not true, obviously, as he continues to list them two or three years later) - and for some reason, a couple of big bidders suddenly came out of the woodwork to buy. So during the summer of 2003, the manuscripts jumped from $75-$300 to $1100-$1200, virtually overnight.
The higher prices may be a more accurate, considering the prices comparative author's manuscripts go for, but then Bukowski created more manuscripts than most comparative authors. In any event, it was weird to see stuff go for $1225 when I bought better poems from the same book manuscript for $80.
But the reason you see less than stellar manuscripts selling now in the $700 - $1000 range is because of those two guys. Whoever is bidding up these shit-condition common BS paperbacks could have a similar impact. Stranger things have happened.
mjp said:
I hope not, it could prevent a lot of young potential fans from getting into Buk. I discovered many of my favourite writers from picking up cheap paperbacks in used bookstores, etc. Some things are and should be rare, but not 8th printing BSP paperbacks...
cirerita
Founding member
well, I had this item on my Watch list, but since the French guy is there I better forget it. I wonder how much they'll pay for this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7011354957&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWA:IT&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7011354957&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWA:IT&rd=1
mjp
Founding member
Yikes. Well, that's already close to what it's real value has been. But who knows with those two going at it.
I've never seen this book, even a mint first edition, go for anywhere near $150...it's the same counterbidder, gemdoglex. He and alainmarcel123 seem to be arch (bidding) enemies. Heh.
I emailed alainmarcel123 and suggested he might want to come in here and ask about values before bidding. We'll see how he reacts.
I've never seen this book, even a mint first edition, go for anywhere near $150...it's the same counterbidder, gemdoglex. He and alainmarcel123 seem to be arch (bidding) enemies. Heh.
I emailed alainmarcel123 and suggested he might want to come in here and ask about values before bidding. We'll see how he reacts.
cirerita
Founding member
what? a 100 bucks for a trade paperback ed. of The Night Torn...???
http://cgi.ebay.com/Charles-Bukowsk...771925682QQcategoryZ69483QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
I'm beginning to think this is really weird! The French guy has already won a better copy -hardcover & numbered- for a lower price:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=377&item=8386585913
http://cgi.ebay.com/Charles-Bukowsk...771925682QQcategoryZ69483QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
I'm beginning to think this is really weird! The French guy has already won a better copy -hardcover & numbered- for a lower price:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=377&item=8386585913
cirerita said:
One to read, one to keep? Bukowski Club? Library? Shop? Hates Bukowski and wants to pulp all his books?
Winner of the Euro-Millions Lottery?
Weirdo? Madman?
Maybe he'll pop in here one day and reveal all... :rolleyes:
-- edit --
Weird? Same seller... same bidder... same book????
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7008633797
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7011106694
-- ??? --
