So I'm looking around E-bay Sunday for a cheap USB cable that uses the mini connector that my Seeeduino mega uses. I plan on using it by hacking off the PC end so I can supply regulated +5vdc power to the board if I wish. So anyway I see one listing from Asia that has 3 mins to go, with free shipment and min bid is 10 cents. Seems I won, and paypal took the transaction and the sellers has sent conformation, etc.
So I know they work on low margins, but even with high volume how does one stay in business with this kind of transaction? ;D
So I know they work on low margins, but even with high volume how does one stay in business with this kind of transaction?
Seriously - does this have to be explained?
:-?
Let's just say living conditions, working conditions, social conditions, environmental conditions and (probably most importantly, as they affect the above) political conditions aren't exactly great in that portion (indeed, in most portions) of the world, which translates into greater profit than you realize for savvy entrepreneurs over there, as well as insane profits for multi-national corporations using those areas as manufacturing hubs for their products destined for western consumers.
Most of the people manufacturing those items live and work in conditions that would make Charles Dickens and Upton Sinclair nauseous.
Ultimately, its a case of the western world having their cake and eating it too (plus the adage of "outta sight outta mind"); if you live in a "western democracy"/"first world nation", you are guilty of this mindset, whether you know it or not, and there likely isn't any way to escape it, short of living in a shack hewn from timber of the land out in the middle of nowhere living off barter and your garden. The decision to support this illusion (delusion?) was made a long time ago by interests well beyond any single person's control.
Welcome to the dystopia (also, realize you've been cheated out of fembots and flying cars, to boot!)...
So I know they work on low margins, but even with high volume how does one stay in business with this kind of transaction?
That was more to relate to the old joke of losing money on the deal but making up for it in volume sales. Obviously by having to pay the shipping it's a losing transaction for the seller and I really didn't expect to have no one else bid and let it go at that price. Hell if the seller had asked to cancel the bid I would have gone along without objection as I'm not out to screw anyone. I wonder what E-bay and PayPal take on the transaction from the seller. :-/
I've been buying a lot of parts from Asia over the last year or so. Shipping time is around 7-10 days. So far the quality of parts has been very good and of course the prices have been outstanding. Biggest problem is the quality of the listings, sometimes it's not real clear what they are actually listing
But that doesn't explain how or why they would sell it for less than the cost to ship it.
I re-looked at the bid - and you're right, that doesn't make sense; I was also in a funk with my rant - I haven't been feeling well with the world lately (oh, for the past 10 or so years), and sometimes it pops out; my appologies.
Six cents for a cable; I wonder if that is some kind of a record?
I paid 1 cent for "Age of Empires" when it first came out. I suspect CompuUSA was using 1 cent to indicate to the staff that the item had not yet been priced. I'm a bit too honest and protested, "It can't possibly be 1 cent. Maybe you should check that price." The clerk stared at me a few seconds then asked, "How would you like to pay for that?"
That is a real deal for sure - I just ordered one for 1 cent!!! shipped. I think I know what's going on - they are wanting to build a VERY high feedback rating. The have almost 7,000 feedback with 99% - but the acknowledgment I got from them really talked about how important it was and wanted to get a 5 star rating....
I was also in a funk with my rant - I haven't been feeling well with the world lately (oh, for the past 10 or so years), and sometimes it pops out; my appologies.
I think the feeling is kind of common... the world is getting harder to control and have good done... everybody seems to exploit labor and policies...
getting back to the topic.... even cheap postal service won't help them make a profit! i think its more to do with the rating... you should check on where the 99% rating came from
