The following auction has 15 bids and the price is up to $40.00 with another $7.55 tacked on for shipping.

http://cgi.ebay.com/LEE-BULLET-MOLD-54-CAL-380-GRAIN-BULLET-LIKE-NEW_W0QQitemZ140097813690QQcategoryZ71118QQrdZ1QQc mdZViewItem

You can buy new direct from Lee for $19.98 and $3.25 shipping!
$16.39 from Graf's plus $2.95 packaging keeps you under $20 delivered to your door!

I'd really like someone to explain why this happens because I am at a total loss!

Bidder's fever. Possibly people who confused Lee with Lyman. You just never know? I keep threatening to get onto eBay as a seller for this very reason. Everyone else seems to be at risk of making out poorly.

Just goes to show, you gotta know your prices before going to any auction, and Ebay's no exception. I've been to live auctions where the bidding exceeded retail pricing.

So, figure out your max price based on some research, and bid that. Let the automatic bid tool do its thing. If you get outbid, then just wait for the next offering of that item.

I did have some [accursed] Lee Al moulds that I sold used on Ebay for a little more than my original new price.

If you want to make some money, put some ads up for new moulds, use a reserve price equal to Midway's price, and when the bid is won, order it from Midway for direct ship to your bidder!

In fact, knowing prices applies to regular-store prices, too. We've all bought stuff, and then found it cheaper esewhere.

:)

Happens all the time on there. I keep an eye on other reloading stuff as you can get some good deals but I frequently see prices of components or tools that go for far more than you can get them at many other online sources.

Ever go to a live auction? You'll see people bidding on something for 3 to 4 times it's real value. On-line bidding is no different. Know your merchandise and "Buyer Beware".

Do your homework and know what an item sells for before you start bidding.

I see that all the time at farm auctions. Mom has stopped dad a few times when he was going after hay feeders or feed bunks.

I just wish I could find these people when I have things up for auction!

I adhere to the age old practice of "buy high- sell low". It's just the American way...
I bought a new shotgun from a local business and paid the retail price for the "only one" in the case. ("I would be lucky to see another one") A week later, on the internet, I found the largest dealer in the USA for the same item. It was $1000.00 less + sh & transfer fee.
Like I said, "buy high- sell low". ye ha!

I keep looking at eBay and wondering why these people don't do their homework? It's mind boggling. My wife has been so good for me and turned me into a comparison shopper that sales people hate to deal with. I'd have to say if you asked me what the best way to buuy on eBay was, would be to figure out what it was that you wanted, check prices anywhere and everywhere you could find it and then pay no more for it on eBay than 50 cents less than what you would pay anywhere else. Then NEVER touch the bid button again. If some yahoo wants to bid $20 more than retail on a $20 item, let him. He wants to pay the seller much worse than I do.

I agree, there are all kinds on eBay. Some really know their stuff while others know very little and bid on things just to have them without ant concern about its true value.

I have some knowledge of RCBS press values: some have been a genuine buy on eBay while others are just not worth the money. Part of it depends on people’s faith in the other bidder's confidence. The more something is bided up, the more everyone desiring it, believes it is worth more than it is.

If you sell on eBay, start you auction low and use a reserve if the item has any real value, it is a matter of complete luck as to how high the item sells for!

MMichaelAK, I have done that several times and it does work. It is hard though when the item is no longer being manufactured. I ride an Indian motorcycle and the company went broke, AGAIN!
There are or were lots of parts at great prices, but only for a short time. Now you must hope that when the part you need or want comes up, at that moment, you are one of a few bidders. I have paid double for a part believing it was the last one. Lost 3 bids prior, so... Then another one came up for a fraction of the cost. The good thing is I can still get what I need relatively cheap.
As you said, determine what it's worth, how much you are willing to pay, and stick with it. I was amazed at how many bids I have lost on a high bid.

Last year at a consignment auction, there was a bale fork I was interested in and it was no-saled at $2200. It was there the next month and I bought it for $1500. Sometime patience pays. I checked with the manufacurer after I bought it and found out list price is $2250!