Why are so many things on Ebay even more expensive then what the item would be brand new from the store?

I was searching for a Motorola MA1 Wireless Android Auto which is $80 brand new in a store, but on Ebay they are anywhere from $100 to $200. Even if it is pre-owned. It seems impossible that anyone is ever going to buy this so what is the purpose of these listings?

  • QubaXR@lemmy.worldEnglish
    832·
    1 year ago

    eBay has become the place for scalpers to sell overpriced wares, after they emptied store shelves. From toilet paper to graphics cards, that’s where the buyout stock, sell for profit happened.

    Now even without shortages, this philosophy persists at eBay. Nothing to lose for them, free money to make on uninformed buyers.

    Worst case they end up not selling and can possibly return items for full refund.

    Scummery at it’s finest

    • MooseBoys@lemmy.worldEnglish
      12·
      1 year ago

      Worst case they end up not selling and can possibly return items for full refund.

      They’ve gotten smarter, and in some cases don’t even acquire the original item until they have a buyer. It’s basically arbitrage for shipping at that point.