Well, that explains a lot...

[cody6268]

Frequently, I often wonder why it's so hard to find good knives cheaply  at the flea market held on Monday at the livestock market about 20 minutes from me. Only one   Then, I noticed this Ebay seller's location, which is in Pounding Mill, VA around half an hour from me.   The start date for the auctions was on Tuesday, a day after. It may be coincidental, but I swear the guy bought them at the flea market here to flip. With his listings, it's like he bought every freakin' knife that was selling cheaply there, as well as any older toy car (something I also dabble in).  Quite frankly, I give up with the flea market here, since what knives I do find when I get there around 9  at the flea market are grossly overpriced.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/jjm4112/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=

[Don Pablo]

Around here, I think its a case of no one carries knives, so no one sells knives. 

[zoidberg]

Local auction site here has a flipper who goes around buying up everything, only to relist it at two or three times the price.
Gone are the days of being able to pick up knives and tools for a fair amount.
If I ever meet the guy I'll give slapping the ugly from his face a decent swing.

[Sea Monster]

I've never checked Ebay, so not sure if it happens here.

From my experience, the flippers go to all the garage sales, then sell them at extortionate prices at markets.

They might cut a hot lap at 6am at the markets to buy out their cheaper competition, who knows?

Either way, at least they have to do a little legwork...Still, it bugs me that they ask so much for old knives and tools.
Sure they're good, but they're not THAT good.

Everyone's gotta make a living I guess...

[carboncopy101]

It's sad how some people try to profit as a middleman.

This also happens here. They buy secondhand leathermans and then sell ot online more than the retail price.

Also agriculture here is getting bad. Farmers sell rice to middlemen for a low price and is then sold for a higher price to the public.

[Sea Monster]

It's sad how some people try to profit as a middleman.

Ask me about real estate agents       

[Etherealicer]

It's sad how some people try to profit as a middleman.

They provide a service. It is up to you to decide if you want to pay for that service, that is how everything works. When I buy a knife in a store here I also pay more, but I get the chance to hold it in my hands, try it out. That is the kind of service that costs money.

You want a house, you either pay someone to build it, or you build it yourself.
If you lack the time or skill to fix your bike you pay someone to do it.
If you lack the time to go to flea-markets you pay someone to go for you.
Don't blame the middleman for getting up early in the morning and earning his livelihood.

[ironraven]

I know LIVE with one of the guys who manages the TSA and court house surplus knives.

Guess who can get a preview of the good stuff. 

Feel free to hate. I still have to stand in line with the guys who drive two hours to flip knives on ebay. But I'm scary and mean looking, so....

[carboncopy101]

It's sad how some people try to profit as a middleman.

They provide a service. It is up to you to decide if you want to pay for that service, that is how everything works. When I buy a knife in a store here I also pay more, but I get the chance to hold it in my hands, try it out. That is the kind of service that costs money.

You want a house, you either pay someone to build it, or you build it yourself.
If you lack the time or skill to fix your bike you pay someone to do it.
If you lack the time to go to flea-markets you pay someone to go for you.
Don't blame the middleman for getting up early in the morning and earning his livelihood.

Ah. I think you misunderstood what i mean. Middleman here is not the retailer or the firm they are not accredited to buy and sell. Middleman here are those who buy low and sell high their "service". They are not taxed. Imagine selling a sack of rice for 5 bucks and they sell it to for 20 bucks. 5 bucks split to a group of farmers minus tax. This kind of "livelihood" disrupts the economy and flow of money especially in the provinces.

[WoodsDuck]

It's sad how some people try to profit as a middleman.

They provide a service. It is up to you to decide if you want to pay for that service, that is how everything works. When I buy a knife in a store here I also pay more, but I get the chance to hold it in my hands, try it out. That is the kind of service that costs money.

You want a house, you either pay someone to build it, or you build it yourself.
If you lack the time or skill to fix your bike you pay someone to do it.
If you lack the time to go to flea-markets you pay someone to go for you.
Don't blame the middleman for getting up early in the morning and earning his livelihood.

I don't think knife flippers qualify as offering a legit service like those you listed. And I doubt any of those types of service providers are despised in the way any kind of flipper is, whether it be real estate or retail goods.

Personally I don't waste much energy hating them; I just walk by and spend my money elsewhere.

[styx]

Same thing happens here with a lot of items. Oddly enough not that many knives. Probably because they are quite expensive to begin with