For the past few ( to as many as 10) years, virtually every new (NIB), current ball offered for auction on EBay is NOT offered for auction, but on a "Buy It Now" basis, for the exact same price as anyone can purchase it from any decent internet store, like Buddies, BowlerX, BowlingBall, etc.
So, in practice, these balls are not being auctioned, the normal Ebay mode, but are just being offered for sale at a fixed price. Of course, no one is going to increase a bid over the stock internet price, as long as they are aware of it.
Prior to some point, 8-10 years ago, most of these new, current balls were offered for auction, starting lower than that offered by the good internet sellers.
So, for the most part, it makes almost zero sense to buy such new, currently offered balls from Ebay. The internet seller with whom you usually do business (if you do so) offers guaranteed pins and top weights and service that is often lacking from an Ebay seller. (Yes, some of them are very good, but not all. Many do not even guarantee pins and top weights.)
I wonder if this situation is because most manufacturers have chosen to enforce their MAP (Minimum Advertises Price, I think that's the abbreviation.) or because the Ebay sellers do not want to sell their product without some profit margin.
Or is there some other factor of which I am missing or just not aware?
I've stopped even looking for any new ball on EBay; I only browse for older new balls or for balls, for whatever reason, are not available through normal channels.
