eBay is like a yoyo. Prices were high in April, way down in May, but they completely rebounded in June. In a very big way. So let’s see. Tax rebates in April, nothing in May, Government Stimulus Checks in June. Is it really that obvious? Apparently yes. So if my reckoning is right, prices will tank again in July. Note to self, next year sell stuff in April.

Check out: eBay Watch - June 2008

The Tony Hawk Foundation is auctioning off a custom Jeep to raise money for… skateparks! this is for big spenders only. - Thanks to Sarib Singh Khalsa for the tip.

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Well, the boom had to end sometime, and end it did in May. I guess those tax refunds dried up, because deck sales tanked, and when I say tanked, I mean big-time. I only counted seven decks that went for over a thousand dollars in May, and as a regular reader of this column you’ll know that that is low. Not one went even close to $2k. The highest seller this month was a jacket, so that sums it up.

This month’s Baywatch is fueled by Jays Hot potato chips, and by the soothing sounds of Crass, notably The Feeding of the 5000. If you’ve never given Crass a chance, listen to this album. It’s tough going in parts, but the lyrics still pack a punch, even 30 years on. Clash lovers (Randy and Brad) might be offended at times, because the Clash come in for some stick from the fun loving anarchists. Deserved? That’s a matter of opinion, but a lot of what they say is true. Anyway, give it a listen with an open mind.

Check out eBay Watch: May 2008

I love eBay Watch, but I typically don’t try to by things on eBay unless there is one specific thing I need for a practical purpose. Sometimes during research I find myself on eBay, and there’s split second where I have to make a decision on whether or not to look at something else that catches my eye. If I do, it’s all over. I end up making a bunch of retarded bids. Half of them I know I have no chance of winning and the other half of my bids are influenced by irrational emotional attachment. Sometimes, after I come down, I find that I have won one or more useless items that I paid too much for. I call this phenomenon the “eBay Hangover.” I’ve had a nagging desire to own one of these 70’s era Techni-Ski skateboard ski simulators since I saw my first one in a magazine that was probably 20 years old. Now, unfortunately, I do own one. I’m not going to say how much it cost unless Neil picks it up in his column. More details to follow. I know you are all glued to your monitors…

Oh, how do I love the eBay? let me count the ways. The real question is, will the “Hugs, not drugs” sticker detract or add to the value of this Nash Executioner?

Well, March was good, but April was even better! I feature 49 items, of which 14 went for over $1,000. There were no $3000+ decks this month, but still, lots of good stuff changing hands. There was a lot of cash being thrown around. Maybe tax refunds being spent? And just wait until the stimulus checks hit!

Check out: eBay Watch - April 2008

At first glance this looks like your run of the mill cheap plastic skateboard, but in fact the Skuda is a fiberglass composite, so it was probably priced out of range of your typical youngster. I’ll admit that I know nothing about the Skuda. A Google image search turned up nothing, but We have another variation called the “Supa Skuda” catalogued on SnA, remember Captain Radical? These old boards have super clean lines. They remind me of old Corvette Stingrays. Everyone should have one in their garage for taking a spin on every other odd weekend. This one belongs to Graeme Wicks. He bought it off eBay a few years back so he could actually ride it.

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Talk of Jeff Kendall been in our comments lately so I thought this was a good time to spotlight this Chinese counterfeit Jeff, excuse me, Jess Kendall deck and mention that House of Neil is compiling some more counterfeits as well as working on the April eBay Watch. What’s next? Les Mountain, Bob Roskopp or Jane Lucero? You’ll have to wait and see.

While searching eBay for an unrelated item, I came across this “skater girl” dance costume in a child size small. maybe that’s why they don’t fit the model in the picture.

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One of the most visited areas on this site is House of Neil’s eBay Watch. You might say it’s beloved, actually. There are two main types of people who read his column; Those who just like seeing all the old and obscure boards, and those that use it as a tool for finding out how much something is worth. A few months back some people in “the collector’s community” got upset with Neil because he reported how much a board sold for at an auction, but the buyer never actually paid for it. Some people felt Neil was practicing irresponsible journalism that would somehow influence the outcome of future auctions. You can probably guess which forum that discussion took place on. As part of an ongoing campaign to keep people from getting their panties in a bunch, Neil does not comment on the value of skateboards that are currently in auction or otherwise for sale, or thinking about being sold. That means you should not ask us how much you think a particular board is worth. We won’t tell you. Not because we are elitist snobs or dicks, (well…) we just can’t do it without pissing someone off. And besides, Neil has a life, you know. There are already two good resources for this, Art of Skateboarding and Skull and Bones Skateboards. Of course you might have to put forth a little effort by signing up as members.

That being said, check out these old Variflex boards that someone asked us to appraise. Nice stash.