Missed out on a Rega P7 - TWICE!

Last week, I spotted a mint Rega P7 (with a cherry wood surround) on Audiogon for a 'Buy Now' option of $1600. It was exactly what I was looking for to replace my VPI Scoutmaster. It was listed up there for over a month at $1900 and nobody seemed interested. I thought about, and pondering the idea of buying it all day and night. I told myself before going to bed: 'If it's still there in the morning, I'm buying it.'. Well, the next morning, it was still there! Could it be a sign of fate?

So, I ate breakfast thinking it's going to disappear soon at that price and I better act quick. Time passed by and I thought about it some more. After all, $1600 is big chunk of change to spend on a used turntable. Dinner rolled around and as I ate, I thought if it's still there, I'm definitely going to buy it. Before eating dinner, I had clicked the 'Buy Now' button and was one click away from confirming my purchase. I was one click away from being the new owner.

After dinner, I went back to my computer and clicked the 'Buy Now' button...

'Item has been sold.'        

I was so mad! I let the turntable I always wanted just slip right through my fingers. 

Well, I wasn't going to give up. That night I searched Ebay and I couldn't believe it when I saw it - right at the top of the list: another Rega P7 with a cherry wood surround! This one even came with a Rega Exact 2 cartridge to boot! Exactly what I wanted and what I had just missed on Audiogon! I felt like it was fate, it was my destiny. This was MY turntable - I just had to have it! I mean, what was the chances of seeing two Rega P7's in cherry wood in one day?

The bidding was only $425 with no reserve. I added it to my watch list and began to plan my bid strategy. I set my spending limit @ $2000, figuring it was worth the money with the included Exact 2 cartridge. I already had my Zyx R100H ready to install on it and didn't need the Exact cartridge, but I always wanted to hear what a Rega cartridge sounded like.

I waited a long 6 days to bid. I planned on bidding within the last 20 seconds and 'snipe the auction. By this time, the bidding was well over $1000, hovering around $1400 for the last few minutes. The clock ticked down. 3mins...2mins...1min...20 seconds...  The current bid was $1425. I clicked the bid button. I typed in $2055.99 as my maximum bid. I click the bid button again and... the current bid changed to $1600.

Huh? Wait, was that my bid, or someone else? Am I the high bidder? I quickly scanned the high bidder listed on the ad - IT WASN'T ME!!! Someone else was trying to snipe my bid! OMG! The clock was down to 3 seconds - I don't have time to bid! I went back and clicked the bid button again, typed in my bid, clicked on bid - but I didn't hit the 'confirm bid' button fast enough!

'Item is no longer available for bid.'

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!   

I missed it! I couldn't believe I missed it! I didn't win! This couldn't be happening to me - again! The winning bid was $1600; a steal for such a nice turntable with a decent cartridge. I was willing to pay a lot more then that! I was in shock. All of that waiting and planning - completely wasted on my own stupidity. I let the turntable of my dreams slip right through my fingertips. 

So what did I learn from all of this?

1. ALWAYS CLICK THE CONFIRM BUTTON WHEN BIDDING ON EBAY!
2. If I see an item on Audiogon that I want, click the 'Buy Now' button without hesitating.

The only solace I have is that there are multiple universes in the grand scheme of things, and in one of those universes I did click it fast enough, and I won the auction. But in this universe, I lost.

As the saying goes, "He who hesitates is lost". That was my lesson of the week. I learned it the hard way. Twice in one week.

Don't worry, universe take care. You'll come across another P7, eventually

Don't worry, universe take care. You'll come across another P7, eventually

Thanks, I hope so.

I did come across a P9 on Audiogon, but by the time I replied - it was sold. It had maple wood trim, just what I wanted. They sold it a few minutes before I responded for $2800. I missed out again.