Yes, indeed. A buyer who comparison shops can get things really cheap on Ebay. A buyer who doesn't can pay a lot more than something is worth. As a seller, my specialty seems to be the value shoppers who want something dirt cheap.

My theory is that while my track record is long and solid, I don't have that "power seller" mystique that attracts buyers who are willing to pay a premium or at least a fair price. I only had power seller status for one month, after selling off some coins once for considerable money. My sales are usually way too low to obtain that status.

I see power sellers routinely selling the same goods for twice the rate as joe average sellers. They sell in quantity, they often use stock photos and don't bother to describe any wear beyond a generic "Very Good, shows light wear". If the buyer is unhappy with the condition, the power seller's sales volume is so high that they can afford to take the occasional negative feedback in stride. So the power sellers use a buyer account to buy things cheap from people like me who describe wear to avoid negative feedback, then they turn around and sell them at a profit.