Ebay, love it or hate it.

[The kid]

'I've used this comvient source of supplies for many years. I"ve learned to be street wise before I buy. I check the sellers reputation thru his/her feedback. I look to see if they charge a fair price for shipping. I check to see how quick they ship. I refrain from buying in Asia because you ha e a 60/40 chance of actually getting it. All though you get your money back but it becomes a big waste of time. I've had a few dealers try to stiff me, but persistence prevailed and either PayPal or eBay ruled in my favor.

Know the ropes or the rules. eBay plainly stated what you can or can not do if you run into a trouble case. Keep all emails. Always use eBay as a means to communicate with each other. Share your thoughts. -robert

 

[DKCDKC]

I rarely buy from ebay, but do check out dealers before I do. However, I do sell stuff to dealers frequently. I look for dealers on ebay dealing in the kind of stuff I have to sell, then exchange emails with them directly, usually with a phone call as well. I sell using PayPal and have yet to have a problem. Those guys then take the work of selling on ebay off my hands. It takes a little work, but seems to be a good method. Of course, I have rather odd items... 1920s news photos, antique cameras, old newspapers, old toys, stuff like that.

 

[Bird]

I've both bought and sold on ebay, but not in a long time now. I liked ebay, but had a bad experience with PayPal and want nothing to do with them. They did eventually get it straightened out, but after I paid for an item, they repeatedly asked me to pay again, over and over until I got disgusted with them, and decided to never run that risk again.

 

[forgeblast]

With a little girl growing like a weed, we ebay clothes, shoes, books, toys etc. I sit down every sunday night and list about 10-13 items. Then I put them in the mail during the week. Using flat rate boxes, or having a good postal scale is helpful.

 

[The kid]

I've both bought and sold on ebay, but not in a long time now. I liked ebay, but had a bad experience with PayPal and want nothing to do with them. They did eventually get it straightened out, but after I paid for an item, they repeatedly asked me to pay again, over and over until I got disgusted with them, and decided to never run that risk again.

Bird, I had a problem with PayPal as well. I bought what suppose to be an NFL jersey nameplate with letters. Send the guy pictures of the jersey I was putting them on and he sent something totally different. He wouldn't refund, so I filed a dispute. This was a side deal so I had no recourse with eBay, but he was an eBay dealer. PayPal says they don't. Over custom made items. This went on for a few months. Sent more pictures and finally gave up. Then I tried one more time. I searched the net for paypals phone number. Spoke with a CSR and sent more info again. I quoted their own rules. Since the dealers products where all custom, he was in violation of their selling policy and decided to make a one time exception and refund my full amount. I thought to myself right.. They where covering their own but for screwing up. In every case I've filed a despite with a seller I had enough documentation to force a refund.

Sorry you had a bad experience. There is always several prechecks I make before buying from a dealer. On ebay. I've also sold quite a bit of stuff as well, but back then payment was by USPS money order ONLY. Those days are gone. CC's and Paypal is the new craze. I do use extreme caution and watch my accounts closely.

The way I see it. PayPal has their problems. CC's have thier problems. EBay, Paypal and CreditCards all cost the seller extra money. I just love the option to shop at home instead of driving many miles. To find it elsewhere but higher in price.

I bought my wife some new accessories for her new phone. If bought locally it would have cost five times the amount plus no sales tax and always pick items with free shipping. eBay is my local convenience store that has nearly everything I need.

It really helped me find parts for my 41 Studebaker street rod.

I can also see others position not to use it. - robert

 

[greasemonkeyok]

Early on I purchased a number of similar items from various sources, some overseas (England). Price range was between $50 to $100. About 40% of the items were usable, but the sellers flat out lied about the condition of the item. None were defective to the point that I was willing to spend the time to get a refund. All-in-all some of the items were a good value, so on the whole I was satisfied.

One thing that is an absolute for me, if the seller cannot take a clear, in focus, properly lighted photo, assume there is a reason unrelated to not knowing how to use the camera.

 

[sweettractors]

We sell implements on Ebay and our biggest complaint is they are constantly changing the rules for the sellers. Ken Sweet

 

[The kid]

We sell implements on Ebay and our biggest complaint is they are constantly changing the rules for the sellers. Ken Sweet

I think they will force sales tax on eBay buyer in the very near future. The states are loosing millions annually. I stop selling on eBay after about ten years. I recently started back up and could not believe how complicated it is now. Although with a little effort one could make a nice living on eBay. - robert

 

[Domush]

I've been screwed by paypal enough times to stop using ebay for anything but local auctions in which I can pay cash when I win.

Last time I sold an item paypal refused to let me withdraw my money unless I sent them a copy of my social security card, my license and a utility bill showing my current address. Kiss my lack of a butt! My local bank doesn't even get a copy of anything but a license, and paypal isn't even a bank!

I've had my identity stolen once, not going to walk right into it a second time.

if ebay ever removes the monopoly on paypal for auctions, I'll use it again. Until that time, I hope a competitor pops up to bankrupt them.

 

[The kid]

Early on I purchased a number of similar items from various sources, some overseas (England). Price range was between $50 to $100. About 40% of the items were usable, but the sellers flat out lied about the condition of the item. None were defective to the point that I was willing to spend the time to get a refund. All-in-all some of the items were a good value, so on the whole I was satisfied.

One thing that is an absolute for me, if the seller cannot take a clear, in focus, properly lighted photo, assume there is a reason unrelated to not knowing how to use the camera.

That where I hammer them in feedback. If they want to refund, I expect a full refund. If they want thier product back, they send me a prepaid label. You have to read descriptions very carefully to see if they left a door open in case the deal goes bad. Most cases you are protected by eBay if the item was not as described. If it"s bought out of the country if the item is cheap they refund you and tell you to just keep the item. They don't want to pay shipping twice.

There's two things I try to do good on eBay when selling. Very detailed CLEAR pictures. Also a very honest complete desciption. -robert

 

[rsewill]

My only bad experience was selling a new computer mouse. The buyer wanted a refund because the cord was too short to reach his computer even though I listed the length of the cord in the auction. I refused because it was no longer new and he left a negative, my first in over 400 feedback.

I use PayPal all the time. It is a very convenient way to pay for things on-line.

 

[tallyho8]

I love Paypal and Ebay and have feedback over 1200 since 1999. You can have problems buying or selling whether it is in person, by mail or on the internet.

I have far fewer problems now with Ebay and Paypal than I used to have with mail order and taking personal checks.

 

[Uncle Doug]

I have resumed as a seller on Ebay this year after many years away. The 50 free monthly listings and free photos make listing small dollar items worth while. Mostly trinkets or odd stuff my wife and I had. I have been amazed at what people will buy. Sellers fee's,paypal fees and postage will eat up small profits quickly if you under value something. I have had a couple of deadbeat bidders over the past year. A PIA but used the Ebay resolution center to get fee;s refunded.

Now days when out hitting the garage sales I keep my eye out for odd things that might sale. Picked up a vintage block plane at a yard sale the other day for $1 and sold it for $15. Not getting rich but racking up some nice retirement income.

 

[sodamo]

Being a 40 mile round trip to town, I like to look and buy on eBay. My biggest issue is shipping. Living here, shipping cost is just one of life's realities. One of my biggest complaints is sellers who refuse to use USPS. Many times, an item can be put in flat rate priority service instead of overpriced UPS/FedEx. Good sellers will do so, some will refuse, and the "bright" ones like to educate me that the post office doesn't ship to Hawaii. Most irritating are sellers that treat shipping as a profit center (charge $25 and ship in an $8 USPS box or advertise "Free shipping" but bury except Hawaii in the fine print. On balance I find eBay/Paypal a good experience.

 

[creekbend]

I have used Ebay about 20 times. I have only bought items and I have never sold on Ebay. I thoroughly check out the seller and keep all email correspondence. I prefer the sellers that include a telephone #. I have never used Pay Pal and have used our credit card. I have been satisfied with all my purchases.

 

[kidr]

I like ebay, hate paypal. After many years of 100% buyer feed back, They now want me to be "verified". They want access to my checking account, or to get their CC. Screw them. I'm going to miss ebay.
BTW, if you give them access to your checking account, it becomes the default payment method. If you want to pay by CC you must go to your account and change the payment method every time you buy.

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

I have had good luck with Ebay purchases and have saved money on products bought. Up to this point I have not tried to sell anything...

 

[timster2]

I have bought and sold on eBay, large items like a car and lots of small items. When I first started many years ago when it was more like a online yard sale you could get bargains here and there. Now its just the new mom and pop shop and more business orientated than yard sale. I have switched my bargain hunting to Craigs list, at least its local stuff you can see and pick up. Bought my BX, snow blower attachment and several other items from Craigs list. Currently have a lot of surplus tools and equipment to dispose of so I guess I will be back on eBay selling soon, at least the smaller stuff.

 

[rsewill]

I have bought and sold on eBay, large items like a car

me, too. Two cars, both from dealers so the transaction was safe. The only bad thing was that I had to go 400 miles for one and 1250 miles for the other. I still have both and am very happy with them.

 

[Western]

I have only bought a couple og things from Ebay, also used PayPal with no issues. I did have an issue 3 years ago buying some snares from a vender that used only paypal.

I paid, then went months without receiving my order. PayPal was no help since I wasn't a "registered paypal user" Figured it as a loss, then the order shows up, I had all but forgot it by then.