Should I Ebay???

Sorry if this is a "stupid" thread. But I have never used ebay - and for some reason I am very reticent to begin. Can you be scammed (or worse) using ebay (other than not getting exactly what you thought you were bidding on).

I see some items I would like to bid on, yet for some reason I am a little scared to start.

So come on guys, help me out - what do you think - Should I or Shouldn't I?

Thanks

 

start with some inexpensive items to get your feet wet-it can be a lot of fun.

Good Luck!

 

Go for it! I try and stay with the one's that offer Paypal Purchase Protection on more expensive items. Notice I said "try"!

mud-

 

Let's see, 3 years on Ebay. Over 200 auctions. Only pay by either postal MO or cash in a registered letter. Scammed...Once no item. Twice on condition. The odds seem pretty good to me.

 

So you're the one who hasn't used eBay yet!
Yeah-by all means go ahead. Use Paypal whenever possible. It's just an easy and painless way to pay, get paid and keep track of your business. Watch that feedback and IMO give feedback only after the seller gives you feedback. Feedback can be like a weapon on eBay. Once you have paid a seller your obligation is finished. I don't go for that "leave us positive feedback so you know you've received your----- crap". You pay and you're done; the ball is in the seller's court. Let him leave the first FB; he has your stuff and your money. Check our good guys list too!

Good luck and enjoy
Best-
Norm

 

I got my feet wet last year by buying an obscure Headphone Amp and Headphones. First ebay purchase, totaled around $700. Figured was not going to get scamed because the amp was way too obscure. Got lucky there. Now that I am an experienced ebayer, I'd probably do what Mud say's about the protection on big ticket items. Got burned for $9 last month - first time in over 80 transactions. I love it...However, my wife rues the day I found ebay......

 

In addition to feedback, I'd check seller's terms, specifically shipping. I've had a few inflated shipping charges that are way out of bounds. Also, do they primarily sell music and know how to grade ? do they sell anything and everything - that often spells trouble.

That being said...............go for it !!!!

 

How true! You can spend some big bucks on Ebay. I mean think of the concept of sitting in your home and looking for rare items you'd never find in a local store and finding them!

mud-

 

Go for it!

Only got burned once in over 50 transactions, but I shoulda seen it coming. If something looks fishy, it probably is. But that shouldn't stop you from bidding on the millions of auctions every day.

It's a fact of life that you're only gonna be able to get some collectibles or hard-to-find stuff via ebay. People just know now not to only offer things up in normal distribution channels as ebay reaches a wider market and has good things going for it.

 

Not so much the money, as the time "ignoring" her and the baby doing the same mindless searches. "C'mon honey, I do look up if I hear a big thud" does not cut it anymore.

 

I agree with this 100%

 

Thanks!

Cheers-
Norm

 

I suggest using ebay.
It is very fun.
One year I bought (almost) all my Christmas presents on ebay including an antique 1/2 carat diamond pendant.
I usually sell too, yet I have been taking a vacation - it is a lot of work.
I was stiffed once by Paypal and my son was too. My box (DVD) was returned due to invalid address and my son was paid back over time by the culprit who was caught (used his aunts credit card for $1,000). So in the end we both recouped the loss. If you use Paypal AND ship to a confirmed address Paypal will not take the money back. My family has over 800 positive feedbacks for buy and sell and 1 negative from sharing my account when it was new. It can be addicting...

 

"Watch that feedback and IMO give feedback only after the seller gives you feedback. Feedback can be like a weapon on eBay. Once you have paid a seller your obligation is finished. I don't go for that "leave us positive feedback so you know you've received your----- crap". You pay and you're done; the ball is in the seller's court. Let him leave the first FB; he has your stuff and your money."


I also agree with Norm. As an eBay seller, I always leave positive feedback as soon as I receive the buyer's payment, which to me means that they have fullfilled their part of the transaction; it is now up to me as the seller to promptly ship the item and fullfill my part of the transaction as the eBay seller. As an eBay buyer, I leave positive feedback when I receive the item promptly, and if it is in the condition described in the the eBay auction; even though some sellers never seem to leave feedback, I think that it is important for future buyers to see that the seller does ship promptly and provides accurate descriptions of their items.




Ed Hurdle
HeavyDistortion

 

Well thanks everyone. I signed up and placed a bid on ebay which so far is winning. I will let everyone know how I make out when the auction is over.

 

I am amazed at how well ebay works and it supports my feelings that by in large the vast majority of people are good and honest.
I have bought many cds over ebay and was scammed once (was supposed to be a good condition gold mastersound Bridge over Troubled Waters and came as only the normal cd without case and scratched up) but it was only a $10 or loss (the guys email account was haniballecterme so that should have tipped me off. Once I won a sealed Pet Sounds gold DCC for $13.00 it never came and when I complained to the seller he said he sent it but also refunded my money right away (I believe he never really sent it and realized he had not got the proper price but didn't want to get a negative feedback for backing out of a deal. From selling I think there has only been one person who hasn't paid which if you file a complaint to ebay you get refunded your fees so your not out money, its just a pain in the ass.

All the rest of my experiences have been great!

 

I am bumping this thread, because after using Ebay for over 1 week now I decided to re-read the replies. I notice a few of you indicate that PayPal is the way to go.

What are your recommendations regardings PayPal and is it safe? I guess I have a bad taste in my mouth about PayPal since I keep hearing that there are quite a few e-mail scams regarding PayPay.

Again, oh great forum members, I ask your advice.

Thanks.

 

Mike, I had the same concern you did. To help protect myself I opened a small bank account for Paypal only. That's the banking number I gave Paypal and if someone gets their hands on it they won't get much. If I do a bank transfer payment on Paypal I move money into that account. For CC payments I don't sweat it because of the safety offered by the CC companies.

Bottom line: It's safe!

mud-

 

My strategy too.