Good open forum to buy/sell anything. Be wary, patient and informed.
Written: Sep 18 '03 (Updated Sep 18 '03)
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I have had different experiences using eBay - ranging from joy to dissatisfaction. You are only dealing with other members of the public, not a shop or anything. eBay has a huge range of items for sale, great for collectors etc. I have found some really nice pieces. Some items are understated, some are overstated.
I have eBay feedback of 35 - 100% positive. I use it to buy and sell almost anything from guitars to CDs. My girlfriend buys jewellery and clothing too.
In my experience as a buyer it has been important to...
* Check the feedback rating of the people you intend to do business with FIRST!
* Nut out all the details of the transaction BEFORE you pay. Sellers are far more willing to comply with your requests at this point.
* Look carefully, ask lots of questions. Some people version of "good condition" is not the same as yours.
* Be patient - sometimes the post takes a while, especially due to increased worldwide security.
* Check exact postage costs! Some people like to make a bit extra this way.
* Buyer beware - often postage costs inhibits returns on smaller items, even if they do have a return policy.
* Know and research your item before you buy. Do a search on google and see what you find - reviews, articles, prices etc. eBay is not always the cheapest place to buy on the net - high fees prevent this.
* Buyers often bid right at the end of an auction - effectively sniping the other buyers and not giving them the chance to bid again.If you really want the item, place a higher max bid or watch it like a hawk. The eBay outbid notice is often way too late.
As a seller, my experience has been to....
* Advertise well, more info and pics is better but not too much to download.
* Communicate promptly, politely and honestly to buyers.
* Be patient with buyers, some of them take a little while to pay but do in the end.
* Package items well. Buyers like this.
* Check buyer postage details are still current via email! I've had a few buyers move since they first registered. Sometimes they have forgotten to change it.
Of all the stuff I have bought, the items have always arrived to me, I have never had a no-show, ever. Keep up good communication at all times. Keep your expectations down. Bargains do happen but you have to be lucky sometimes - be savvy. Not everybody gives feedback but most do. If a seller is not answering your questions its probably not a good idea to bid.
If you are selling its a great place to sell stuff you thought nobody would buy in a million years. I've even sold handfuls of free cereal box toys to collectors! The fees are quite high but that's my opinion as a computer programmer - I know how easy it is to do. On the other hand 5% - 10% may not seem so bad when you consider the audience you're getting.
All in all good open forum to buy/sell anything. Be wary, be patient, be informed and be sharp.
Recommended:
Yes
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? About 20 buys and 20 sells on eBay
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Epinions.com ID:
dominiko
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Location: Sydney, Australia
Reviews written: 10
Trusted by: 0 members
About Me:
Mild mannered software programmer by day, lounge-room guitarist and web surfer and by night.
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