An Eclectic Paradise
Written: Mar 06 '01
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The Bottom Line
Highly recommended for people with eclectic tastes who like to collect obscure items. Recommended for everyone else because of the wide range of unique gifts.
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Let me preface this by saying I have pretty eclectic tastes. Not everyone feels the need to buy lapis lazuli beads, ancient Roman coins or pretty Russian lacquer boxes, but, if you, like me, have such urges, Ebay is definitely the place for you.
Great place to buy presents: Its quite trite to say this, but Ebay really does have something for everyone: beautiful Murano glass roses for your mother; ancient Roman coins for kids to clean and examine; or beautiful beads to make a necklace for a loved one.
Great place to find really obscure items: My happiest moment on Ebay was when I discovered the wide selection of Russian lacquer items. If you happen to be a fan of Russian lacquer boxes and trays, Ebay has an amazing selection at very good prices. The trays have beautiful floral themes and the boxes have varying themes including fairy tales, natural scenes and flowers. I've bought a few beautiful lacquer boxes and trays on Ebay for around $25 each. I've seen similar boxes in the Museum Company Store and similar stores for upwards of $150 (a nice markup, no?). Some of my boxes and trays were shipped straight from Russia - cutting out the middleman is certainly in the best interest of my pocketbook. Don't bid, however, if you feel suspicious or if the deal sounds too good to be true.
Overall good prices: As I stated, I've bought Russian lacquer boxes for maybe 1/6 the price I would pay in a store.
Convenient features: You can opt to receive E-mail notifications when you are outbid in an auction or when new items that interest you are listed. Proxy bidding is another useful feature - it automatically bids the minimum necessary amount to win, up to your maximum bid. Don't worry; Ebay will bid only the minimum amount necessary (with the exception of reserve auctions, I believe - check the FAQ on Ebay for further details). I especially recommend this if you are afraid of last minute "poaching" on an item you covet.
Words of Caution: I haven't had any problems, but exercise caution and heed the following general advice:
1. Make sure to comparison shop. I've seen identical items in the same condition that varied significantly in the asking price.
2. Beware of scam artists and use common sense when bidding. Make sure to contact the seller if you have any questions or concerns before you bid. If it sounds suspicious, don't bid!
3. Check a seller's rating before buying. I made sure to research every seller before bidding. I check their profile, if they have one. Same for their website. I read through their "feedback" section, paying close attention to any complaints. One or two complaints don't bother me, but I would be hesitant to buy from a seller who has had more than a few complaints lodged against him/her.
Enjoy!
Recommended:
Yes
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About the Author
Member: Deborah Flores
Location: San Diego, CA
Reviews written: 14
Trusted by: 2 members
About Me: I love reading, languages and zoology. So many interests, so little time.
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