uBid uBetter uBet
Written: Dec 26 '01 (Updated Dec 26 '01)

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(I think the title is a line from a “Who” song?) Knowledge of the market is critical for the uBid bidder! If you want great deals on certain items that you have a good working knowledge of, this can be a great place to shop.
I will admit that I have never sold items at uBid, but after reading through their sellers’ agreement I would think this would be an ideal place for a company that was trading in the high tech sector. UBid has pre-qualified, eager, buyers that don't have the advantage of corporate clout, perhaps, but can get the advantage of buying at below market pricing for, again, things that you know about.
Most of my purchases have been limited to components for my PC needs, but all is not a bargain here and some of the vendors, not uBid, make a pretty slick presentation for their goods hoping to catch some unwary citizens sleeping at the switch. Thankfully, I have not been taken.
Do I have any issues with the completion of the auction as far as terms? Yes, emphatically, uBid is making a small fortune in the cost of shipping and handling, but there are other resellers out there that will take larger chunks out of your hide. I like to keep in mind the total cost including the cost of shipping when I bid so that I won't be ruining the bargain that I should have.
A big plus for me is the quantities of items resold by manufacturers as refurbished goods and if your sense of timing is good there are some very great deals to be had.
What happens if it breaks or is defective? In an age of consumer surveys that seem relentless, it is beyond me how they can perform so poorly in the customer support area. Recently I received a component that was clearly defective and I immediately notified uBid and after three weeks I finally received an acknowledgement and a long explanation of how long it would take to further expedite the resolution. Perhaps I should not be so harsh but I contacted the manufacturer directly and in 1 day I had a return authorized and a new unit in the pipeline. In some areas of the computer component market a four week turn around can spell disaster. So to sum it up stick to what you know and spend wisely.
Recommended:
Yes
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About the Author
Member: Gene
Location: Cowhamsha
Reviews written: 54
Trusted by: 10 members
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