EBAY Rip-Off

[JPG]

I think before anyone buys on E-bay they should watch Jay Leno on the Tonight Show when he does one of his skits "What we found on E-Bay".

What is really interesting is the studio audiences response to the question did is Sale or not.

Last night some nut was selling Taco Bell sauce packages on E-Bay. These are the free packages Taco Bell gives you with your purchase.

The audience hollered Sold and Leno shook his head showing his shock in the their response and said these are free.

Well the audience was right, some boob bought the sauce packages for $5.50.

The most interesting part is in strictest sense of the law the buyer was probably buying stolen property. But I don't think anyone thought of it.

Some of the other things people buy and sell on the E-bay just make me laugh. I really giggle when I see people bid and pay shipping for something that is readily available either locally or on the internet but universally sells well below the price they paid.

Like used(maybe worn out) ss parts.

Stolen? In the strictest(most honest) sense, yep!;)

Then there are the $20 s/h charges for items that can ship in a small flat rate box.

[pennview]

On the other hand, it is Caveat Emptor, or let the buyer beware, and that applies to most things, not only E-Bay. I buy a few things there, generally using the "buy now" option if possible and ensure the shipping charges are reasonable.

You do have recourse through PayPal and E-Bay if what you received doesn't square with the description in the listing.

[swampgator]

I've done as well at eBay as pawn shops. Look carefully at the item, copy the photo, bid half or less of the value you would normally pay. I've seen some of the bidders go to twice or three times the cost of a new part from Shopsmith. I have to wonder about them. But, I have purchased many good arbors and blades from eBay at the price that I wanted. Most items have to be in blister package or one that you can purchase at the time. However, I've been blessed to get arbors for 5 or 6 dollars each. Yes, I've been burned, but because I didn't read carefully. Just like shopping at the local flea markets, you have to look and then try to strike a deal. Right now, looking for a complete 520 table system. Can't afford them from SS on my federal retirement. So, will find one that is being parted out for 1/2 price or less.

[lightnin]

Before bidding on eBay always check the sellers feedback profile always.
You can't please everyone but a 99.5% + should be easy for a good seller to achieve.
Read everything, consider the shipping charges before bidding.
Shady sellers seem to have pictures that are small, fuzzy, dark, or out of focus or all of those.
Good sellers try hard to show item accurately lots of good photos.. point out flaws.
Shady sellers often say they don't know much about item .. it's a friends.. or from an estate.
To cover up missing info or misrepresented statements or if it is complete or missing things.
It may be true look at his other listings does he say that about everything?
Or just some that may have come from friend or estate.
It seems like shady sellers love to tell you that an item is very rare when your search found bunches of them.
Good sellers usually make a point to tell you they will combine items to save you on shipping.
On buy it now items if they have more than one available look to see how much shipping
would be on two of them. Even if you only want one. If they are light weight items a good
seller will discount shipping on multiple items whereas the shady guy will not.
Send questions you may have to seller.

Oh yea I think it's been said Buyer Beware!

[swampgator]

Excellent advice, Bruce. Good info anytime you're buying anything used.