No bargains on ebay

[billmayo]

I regularly buy Shopsmith parts on Ebay (over 600 successful bids) for my repair and building service. I keep a list of the max that I will bid on each item (5% to 50% of new) I need along with what are reasonable shipping costs. This is the only bid I will do for each item. I have found that there are only a few Shopsmith sellers that I will buy from now. I know they only sell good working parts and do an excellant job of packing for shipping. Yes, larger items will normally get damaged when shipped. I ask if I can instruct the seller on how I want the item packed and that I will pay extra for this if I win the item. I only win(?) less than 20% of the items I bid (less than 5% this year) on but they are reasonable priced so I can pass the savings to my customers. I always pay with PayPal as I have been able to get refunds for non-shipping and broken or bad parts.

Several of the excellant Shopsmith sellers use a packing service which makes their shipping costs somewhat higher than normal. I buy seldom listed and/or needed parts from them.

[swampgator]

Just my two cents worth, I acquired a good condition SS Mark V made in 1984. I didn't get many of the support parts. eBay has been my lifesaver. I check the price of the item on Shopsmith first and also add in the shipping price. I have always received great service from both eBay and Shopsmith. Like Bill, I put in my max bid and if it goes over my max, I simply wait for another. So far, it has given me time to get my machine cleaned up and waxed.

I have bought other items not related to the SS, but when I did, I ran into only one problem with a vendor from Hong Kong. We couldn't communicate clearly, but that is not a problem. You learn which vendors to deal with and avoid the others. Just picked up a second SS built in Oct 1985 from an eBay auction. No one bid on it, but since it was local, I called the seller and offered him $500. He accepted and when I saw it and all the attachments, I gave him more. He has pancreatic cancer and I just couldn't be so business like. He is trying to clean up all that stuff so his wife and daughter won't have to. Anyway, the two of us are happy and I have a second machine with 2 bandsaws.

[shipwright]

The world could use more like you Steve. You're a good man.

Paul M

[PG-Zac]

I have been actively shopping on eBay, and have recently won a few items that I either need, or would really like to have.

One sale was a big-time bargain - I picked up some castings that appear to be in good condition for $15 (new price approx. $180). Base assembly, Headrest assembly, Base arm, and the accessory mount locks.

The other two purchases weren't as much of a bargain, but I paid 50% of new price for one, and 70% new price for the other.

I have another few bids active at the moment, and we'll see what happens.

Always check the new price, and set your own limit. Some people may not know it, but you bid your maximum amount, and the system will bid on your behalf starting low and only increasing the bid if you are outbid. I have previously bid $25 but I won the bid for only $4.50.

[PG-Zac]

I have been actively shopping on eBay, and have recently won a few items that I either need, or would really like to have.

One sale was a big-time bargain - I picked up some castings that appear to be in good condition for $15 (new price approx. $180). Base assembly, Headrest assembly, Base arm, and the accessory mount locks.

The other two purchases weren't as much of a bargain, but I paid 50% of new price for one, and 70% new price for the other.

I have another few bids active at the moment, and we'll see what happens.

Always check the new price, and set your own limit. Some people may not know it, but you bid your maximum amount, and the system will bid on your behalf starting low and only increasing the bid if you are outbid. I have previously bid $25 but I won the bid for only $4.50.

I currently have a bid in for $15 but the high bid right now is $0.99.

[JPG]

I have been actively shopping on eBay, and have recently won a few items that I either need, or would really like to have.

One sale was a big-time bargain - I picked up some castings that appear to be in good condition for $15 (new price approx. $180). Base assembly, Headrest assembly, Base arm, and the accessory mount locks.

The other two purchases weren't as much of a bargain, but I paid 50% of new price for one, and 70% new price for the other.

I have another few bids active at the moment, and we'll see what happens.

Always check the new price, and set your own limit. Some people may not know it, but you bid your maximum amount, and the system will bid on your behalf starting low and only increasing the bid if you are outbid. I have previously bid $25 but I won the bid for only $4.50.

I currently have a bid in for $15 but the high bid right now is $0.99.

Have you encountered any problems with shipping 'internationally'?

[PG-Zac]

Yes Red, I often have problems with getting the sellers to ship internationally, and that sometimes leads to me not being able to bid on something I want or need. Quite often, sellers in the Far East and Europe are willing to ship to S.A. but generally sellers from the USA are unwilling to do so.

Fortunately for me, a member of this forum has agreed to act as my forwarding service because SS will not ship to S.A. His offer to me was made in private so I won't publish his name without his approval, and he has stipulated some conditions to prevent abuse of his kindness. I accepted his conditions completely and without reservation.

I fully expect that I will have to pay duties and taxes before the post office release the package to me, but that is normal, and I have done it several times before.

[JPG]

Yes Red, I often have problems with getting the sellers to ship internationally, and that sometimes leads to me not being able to bid on something I want or need. Quite often, sellers in the Far East and Europe are willing to ship to S.A. but generally sellers from the USA are unwilling to do so.

Fortunately for me, a member of this forum has agreed to act as my forwarding service because SS will not ship to S.S. His offer to me was made in private so I won't publish his name without his approval, and he has stipulated some conditions to prevent abuse of his kindness. I accepted his conditions completely and without reservation.

I fully expect that I will have to pay duties and taxes before the post office release the package to me, but that is normal, and I have done it several times before.

I understand your benefactor's position. You are fortunate to have that option!

[vzandt]

Most of the time shipping prices is what keeps me from bidding on something that I really want. I've done my share of selling on eBay and I always shipped at what it cost me to ship. There are a few magazines on eBay I'd like to have but can you believe 6 bucks to ship a magazine via media mail? Personally, I stay away from sellers who try to gouge on shipping.

What you should look at is the "Grounded Price." Basically what is the total cost to your door. I often sort items by price plus shipping lowest to highest.
Keep in mind, many sellers will raise the shipping higher than normal and then count on lower sales prices. This way they pay lower fees (ebay charges % on final sale price, not shipping charges)

[PG-Zac]

There have been a few occasions that I refused to bid an item because of excessive shipping costs.

Unfortunately, I learned that lesson the hard way 2 years ago. If you don't learn from other people's mistakes, you will have to pay your own school fees to learn the lesson.