Any Do's and Don'ts on eBay?

[Antoneo]

It seems that there are a lot of negative feelings/experiences towards eBay. I am thinking about buying (probably won't sell) some computer hardware from there and was wondering if there are any really specific Do's and Don'ts about it.

Post away!

 

[jfall]

Always check the feedback

 

[Nocturnal]

And make sure you want the item because if you don't you're stuck in a legal binding contract once you place that bid.

 

[LikeLinus]

Don't use it

 

[Angrymarshmello]

Yep - check their feedback. Most importantly - ASK QUESTIONS!!!!! "The item is in good condition" doesn't mean the item works - it just means the outside part is in good condition, physically. Always ask specific questions as to whether the product works fully, does it come with cables/software/etc. You cannot assume anything when you purchase stuff on eBay. That's how you get screwed.

 

[MacGaven]

Don't buy used underwear and/or socks.

 

[ThaGrandCow]

They sell used underwear on ebay? Please tell me it's as a joke that someone puts up.

 

[clicknext]

Originally posted by: MacGaven
Don't buy used underwear and/or socks.

I'd say don't buy any underwear or socks at all.

 

[Angrymarshmello]

Actually eBay prohibits used underwear from being sold anymore - only new pairs are allowed

 

[Wallydraigle]

If someone says they will only accept Western Union, it's a scam.

Make sure any emails you get are actually from the seller. There are people out there who wait for an auction to close and then pretend to be the seller to get your money.

Item descriptions ripped word for word from manufactuerers' websites is a flag.

Be extra careful with foreign sellers.

With large purchases ask if it's okay to call the seller first and talk about it. Legit sellers will usually be fine with it, scammers will usually not be.

If you have a bad feeling about an auction don't bid.

 

[Lithium381]

Originally posted by: Angrymarshmello
Actually eBay prohibits used underwear from being sold anymore - only new pairs are allowed

yeah, too much of a fine line and opinion to what people considered badly soiled and "like new"

 

[VBboy]

www.PayPalSucks.com

 

[Yossarian]

Originally posted by: lirion
Item descriptions ripped word for word from manufactuerers' websites is a flag.

Why is that bad? I've done that before for cameras and stuff, I'm not going to reword all the features just to make it sound original.

 

[Angrymarshmello]

Originally posted by: PipBoy

Originally posted by: lirion
Item descriptions ripped word for word from manufactuerers' websites is a flag.

Why is that bad? I've done that before for cameras and stuff, I'm not going to reword all the features just to make it sound original.

Agree with Pip here. If they have like 5 feedback then yes, that's awfully suspicious. If they're some sort of power seller with 1000+ feedbacks they're just resellers

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: PipBoy

Originally posted by: lirion
Item descriptions ripped word for word from manufactuerers' websites is a flag.

Why is that bad? I've done that before for cameras and stuff, I'm not going to reword all the features just to make it sound original.

Yeah, I don't see any problem with that either.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: PipBoy

Originally posted by: lirion
Item descriptions ripped word for word from manufactuerers' websites is a flag.

Why is that bad? I've done that before for cameras and stuff, I'm not going to reword all the features just to make it sound original.

Yeah, I don't see any problem with that either.

Yeah man, there's no problem with that. What's the point in re-writing what they said?? It's not like I can come up with something more original than the original manufacturer.

I think that lirion is just smoking some of the bad sh!t

 

[XZeroII]

Always stick a fork in your eye whenever you think of using it

Dont use it

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: XZeroII
Always stick a fork in your eye whenever you think of using it

Dont use it

Let's see...

1) I've made a nice profit off eBay
2) I've racked up a feedback of 146-0-0
3) I'm an eBay Bronze PowerSeller
4) Never had any problems with eBay b/c I know who to deal with and who I will NOT deal with.


There's nothing wrong with eBay...it's just that some people are just too dumb or too naive to use it properly

 

[Rastus]

Originally posted by: Angrymarshmello
Actually eBay prohibits used underwear from being sold anymore - only new pairs are allowed

There is a site that sells stuff that has been banned from ebay. I'd post a link, but it is not appropriate for this forum. That's where you can buy used underwear.

 

[Spac3d]

Originally posted by: LikeLinus
Don't use it

 

[Jmmsbnd007]

Originally posted by: VBboy
www.PayPalSucks.com

http://www.paypalwarning.com

 

[NewSc2]

1. Always use PayPal, it's much safer than MO's or Checks. If seller doesn't send you the item you can flag both PayPal and eBay.
2. Always buy from sellers that have at least decent feedback, and mostly positive. (If negative make sure it's a stupid problem, not like he conned people).
3. Ask questions! If a seller replies fast and knows what he's talking about, that's always a plus.
4. If possible, get it shipped USPS Priority over First Class. First Class can lag for a couple weeks, USPS is 2-3 days and the extra money is well spent.
5. BID AT THE LAST MINUTE! When people start their bidding wars with 10 minutes to go, prices can go very very high, and often higher than if nobody paid attention to the auction and somebody sniped it at the last minute.
6. Check "Completed Items" to make sure you're getting a good deal on your item. (i.e. GeForce 3's go for ~$50-60 on eBay, don't pay $70 for a GF3 if auctions beforehand went for much less)

 

[Wallydraigle]

Originally posted by: PipBoy

Originally posted by: lirion
Item descriptions ripped word for word from manufactuerers' websites is a flag.

Why is that bad? I've done that before for cameras and stuff, I'm not going to reword all the features just to make it sound original.

I didn't mean that it was bad, it's just something that a lot of scammers do because they don't actually have the item to describe. They just rip off the description from the website including pictures. It just fits a scammer's profile. A legit seller is more likely to describe the condition of the item and post his own picture of the particular piece he will be shipping. It's just another possible warning sign to take into consideration when deciding to bid or not. That's all. I wouldn't pass over an auction I was interested in just because the seller did that, but if he did that and other no-no's as well it would set off major red flags for me. Sorry for the confusion

 

[chiwawa626]

Just make sure you read the auction and verify its what you want before you bid and send money for it. In the last 3 days ive had like 8 people who cant read. One complained the title of my auction was misleading...hint hint: READ THE DESCRIPTION!

 

[GermyBoy]

Don't bid and not pay. Do bid and pay.

Don't be a jackass. Do be a nice guy.

Ask questions beforehand, don't be pissed if you didn't read the info and get something you don't want. Do be pissed if the seller is wrong and give bad feedback.