Starting to dislike e-bay

phlemmy · Post by **phlemmy** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 2:38 am

I have had great success on eBay. Over 1000 transactions buying and selling and no negatives. Sold 4 Fender basses and bought 2 RICs with no problems whatsoever. That's not to say I haven't had my fair share of jerks. In the early days on there (98-01) I was running most of my CD business there. Made tons of $$ and only had one or two items never make it to their destinations, so as a businessman I would credit them back their money.

But as noted in this and other threads, the scammers are taking full advantage of the place now. Not cool.

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 5:03 am

If you ever get an email from "ebay" asking you to update your account info, forward it immediately to [email protected] . They will handle it from there.

incubus2432 · Post by **incubus2432** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 9:43 am

Unfortunately Ebay/Paypal get a bad rep for stuff that isn't always their fault. If someone complains about their account being hijacked it is likely that they gave out their account info when they shouldn't have.....period. Is that necessarily the fault of Ebay/Paypal?.....no. I'm not saying they are without faults but they do get a lot of blame when they shouldn't.

It is like conducting business anywhere else......being an educated/smart buyer or seller makes chances of getting burnt much less.

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 10:30 am

I've had only great experiences with eBay. Got my one-off Deluxe Cherry Hofner, Blue Hofner, and Fireglo Laredo from eBay auctions. Also, the beautiful Mapleglo BT that has moved among Forumites lately, and the Jetglo BT/BB FL that Jared now has were bought on eBay. I've sold several model airplanes without problems, and a few rare kits.

Oh, and I just won a Hofner music-store stool!

Me likey!

simonmole · Post by **simonmole** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 12:43 pm

I, like Paul, have also been VERY lucky so far but have backed off from big purchases on ebay of late with all the obvious scams making me think my luck must soon run out. Plus, I'm skint! I've had some really friendly Rickenbacker buys over the years, though, and in the late 90's I bought an effects pedal from a Japanese chap, and inside was an envelope with 100 US dollars! he felt on reflection I'd paid too much!!! True story!!!! (yes I left him good feedback!) I worry a bit nowadays though, about taking that leap of faith when the money leaves my account for the great unknown... maybe thats a sign of old age...

morbass · Post by **morbass** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 1:22 pm

Like Paul and Simon above, I too have had good eBay experiences. I've sold several items on eBay and I believe the buyers of those items have had similar experiences.

Seems the only shaft I've gotten was a bass I acquired from a fellow on talkbass.com. Grrrr.

wim · Post by **wim** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 1:50 pm

LOL @ Simon

I only once sold something (worth about $50), it went up to 201 EURO and had to ship it to the US (cost : another 40 euro). I almost felt sorry for the winning bidder and felt like giving a discount.
Well, I talked myself out of that.

wints · Post by **wints** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 3:25 pm

If you do you homework E Bay should be straight forward.

Prepare, ask lots of questions and you certainly should have a vast majority of trouble free transactions.

simonmole · Post by **simonmole** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 10:30 pm

I think Andrew's hit the nail on the head - its "buyer beware" in all auctions! Mind you, if one of these doubtful scammers offered a "buy one get one free" auction on a 68 4001 - well, I just don't trust myself...!!!

chefothefuture · Post by **chefothefuture** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 10:50 pm

Hey-
But then there are the deals of the days of yore...
Back in Nov. '98 I scored a '64 4001 for $950!
The only thing wrong with it was changed PUs.
An easy fix.....
I've seen scams aplenty but can usually recognize
a picture from an earlier auction or some such
nonsense....

ilan · Post by **ilan** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 12:22 am

You have scored WHAT for $950?!

wints · Post by **wints** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 1:25 am

Still got the 64 Chef?