Fairly large ebay purchase - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Buzzard · 11-10-2011, 08:39 PM

I've bought quite a few things off ebay and always had good luck, no bad experiences. But I've also never spent more than around $500 at a time, and they've always been relatively small items. Now this time I've found a set of speakers that I've wanted for a while that amounts to less than half of what I'd spend here (although shipping bumps it up a third of the cost, never the less, still a good deal). The sellers reputation is excellent - 100% with over 1500 buyers. I've read the ebay buyer protection policy, but a small part of me is still a little nervous. Is there any reason to be? Has anyone had to use the protection policy because something didn't work or was less than what was described?

photon · 11-10-2011, 08:41 PM

The one time I tried to use paypal's protection policy was for only a small amount and I didn't get it because I'd waited more than whatever the # of days was.

So I reversed the charges, if I was buying a big ticket item off eBay I wouldn't unless I'd funded it with a CC.

FlameOn · 11-10-2011, 08:45 PM

Had a bad experience with paypal once. They have a really bad policy, basically you have to go through their resolution system first no matter what or else they ban your account. The resolution system is only active 90 days after purchase and if you didn't charge on CC to try to reverse the charge you are SOL. Luckily I paid with CC like photon did... was mostly painless.

Buzzard · 11-10-2011, 08:47 PM

Yes, it'll definitely be with a credit card through paypal.

photon · 11-10-2011, 09:13 PM

Yeah I've heard of paypal turfing accounts that didn't go through the resolution process before reversing with the CC, and I've even heard of people where they lost their accounts even after going through the right channels, but not sure how reliable that is.

sclitheroe · 11-10-2011, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzzard

The sellers reputation is excellent - 100% with over 1500 buyers.

For similar items with prices in the same range?

Buzzard · 11-10-2011, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

For similar items with prices in the same range?

The majority are small electronics with a smattering of larger ticket items like amps, speakers, laptops, etc. Zero negative feedback from any item.

afc wimbledon · 11-10-2011, 09:52 PM

what speakers are they? being a stereo nut I have to ask.

Buzzard · 11-10-2011, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afc wimbledon

what speakers are they? being a stereo nut I have to ask.

Def Tech BP7006's....nothing super high end or anything I know, but for the price range I think they're excellent. I first bought the CLR 2300 center a couple years ago and meant to buy the 7600s to match, but didn't get around to it, now they're discontinued. I see though K&W still has them on their web site...not sure if they'd still have them in store or not. That's where I listened to them a couple times. I loved their sound.

afc wimbledon · 11-10-2011, 10:12 PM

I looked them up on audiogon, Hi Fi heaven is offering them at 399 per speaker plus shipping don't know if that is the ball park you are looking at, I tend to have my stereo stuff shipped to the US and then drive it over, of course it is a bit closer here.

Buzzard · 11-10-2011, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afc wimbledon

I looked them up on audiogon, Hi Fi heaven is offering them at 399 per speaker plus shipping don't know if that is the ball park you are looking at, I tend to have my stereo stuff shipped to the US and then drive it over, of course it is a bit closer here.

I can't find them there at all, but yeah $425 per is what I was going to pay, plus stupid shipping.

afc wimbledon · 11-10-2011, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzzard

I can't find them there at all, but yeah $425 per is what I was going to pay, plus stupid shipping.

I just went to Audiogon and searched for Definitive Tech' and Hi Fi heaven came up on the top of the page.

T@T · 11-11-2011, 02:48 AM

I got hosed for $220.00 on ebay threw paypal once...never again for this guy.

I only go local now, kijiji or craigs

chemgear · 11-11-2011, 08:47 AM

I've done tons of stuff on ebay, mostly buying these days rather than selling.

Very rarely have I ever had any issues in the grand scheme of things. Over last decade, probably under 10 in total over the course of about 1000 transactions? The paypal resolution process can be a little slow but I've never really had too many problems.

Coys1882 · 11-11-2011, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afc wimbledon

I tend to have my stereo stuff shipped to the US and then drive it over, of course it is a bit closer here.

Do you have a post box there or some family?

DownhillGoat · 11-11-2011, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzzard

I see though K&W still has them on their web site...not sure if they'd still have them in store or not.

Nice choice of speakers. K&W might have them if it's on the site. I know they've got one of the discontinued Marantz AVRs in stock.

ken0042 · 11-11-2011, 10:21 AM

I've completed many transactions for $200-300; but not quite that high. As said, follow the Paypal rules to the letter. Fund with CC, and if you don't have the tracking number within a few days, get on it.

Another question- is this coming from the US? Are they using USPS or UPS? Have you considered the duty you will pay?

I have another option. On speakers of that quality, the markup is HUGE. If they are $1000 speakers, and you are going to get them for $600 including shipping, take that into a few stores. They will make a small profit at $600 still, and you get to remove the hassle of buying off eBay.

Flacker · 11-11-2011, 10:26 AM

If the seller is reputable I wouldn't be too concerned. Another factor for me is if they have a bricks and mortar operation as well as their online presence. My latest car purchase was initiated on ebay and was purchased sight unseen, this was with a major US Infiniti dealership however.

As mentioned your credit card is fairly good protection, if you don't get what you payed for, you won't pay.

peter12 · 11-11-2011, 10:31 AM

The big thing, in my experience, is seller reputation. If you have any concerns, email the seller with them, and see if they respond. That, to begin with, is normally a good sign.

photon · 11-11-2011, 10:48 AM

Even with a good seller reputation you still have to be watchful.

Are all the good reps from other active eBayers, or single transaction accounts?

I've even heard of networks of scamers building up big legit looking networks.

Or is the history all purchases or small transactions then all of a sudden a big one? Or a long span of inactivity then a few big ones?

Sometimes hackers hack an account with 100% good rep, quickly list a number of big ticket items to scam a few people then abandon the account before any negatives can roll in or the account owner notices and reports it.