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Buy from Ebay ?
- Thread starter gnmaster779
- Start date
I've done a lot of buying and selling on eBay. I've only had two bad experiences with eBay members out of 100+ transactions. One of them was a fraudulent member and eBay made it 100% right. The key, as said by many above, is to buy from someone who has a positive rating over many transactions.
I've bought/sold a lot of instruments on eBay (not just basses) and here are some bits of advice, to protect yourself and avoid annoying the seller (who is a person too!):
- remember you are buying a second-hand (or more) instrument. There is likely to be a difference between the seller's description of an instrument and your expectation. This could be a seller's inaccurate description (oversight or intention), or a buyer expecting perfection from a used bass. If the item is 'New', verify with the seller that it is new according to eBay's definition of 'New'.
- read the description FULLY before thinking of bidding - pay attention to the wording. Inspect the pictures thoroughly. Read the seller's shipping terms, whether they accept returns.
- if in doubt about the item, ask the seller questions BEFORE bidding/buying. Exercise patience - don't dive in there only to be disappointed later. Ask for more clearer pictures. If the seller doesn't reply, or is generally unhelpful, walk away.
- if you don't like the item when you receive it and although it was as described (buyer's remorse), but you just don't like it, don't try to rip the seller off. Chalk it up to experience and sell it. I've had dishonest buyers trying things on with me, and a friend had a shell of a synth sent back to him as 'not working' (the buyer had raided it for parts and declared it faulty).
- don't pay more than what the item is worth to YOU! Set a budget and stick to it - don't be rash, buy something and then come on here asking people if you got a good deal! Don't get bitten by auction fever - bid your maximum as close to the auction's end as your nerves can take and then close your browser and make a cuppa. Bid once - make it count! Check completed auctions for a guide, but these are by no means definitive.
- PATIENCE! Delays after the seller has shipped an item due to postal services/couriers are not the seller's fault! Let them know a package is delayed, but be aware that the 'delivery' estimate on eBay auctions is precisely that! A seller is responsible for shipping an item within the stated 'dispatches within x days', before one is at the mercy of couriers.
- if there's a problem, be polite with the seller. A good seller will do all they can to help resolve a problem. There are still honest sellers out there - personally, I feel uneasy until I know that the item is safely in the buyer's hands.
- on the subject of communication, be polite in all correspondance and use eBay's messaging system so the seller can't say the email didn't arrive. Be wary that some sellers just don't communicate - I've had plenty of items arrive in good time, as described and not heard a word from the seller. You can rate a seller on their communication as part of the 5-star ratings, in addition to your feedback comment.
- remember you are buying a second-hand (or more) instrument. There is likely to be a difference between the seller's description of an instrument and your expectation. This could be a seller's inaccurate description (oversight or intention), or a buyer expecting perfection from a used bass. If the item is 'New', verify with the seller that it is new according to eBay's definition of 'New'.
- read the description FULLY before thinking of bidding - pay attention to the wording. Inspect the pictures thoroughly. Read the seller's shipping terms, whether they accept returns.
- if in doubt about the item, ask the seller questions BEFORE bidding/buying. Exercise patience - don't dive in there only to be disappointed later. Ask for more clearer pictures. If the seller doesn't reply, or is generally unhelpful, walk away.
- if you don't like the item when you receive it and although it was as described (buyer's remorse), but you just don't like it, don't try to rip the seller off. Chalk it up to experience and sell it. I've had dishonest buyers trying things on with me, and a friend had a shell of a synth sent back to him as 'not working' (the buyer had raided it for parts and declared it faulty).
- don't pay more than what the item is worth to YOU! Set a budget and stick to it - don't be rash, buy something and then come on here asking people if you got a good deal! Don't get bitten by auction fever - bid your maximum as close to the auction's end as your nerves can take and then close your browser and make a cuppa. Bid once - make it count! Check completed auctions for a guide, but these are by no means definitive.
- PATIENCE! Delays after the seller has shipped an item due to postal services/couriers are not the seller's fault! Let them know a package is delayed, but be aware that the 'delivery' estimate on eBay auctions is precisely that! A seller is responsible for shipping an item within the stated 'dispatches within x days', before one is at the mercy of couriers.
- if there's a problem, be polite with the seller. A good seller will do all they can to help resolve a problem. There are still honest sellers out there - personally, I feel uneasy until I know that the item is safely in the buyer's hands.
- on the subject of communication, be polite in all correspondance and use eBay's messaging system so the seller can't say the email didn't arrive. Be wary that some sellers just don't communicate - I've had plenty of items arrive in good time, as described and not heard a word from the seller. You can rate a seller on their communication as part of the 5-star ratings, in addition to your feedback comment.
Well done! Great points you have made!
Especially the part about setting your own personal limit when bidding on an item. 1 bid .... early in the auction...... then dont even look until it ends! Dont be disapointed if you dont win, there will be another really soon,
It is completely safe. Assuming the buyer takes common sense precautions (seller feedback, etc.), under what circumstances is ebay not safe?
I'd say it's safer for buyers now than for sellers. If you get ripped off in any way there is a 98% chance you're going to be able to get your money back.
Just be smart and do your research, ask all the question you can, find out about return policies, and check the buyer's feedback. If you don't feel at all comfortable for some reason, don't bid.
Just be smart and do your research, ask all the question you can, find out about return policies, and check the buyer's feedback. If you don't feel at all comfortable for some reason, don't bid.
if you know what your buying, ebay is a great place to buy basses. if its some weird one-off instrument you know little about, then, well, it might suck. but if your buying a fender, or carvin, or sadowsky, or something that is known to be consistant- and you know what prices are fair to pay, youll usually get great deals.
(obviously, avoid poor feedback sellers.. i usually shy away if its less than 99%, depending on the context of the sale)
(obviously, avoid poor feedback sellers.. i usually shy away if its less than 99%, depending on the context of the sale)
You will almost ALWAYS get a better deal on ebay than you will on craigslist or the classifieds here. And the selection on ebay is limitless.
Well, you just missed a great Lakland (sold it Sunday), a great Carvin (sold it last month) and a decent MTD Kingston (sold it Christmastime). Wait about another month and you may be able to score a German Warwick on eBay, if I'm done with it
I highly recommend ebay itself, but not all of the members on ebay. I got the best bass I have ever played/owned, new for 800 dollars. this bass new normally cost 1700 dollars except i got lucky on a bid. I also got this bass from J Worrell, the maker of the bass being sold. But that is my one and only experience with ebay instruments, and it was flawless. Cant say much for all the other sellers out there.
buying used instruments is where it is at, if you are skeptical about ebay try craigslist, you can atleast play before you buy
buying used instruments is where it is at, if you are skeptical about ebay try craigslist, you can atleast play before you buy
Alkali Ike
Gold Supporting Member
- Jan 1, 2011
- 2,854
- 15,665
- Disclosures
- I never actually learned to play very well
I just got a brand new Mustang for a really good price from an eBay seller. It was described as a store demo. I emailed them questions etc. and they said it had a small scratch on the body. I can't find the scratch! And I'm pretty darn picky. The Mustang is literally as-new. I could not be more pleased. The seller has thousands of feedbacks and 100% positive. Sometimes that feedback system actually works. 
If the seller does not promptly answer questions; if you don't think they have enough legit feedbacks and/or less than about 99.8% positive ratings; if the posted pictures are lousy or don't jive with the description ("Mint condition!" but the pictures say otherwise); if the shipping charge is outrageous... RUN AWAY.
If the seller does not promptly answer questions; if you don't think they have enough legit feedbacks and/or less than about 99.8% positive ratings; if the posted pictures are lousy or don't jive with the description ("Mint condition!" but the pictures say otherwise); if the shipping charge is outrageous... RUN AWAY.
I bought my Rick on eBay. It's the only guitar I've ever bought on eBay. I probably paid a touch on the high side but that was my own decision/fault. Still, the Bass arrived precisely as described by the seller. He did have a very good rating and his description of the Bass was quite meticulous including pointing out any flaws he was aware of. I had to make some set-up adjustments to suit myself but there were no problems with the Bass other than what was already known (and these were quite minor). Your mileage may vary of course.
I've bought 2 basses on eBay an d both experiences were great. Just be sure to check the sellers feedback and look into what kind of items the seller has sold in the past. If the seller has a clean track record and a history of selling instruments or high value items, then I say go for it.
Bottom line, its up to you to do your homework and follow your gut feelings.
Bottom line, its up to you to do your homework and follow your gut feelings.
I have bought three basses on E-Bay, all good transactions. One thing I've learned is a bass nearly always looks in better condition in the photos than it does in person. Also the seller's description is usually better than the actual condition. "Good condition" actually covers a pretty wide range. It might look minty but it is usually not. With this in mind I am careful not to over-pay. I will only buy from E-Bay if the stars align: The bass is hard to find, the seller has good feedback, the pictures and description seem legit, and the price + shipping is right. That doesn't happen very often. Pay careful attention to the shipping cost and if you are importing from another country find out if you will have to pay brokerage fees to the shipping company (UPS is bad for this) and/or taxes. These extra costs can turn a good deal into a bad deal real quick.
I get most of my gear from Talkbass, local private sales or local music stores that deal in used gear.
I get most of my gear from Talkbass, local private sales or local music stores that deal in used gear.
the better transactions ive made are through tb, the quicker transactions are through ebay.
On really high end stuff, you'll get a better price on ebay because you'll have japanese and eruoppean bidders who are paying 3x as much retail. This is specially true for pre cbs fenders, tweed amps, etc.
I'd say you cant go wrong with eebay unless you buy from someone with a "caveat emperor/no returns/55%restocking feee/or the likes attitude
On really high end stuff, you'll get a better price on ebay because you'll have japanese and eruoppean bidders who are paying 3x as much retail. This is specially true for pre cbs fenders, tweed amps, etc.
I'd say you cant go wrong with eebay unless you buy from someone with a "caveat emperor/no returns/55%restocking feee/or the likes attitude
