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buying expensive stuff on ebay=scary

W

williamk

Apr 2, 2008
871
28
#1
hi all
I had a rickenbacker once, it was my dream bass, and for some reason I sold it. Now I want one again (obviously) but there are no used ones where I live at the moment (craigslist, kijiji, etc) and they don't pop up very often as you can imagine...and when they do, they're never under 2000$, no matter how used they might be. Anyway, now I'm thinking I can either be patient and look carefully everyday for a used one until one does pop up, or I could buy from ebay...but I'm really scared!!
I keep reading horror stories about terrible experiences from buying stuff on ebay, especially expensive gear. I live in Montreal, and most rics on the bay are from somewhere in the states, and I'm also scared of surprise additionnal cost for shipping/customs/taxes/whathaveyou. And if ever the bass is broken or not like described or whatever, I can't just show up at the b@stard's house with a baseball bat...
I guess my question is how safe is it to buy a 2000$ worth instrument when it comes from far away. Have any of you here had a terrible ebay experience? Am I paranoid? I'm not very rich, and losing 2000$ would be a big deal, really.
Are there "users" or online stores that can be completely trusted?
Please share your experience on the matter!
 
#6
Tupac said:
I've seen a couple ones at my local store actually.


OP, have you checked out Craigslist? On second thought, that may be shadier than Ebay. Do what the above poster says and used Paypal.
Click to expand...

I second this. My Ric was bought on Ebay years ago and is my favorite bass. You should be covered using Paypal, provided you read all the seller's stipulations.

I find Ebay is harder on sellers than buyers now - I just sold a Pitch Pirate(effect pedal) for 160, and Ebay is going to hold my Paypal payment until 3 days after the buyer receives the item.
 
#7
I bought and sold (mostly sold) many high end instruments on eBay over the years, especially before my TalkBass days. It's all about feedback IMO. If you choose a seller that has a good amount of feedback and take the time to look through it you'll see how they stack up in terms of packaging, communication, time to ship, etc. On the flip (seller) side, whenever I sell anything of value on eBay I put into the listing that I have the right to cancel the sale and relist if anyone with zero or negative feedback does not contact me prior to making the purchase.

These days there are also many reputable brick-and-mortar retailers who also have an eBay store, as well as people who make their living strictly off of their eBay store. I've never been burned by either, and I still make sure there is sufficient positive feedback before pulling the trigger.
 
#8
I don't think anyone has brought up that the classifieds here are probably the safest way to make a purchase like that, at least as a used instrument. I'm sure there may be a couple of bad apples around here, but I feel way safer buying a realtively expensive instrument here than the bay.Of course there are still shipping concerns but I worry about stuff like that on things that are shipped from any retailer.

Keep your eye's open here, theres almost always a Ric popping up for sale, most of them are really nice.
 
#9
Every time I buy something from a private seller, I'll ask for a phone number to call them and talk to them about the item. It gives me a little extra piece of mind if they are knowledgeable about the item. It is also easier to tell if they are trying to pull a fast one when you call them and hear their voice rather than just communicating through email.

Oh and feedback!

I got a mint beautiful 1974 Starcaster for thousands less than any I could find in the United States. I got it from a small guitar store in Europe that wouldn't answer my emails and that didn't have any feedback I could see. I was of course thinking it was a scam, old post, or just a shady guitar shop. I ended up calling them and they said there has been so many folks from the United States who had kicked the tires on that guitar that until I called them, they had just assumed I wasn't interested, or financially capable to make the purchase. I wired the money directly to them and got a beautiful guitar for a great price.
 
#12
I've never seen a new Rick at my local GC but have seen used. (that beautiful natural w/white pg like Macca used in wings over America ). In Lexington KY i think for 2,200 if you want to check used inventory online. I can't tell you how many times if scouted a bass for days on eBay but was just to worried about making that final bid and what I'd get back. I've just gotta see and feel the neck myself first.
 
#14
As a buyer of high-dollar items on eBay (>$500.00), you have the ultimate protection and a huge advantage if you don't like what you bought, even if there is nothing wrong with it.

I know this from personal experience as a seller of high-dollar items on eBay.

I sold a high-end Telecaster, and the buyer proceeded to make claims about the guitar that I knew were not true (truss rod). He got a guitar tech to write a report substantiating his claim, and it was a done deal, eBay insisted I accept a return of the guitar and refund the full purchase price to the buyer.

When I received the guitar, my tech and I promptly inspected it and determined it was flawless. I was then able to re-list and sell the same guitar in the same flawless condition to another buyer who was ecstatic with his purchase and left me glowing positive feedback.

The first buyer simply got cold feet and used the buyer protection offered by eBay/PayPal to back out of the sale. (I sent my tech report and documentation to eBay conflict resolution and they put it on file so the first unscrupulous buyer will not be able to pull this scam on anyone else.)

So, as a buyer of high-dollar items, if there is anything wrong with your purchase, even a tiny flaw that was not revealed in the item description, you are literally guaranteed to get your money back.

It's the sellers of high-dollar items on eBay who have something to worry about.
 
#15
electracoyote said:
As a buyer of high-dollar items on eBay (>$500.00), you have the ultimate protection and a huge advantage if you don't like what you bought, even if there is nothing wrong with it.

I know this from personal experience as a seller of high-dollar items on eBay.

I sold a high-end Telecaster, and the buyer proceeded to make claims about the guitar that I knew were not true (truss rod). He got a guitar tech to write a report substantiating his claim, and it was a done deal, eBay insisted I accept a return of the guitar and refund the full purchase price to the buyer.

When I received the guitar, my tech and I promptly inspected it and determined it was flawless. I was then able to re-list and sell the same guitar in the same flawless condition to another buyer who was ecstatic with his purchase and left me glowing positive feedback.

The first buyer simply got cold feet and used the buyer protection offered by eBay/PayPal to back out of the sale. (I sent my tech report and documentation to eBay conflict resolution and they put it on file so the first unscrupulous buyer will not be able to pull this scam on anyone else.)

So, as a buyer of high-dollar items, if there is anything wrong with your purchase, even a tiny flaw that was not revealed in the item description, you are literally guaranteed to get your money back.

It's the sellers of high-dollar items on eBay who have something to worry about.
Click to expand...

BIG +1

Buyers are totally protected on ebay, provided they use PayPal to pay. And what buyer wouldn't use PayPal? It doesn't cost the buyer anything to do it, and you're 100% protected. The worst outcome you can have as a buyer is that you have to pay return shipping costs out of your own pocket. Which is the risk with EVERY retailer.

I've bought items on ebay that cost in excess of $13,000. Never was I worried once. The "buyer getting burned" stories are a thing of the past. It's the sellers that take the risk.
 
#18
Guitar Center isn't an authorized Rickenbacker dealer, so if you're lucky you'll see a used one there. Sam Ash has Rics, but I agree with TinIndian in that TB classifieds are your best bet. You can find some hella good deals. Deals good enough to warrant bringing "hella" back.
 
#19
smcd said:
BIG +1

Buyers are totally protected on ebay, provided they use PayPal to pay. And what buyer wouldn't use PayPal? It doesn't cost the buyer anything to do it, and you're 100% protected. The worst outcome you can have as a buyer is that you have to pay return shipping costs out of your own pocket. Which is the risk with EVERY retailer.

I've bought items on ebay that cost in excess of $13,000. Never was I worried once. The "buyer getting burned" stories are a thing of the past. It's the sellers that take the risk.
Click to expand...

It's good to read about good experiences from buyers here on TB. I'll look more closely at the PayPal buyer protection. But this will probably just bring on another case of GAS. :-)
 
#20
smcd said:
BIG +1

Buyers are totally protected on ebay, provided they use PayPal to pay. And what buyer wouldn't use PayPal? It doesn't cost the buyer anything to do it, and you're 100% protected. The worst outcome you can have as a buyer is that you have to pay return shipping costs out of your own pocket. Which is the risk with EVERY retailer.

I've bought items on ebay that cost in excess of $13,000. Never was I worried once. The "buyer getting burned" stories are a thing of the past. It's the sellers that take the risk.
Click to expand...

As a 350+ feedback buyer/seller on eBay, I can tell you that the buyer is WAAAY more protected than the seller. And the seller has to eat PayPal fees, AND any shipping costs that go over and above the listed shipping price.

As a seller, it's tough to list actual shipping fees - and lately basses have been running around $65-$75 to ship (plus packaging if necessary), and if you list shipping at $80, people think you're nuts.

As a buyer, I've made a number of large purchases - some internationally, with no problems whatsoever. I will say that the "amazing deal" from the days of long ago are much fewer, but it's still a good venue for purchases.
 

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