EBay - Anyone Else Notice This?

[bassman_al]

I wish I knew about TB before I went to E-bay. But my buying there has been decent, except for one deadbeat who never paid, but eventually we worked out a deal. I ended up selling that bass on TB.

And the last few things I bought on E-bay for bass were being sold by TB members, I found out later. Knowing the value of what you are buying is truly key, as well as only buying from highly rated sellers. But most already know that.

So now TB is my main bass gear resource. I have bought sold and traded on here, all much to my satisfaction. Despite the lack of guarantees and insurance on TB, I still think a highly rated TB-er is a better risk than a higher rated E-bayer.

 

[Illbay]

I agree that eBay has changed, but I just bought a great bass cheap there last month, so does still happen:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110381437015

So you "bid with confidence!"

(Oh, wait, they all say that... )

I just think those ubiquitous slogans on eBay are humorous.

 

[WarriorJoe7]

Hey i got a pretty good deal on ebay last month and the bass is in great condition...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=180349586316

but I agree, ebay is not the same as it was even 2 years ago

 

[IB3K]

Yeah I agree. The last ebay bass I bought was a couple of years ago.
TB is much better overall because people know the value of the bass and can explain them well. There's usually a dialogue back and forth between buyer and seller while you are selling/buying it. Things can get further explained and worked out there. And I think the quality of buyer/seller is much higher on TB than ebay.
I don't really come to TB for a "deal", because I am willing to pay a fair price for something that is explained well from someone that knows what they are talking about. On ebay I need a better price because I think it's a higher risk transaction. You never know what the seller may have just left out, or didn't know what to look for. It's pretty unlikely that I will buy another bass off of ebay.

 

[purfektstranger]

"The final value fees have become absolutely ridiculous. Selling a somewhat expensive item on ebay will break the bank. It's become a better buyer's market than sellers market."

It's so true. They totally rip off sellers when it comes to fees and paypal charges. Yes, your potential marketplace is worldwide but you are paying for that. Only think I like about Ebay as seller is that you don't get creeps showing up to see your bass only to lowball you or size up what they can steal......

 

[Illbay]

Relevant Recent Thread

 

[Ruckus13]

The whole businesses spamming buy it now sales on new items is destroying Ebay in my opinion. If I wanted to buy full priced new gear I would goto musiciansfriend not ebay. Finding a used bass in good condition, without a ridiculous price is very rare now.

 

[Bongolation]

"The final value fees have become absolutely ridiculous. Selling a somewhat expensive item on ebay will break the bank..."

I don't sell, so I don't have a good grasp of this.

Can you run down the exact fees on a hypothetical sale so we'll know what you're talking about?

Thanks!

 

[Illbay]

The whole businesses spamming buy it now sales on new items is destroying Ebay in my opinion. If I wanted to buy full priced new gear I would goto musiciansfriend not ebay. Finding a used bass in good condition, without a ridiculous price is very rare now.

[STONER VOICE] "That's what _I_ was thinkin'..."

The price you get on eBay now for this stuff is pretty much the same as on the discount Internet-based sites like Musicians Friend or Zzounds.

But my experience is that the shipping costs are as much or more, and the time to ship is usually greater by several days. Bottom line, I have no real reason to shop any of these eBay stores.

Heck, a lot of this stuff I can buy off Amazon, on which I have a "premium membership," and get 2-day Shipping for free.

 

[Illbay]

Bump