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Things you should know before shopping on eBay
By Nerijus Published: 10/01/2009
Economy is not in the best shape therefore many people are looking for bargains online before going to local retailers.
eBay used to be great place to shop or sell but not anymore…
Selling fees are extremely high and unless you are selling high demand computer equipment or have ability to write off your listing fees on your tax returns it is no longer profitable to sell low end inexpensive items that are not guaranteed to sell within first listing.
I understand why many sellers charge excessive shipping charges. They must cover high listing costs and the other sellers even turn in to deceptive practice and simply rip off buyers to break even or to make small profit.
In many cases this online auction site is only guaranteed payment for their service while seller and buyer is left without protection or guarantees.
I have been eBay Power seller for many years and now only used this site more for shopping then selling.
Like many others eBay attracted me with low prices and auction rules that I assumed apply to everyone. Sadly in many cases I noticed that these rules are made out of soap bubble and are created just to convince honest people to be honest. Rules without penalty for breaking them make no sense.
I have personally experienced few incidents while shopping and selling on eBay that I felt like sharing with others and warning them about the scams that are happening.
Let’s say you are a seller and have high end Dell Laptop computer that you want to sell. You take your time you list it on eBay and after successful sale again you verify that you have payment in PayPal account that is owned by eBay and take this laptop to post office and kiss good bye and after a week you find out that your money is removed from PayPal account and you have claim against you that “item was not as described”. You respond and explain that computer was new that you have receipt proof and pictures and wait for days for reply. Most of replies go in favor of people that make money transaction and in many cases are the buyers. Buyers make all the money for eBay by making this site possible. That is why you will get e-mail explaining you that you lost dispute and your item will be returned. In another few days you receive tracking number and in another week you receive broken 10 year old laptop computer that costs $20.00 in flea market. Your dispute is closed and you just lost close to a thousand of dollars and must go to police station just to hear that you need an attorney and that is civil matter.
Let’s say you decided to purchase Dell Power Edge 840 Server. You shop for months and then you fund a guy on eBay: winebuddy44
He is selling Dell Power Edge 840 with starting bid of $199.00
You wait patiently for a week trying to get a deal you do not buy directly from Dell just because you are planning to place a bid and then the day comes and 30 minutes before auction close you set your alarm clock. You get your account ready and 5 minutes before auction close you place your bid and wait. If you lucky your maximum bid will make you high bidder and you will receive email stating that you just purchased this item.
You pay for the item using PaPal. You transfer money from your bank and you call everyone to brag about the great deal.
The sad thing is that the winebuddy44 wanted to sell his Dell Power Edge 840 Server for retail price and while you were bidding he was relaxing only later after checking his auction he decided that he will not ship the item just because it did not sold for as much as he planned and $199.00 bid is not good enough for him to accept.
Now you must file claim with eBay and then with PayPal and then write letter to winebuddy44 asking him to issue you refund of your money and wait. Items such as memory or other items that you purchased to use together you must return to the store just because winebuddy44 is not willing to send you your item and now you must get busy to make sure that you are refunded your own money.
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So if it sounds too good to be truth it possibly is. Next time I will consider other options before shopping on eBay.
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