Ebay love it or hate it?

[puddicat]

I am a ebay virgin just started buying stuff, havent received as yet my bid items, any good experiences and any bad experiences and any advice u good folk can give thnks!!!

[firewatch]

DONT order/buy anything from australia, i had quite a few problems when i ordered a camera, like having to pay the import tax on the item due the seller not knowing about it!
My hubby uses it alot and finds it is pretty safe.

[Eve]

I've used it a few times, got tickets to see George Michael and Scissor Sisters really cheap last minute as live 5 mins walk from the MEN Arena so make the most.

Also ordered the hamster's cage from there.

Didn't have a problem with any of them though I'm sure there are loads of horror stories.

[Ethel]

Firewatch - you can't expect a seller to know and understand the duties and tax on every country in the world! That is absurd - if you don't know when you are a UK citizen, why should an Australian know?

I love eBay - I buy and sell all over the world and have a nice steady income from it.

You have to be fully conversant with the terms of conditions of PayPal if you sell on eBay and use that method of accepting payments and you have to exercise caution as a buyer - use your common sense.

eBay has excellent forums to discuss buying, selling and all aspects of eBay too.

[mattie]

If the seller has less than 100% feedback, then I look at at least a month's worth of previous feedback, if they have that much, its time consuming, but worth it.

Never pay by Western Union or Money Gram as you might as well send cash through the post.

I tend to stick to Paypal, which is part of Ebay anyway.

[Sir Alec]

I am an ebay veteran now! I've mainly had good experiences, only one really bad one with a vile seller who didn't pack my purchase properly. It arrived broken in half and when I gave them neutral feedback, they gave me negative, even though I'd paid within minutes of the end of bidding. Sellers can no longer do this, so rest assured, if you're not satisfied with a seller, you can complain without retribution. I'm still friendly with one seller and we email each other on a regular basis! Give a seller approx. 10 days. If you still don't get your stuff, email them as they may help with tracking a parcel through the post office.

[mattie]

Also, if you are considering buying from the US, then its worth getting an american express credit card, then you don't pay currency conversion fees.

[puddicat]

Thanks guys, have to say a girl from work was always buying stuff and bought designer t shirts second hand i think and the person sent them to her dirty and smelly arrrrgh!!!

[dorothee]

On the whole it''s OK - but just got stung ordering a set of Bang and Olufson earphones -which were fake and bad ones at that .... still waiting for my refund ... !! If it's for technical stuff - check the site by doing a search as they do give warnings about people selling fake stuff.

[raysparx1]

I have bought and sold lots of art work on e-bay, have made a fair amount of money out of it, you just have to be careful about who you deal with, most are honest, but I did have to re-register because somebody hacked into my account and was putting fake links to buy it now e-mails,

[~max~]

I regularly buy on ebay, although I haven't dared selling anything yet! I got loads of great bargains, and never had a problem. Just got a Panasonic dvd player for a tenner! I've never bought from outside the UK though.

[Sir Alec]

ps. Beware of Italy. If you buy from there, be prepared for it to go missing in the post! I have a friend in Italy and don't send her cards there any more as they always go astray. I send them to her parents in Bedford and they take them out there when they visit. You will notice many sellers say "Will not post to Italy".

[logic]

I use E/Bay a lot as a seller and buyer,as ethel said, exersise caution,
as has been said before, if it seem's too good to be true, then it mprobably is,
but having said that, there are still some bargains to be had, just don't get carried away with impulse bidding, just wait, there will be another one soon.

[puddicat]

Dont worry logic not a impulsive person he he!!!

[Drisgirl]

I used to sell loads on EBay -I enjoyed it and may start up again.No probs at all -and like what Ethel and Ray say you can make a tidy income from it .
I loved searching through EBay in fact im gonna start doing it again -thanks puddi for reminding me what good fun it is !!!

[puddicat]

Hi hope u are well Dris is it is raining where you are cos its p.......g down here, have to curb my spending ways but boy what a choice!!!!

[Bathsheba]

Same here Dris! I love Ebay, but haven't listed for ages due to spending time here on AB. Think i'll have to start up again x

[Sir Alec]

I flit between here and ebay. I'm watching an item which finishes tomorrow, so I'm keeping an eye on the bids at the moment.

[Drisgirl]

Hey puddi -its peeing down here as well -upside is dont have to water the plants for yet another day -yee haa !!!

Hey Bath -I just know that I am gonna lumber across there tonight -I bloody just binned all my chubby clothes as well (bought off Ebay as it happens lol) -couldnt be bothered re selling -well i can now -away to havea good rake to see what i can sell lol x

Sir Alec- hope you got or get what you wanted -its good fun as well isnt it?

[Sir Alec]

Yes, the adrenaline buzz can be quite something as the bidding comes to an end. The vile sensation when you're pipped to the post and the joy when you win something you really want! The thing tomorrow will prob' be one of the most expensive things I ever bid on - it even has a reserve.

[Bathsheba]

I always use a sniper when there's something i really really want. justsnipe.com is good- you get 5 free snipes a week, which is plenty for me. xx