Buying on ebay ( Uve never brought anything before btw)

[hannibalsmith]

Who buys off ebay, have you been scammed before and can you really trust customer feedback as im assuming that scammers would just make their own so it looks like they're trustable, any thoughts?

[China Doll]

I do and not had a problem so far.

[mccfluff]

i've bought stuff and never had a problem, always used paypal though. i've also sold stuff and again no probs

[hannibalsmith]

Paypal? I have a debit card is that not good as paypal, whats the benifits?

[B00]

I'm forever on Ebay, bought something just yesterday (dog nail clippers- god I lead an exotic life!) and have never been scammed yet. Not sure how muchy of that is luck though as I never check out feedback beforehand.

That being said though, I always buy from within the UK, i'm wary of buying things from abroad.

[vulcan]

Never had any problem buying from e-bay.
on one occasion I bought a camera bag and when received found a cheque for a fiver inside. The seller though she hadn't described the bag properly and if I was dissatisfied to accept the refund.[I didn't accept it by the way.]

[yogasun]

I do sometimes. Only had a problem once as I bought a CD and realised it was a copy and it wouldn't even play, but seller refunded money anyway.
Yes you can trust feedback and from my experience it's reliable. I think it would be difficult to make up your own as you will see when you buy yourself. eBay have several procedures in place to prevent this. This is just from my own experience, others may disagree.

[Davethedog]

Paypal is a middle man payment system.

You set up an account and attcah your credt/debit card Paypal then pay the 3rd party on your behalf paypal protect your payment and the third party never see the payment details.

I have bought loads of stuff but never had a problem only use sellers with really good feed back and no sellers can't add to feed back (unless they buy thier own stuff)

[mazie]

Been using E-bay for years. I buy loads of plants from UK sellers and seeds from America.We even bought a mercedes off E-bay. Always check the sellers feedback though. Never had a problem, great way to get a bargain. Paypal is the best way to pay, safe and very easy. Just set up a paypal account and spend to you hearts content :o)

[DEN53]

I have been buying on Ebay for around 6 years and selling for around 4 years.

I've got some stuff on there at the moment.

[Old_Geezer]

I've had mixed experiences, but still purchase smaller items occasionally from there.

The worst problems I've had are a mobile handset that never arrived, and the cops never informed me how the case was progressing. Lost quite a bit on that one.

Bought an electric knife sharpener (not new) and soon decided it was past it's best days, should never have been sold. Tend to buy new only now.

CDs/DVDs that were corrupt and the buyer tried to avoid a refund by pointing out his ad said he was not responsible if the buyer's player was incapable of playing the format (no player can play corrupt disks). Had to threaten him with the small claims court.

Corrupt/useless thumb drive sent from abroad, and he never refunded the payment despite sending it back as requested. (Beware of sellers who use the word "honourable in their sellername, ask yourself why they need to say so.)

Substitute stuff sent without being asked, and getting no refund for the cost of sending it back.

Various other annoyances too.

But overall I think I've probably gained as least as much as I've lost. Buy new, but cheaper stuff, are good safety strategies. Most sellers are honest, even if buying used and dearer, but you run the risk.

Oh and don't expect either eBay nor PayPal to be interested in protecting your interests. In my experience you get the run around and excuses why you were not as covered as you were told, after all. They're just not interested in anything other than making money.

[Old_Geezer]

PS I should say the mobile "seller" had a large 100% positive feedback, until after my purchase at which point it started shooting downwards. Similarly for the thumb drive seller.

I understand high feedback accounts can be traded for money. Then there is the fact that some things may not show faults until after positive feedback has been left. Too late then. Then a buyer may not want to risk a spite negative after criticising a poor seller. It is just a guide. It is all at your own risk.

[craft1948]

I disagree with OG......I've had an instance where the item purchased never arrived and the seller ignored all my emails. I lodged a case with paypal and they got my money back.

[Old_Geezer]

"Paypal? I have a debit card is that not good as paypal, whats the benifits? "

The benefit should be that only PayPal has your payment card details, not every seller on the block. Also telling PayPal to pay is usually a lot less hassle. And of course they make out they are covering you if the transaction goes wrong. Ha ha ha ha ha.

[Old_Geezer]

Lucky you craft. Maybe they failed to find a loophole.

[BIGDOGY]

I use Pay Pal on & off Ebay where sellers allow.
Had more than one dispute and always got my money back.
Would thoroughly recomend it as the best safest to pay online.

[hannibalsmith]

Well thanks everyone for the encouragement everyone, Old geezer as you say its at my own risk and ill be a little weary before diving in and purchase little low value items instead of a large bulk order to lessen the risks.

[boxtops]

Have a go, hannibal, I buy and sell on eBay most of the time. If you are an honest seller then buyers appreciate it, but sadly not everyone is 100% - as you say, it's a risk. I never mail an item to a buyer until I have their money and for overseas transactions I will only accept PayPal, otherwise I accept PayPal, postal orders, cheques. PayPal is good in that the buyer and seller don't know each other's bank details, which is an extra safeguard.