The Ebay effect

[BRAKIE]

Guys,E-bay can be habit forming however,I found better deals on 2 on line shops that worked out cheaper then some of the so called deals on e bay..

[Anonymous]

I dont like shippers who fail to keep quiet during the stated pay period.

If I have 7 days to pay, I dont want to see email demanding money on the 2nd day. I usually state several times VERY clearly that post office will be getting my money order out on the next day's truck.

On the other hand, customers who take too long making payments cause a problem. They put themselves in a position where after 10 days I probably will have to report a non-paying customer to ebay. I never like to do that.

I think ebay will have to make a provision to allow customers to report sellers who demand payment prior to the expiry of the grace period.

[rbturner]

My point is, why should they even be asking two days into my allowed seven? Now if it was day seven I could fully understand. Then I would denfinitely owe them an explaination.

If they wanted paid in two days they should have stated that in the listing.

Randy

[selector]

So, we seem to have agreed that some people actually make a bit of a living by buying and selling on e-bay, while others use the venue to acquire unusual or rare items, or items that are likely to cost them considerably less than elsewhere. This is all perfectly sensible, to me. Accordingly, if a person who is used to normal parameters and normal behaviour on e-bay feels that a buyer's behaviour is falling outside the norm, I don't see why the seller shouldn't make an inquiry to satisfy him/herself that everything is on the up-and-up. Your curt reply, rbturner, offered no information that would ease his concern that you were not going to pay as most people 'normally' would.

Leaving aside your personal, and regrettable, circumstances [:(], a bit more information, such as, "We had an emergency in the family...had to attend." would have gone a long way toward stemming his prying, but understandable question.

I agree that his way of asking was less than, shall we say, artful.

Just my [2c].

[rbturner]

Regarding prompt payment by a buyer; I won an auction for atlas flex track that stated payment was due in 7 days. 2 days after I won I arrived home and checked email and found I had received an email from the seller asking if there was some reason I hadn't paid yet. I replied to this with one word, "yes". I then went to PayPal and paid.

I got an immediate reply to my email from the seller saying, "can you share it with us or is it a secret?"

I had just come home from the hospital where my youngest daughter had lost my newest grandson. And this idiot wanted me to share my secret.

I had 7 days to pay. Like I owed them an explaination.

If people would just paddle their own canoes and mind their own business, it would be so much simpler.

[Jetrock]

I only use eBay for extremely obscure and out-of-production stuff: Paul Moore trolley models, Swett "Interurbans Special" editions, etcetera. As a modeler of obscure prototypes I find it helpful, but it could never replace the local hobby shop for me--I'd feel silly bidding on styrene, stripwood or paints on eBay, plus it's a lot less convenient. Train shows are more fun than eBay, hobby shops are more convenient for regular items, and it's always a treat to get some random screaming deal at a garage sale. eBay is for the special stuff--things that literally don't appear otherwise.

[Anonymous]

Ebay is seperate from our finances. We dont "Need" it. But we do sell items on it and if it takes a little time for the money to come in.. that's fine. I still expect payment within 10 days. =)

We paid off two credit cards this week. One of these is with Chase. They gave us a very hard time because they failed to make a dollar of interest off us. We repaid the balance in full before the 0% expired at christmastime and goes to 20% I suppose Chase has every right to not treat us right because we used them to avoid several hundred in interest with the other card. =)

It is best not to use ebay in times of great "Need" because any problems with the sale will hurt both buyer and seller. Keep in mind that Ebay has fees the 15th and 31st of each month.

It wont be good to not have the money ready to pay these fees. It does take ebay a month or so before the money is actually "Removed" from the bank where I keep the account.

[ereimer]

QUOTE: Originally posted by davekelly

Also keep in mind that when a person's situation changes, credit card companies don't repo cards - if they are in good standing. I am currently unemployed - making near zero but still have the cards that I had when I was making a pretty good salary.

yeah , and when those cards are maxed out and you can't afford to make the next rent or mortgage payment and you've just sold an item on ebay that will cover that payment and the buyer tells you hey i can't pay for a couple of weeks ....

not that i agree with the actions of the seller in the OP , but it's possible to be in a situation where a delay will be really bad

[davekelly]

Also keep in mind that when a person's situation changes, credit card companies don't repo cards - if they are in good standing. I am currently unemployed - making near zero but still have the cards that I had when I was making a pretty good salary.

[Anonymous]

I use ebay to thin collection and acquire OOP Items. It is my weapon against those items that are always OOP, Limited run 2 years ago or otherwise not availible.

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cnwfan11


You are the seller and you are selling stuff because you are hurting for money. You want to put food on your table and someone doesn't want to pay right away.

Interesting.... If a seller is selling stuff,"to put food on the table",then where is that person getting the credit card,that IS required to open the account? There is no way a person can be that in debt if they are selling stuff on Ebay,and have a credit card to use.I personally am financially stable,yet having unexpected problems,or bills that suddenly appear,is what occurs most often with some people.Yes you can tell the seller about the situation,yet some really dont give a flying rap about it.They want the money and they want it now.Yes they may or may have not had problems with some buyers, but is it necessary to berate a first time buyer?!!,or in some cases,would you trust a company(ebay),or a seller to take your credit card number for security purposes,or for a purchase?There have been many a problem with hackers and what not that WILL tap into the account and ring up charges that you are not even aware of,or take money out of your account and who knows what they;ll do with it.Even sending out the payment and receiving the item takes time.What is really irate,is some of these sellers lack patience!!

I've never had a problem with Paypal, and have my bank and credit card info on file with them. The seller and buyer are connected blindly through the transaction, so no account information is ever really exchanged. It is simply a wire transfer from one account to another. You are almost always protected against fraudulent charges, either through your bank or credit card company. You also receive email confirmations when you make purchases with your Paypal account, so you should be aware of trouble right away if there is any. Ebay and Paypal are very aware of the potential for fraud, and take every precaution to prevent it. I just don't see what people are worried about.

There are a lot of people who make a living exclusively from Ebay sales. You seem to be confusing the concept of good credit with wealth. One has nothing to do with the other.

[Anonymous]

From the point-of-view of a seller, eBay has been a blessing. At 61 I've bought WAY too much stuff, and when my father, also a modeler and collector, died, I ended up with more brass, more books, more unbuilt craftsman kits such as Ambroid, LaBelle, etc. I've slowly sold off some of the excess and used the funds to add, very selectively, to my own collection and operating railroad. It really helps the modeling budget, and, I like to think, allows others to get some stuff they might not otherwise ever find... But it 's work. Selling requires discipline. Careful descriptions that don't overblow the item, careful packaging, and communication with the buyer all take time. But my wife, for one, is happy to see things go OUT the door for a change... Happy e-baying, Larry "Clancystrains" Warren

[Anonymous]

You are the seller and you are selling stuff because you are hurting for money. You want to put food on your table and someone doesn't want to pay right away.

Interesting.... If a seller is selling stuff,"to put food on the table",then where is that person getting the credit card,that IS required to open the account? There is no way a person can be that in debt if they are selling stuff on Ebay,and have a credit card to use.I personally am financially stable,yet having unexpected problems,or bills that suddenly appear,is what occurs most often with some people.Yes you can tell the seller about the situation,yet some really dont give a flying rap about it.They want the money and they want it now.Yes they may or may have not had problems with some buyers, but is it necessary to berate a first time buyer?!!,or in some cases,would you trust a company(ebay),or a seller to take your credit card number for security purposes,or for a purchase?There have been many a problem with hackers and what not that WILL tap into the account and ring up charges that you are not even aware of,or take money out of your account and who knows what they;ll do with it.Even sending out the payment and receiving the item takes time.What is really irate,is some of these sellers lack patience!!

[oleirish]

I'am doing a little biding on E-BAY myself,have won three bids so far,I try to have the cash on hand and put away before I bid.I lost one the other day for an dollor,because I will not sit at my computer all day.I have cable internet ,so can out bid most people.I will reserch an Item before I bid on it,Do'nt make any sence to buy somthing for a few dollors under retail.I watched a bachman shay go for $129.51 the thing new is not much more than that.All you have to do is be carefull thats my throught[^]
OLE'IRISH(Jim)

[jag193]

I don't consider my self to be an eBay junkie, but darn close. For the most part, in the past 4 years I have used the site, results have been great and most of the dealers out there are friendly and accomplished business people. But ... there are predators out there ... so you always have to be careful.

After 25 years in HO, I switched to On3 and have lots of stuff to get rid of as well as obtain. PayPal has worked pretty well for that and, although the extra fees can alter your budget a bit, it keeps me going and I prefer PayPal to other types of payment because it means I will usually get what I bid on within a week.

Watch out for snipers ... there's not much you can do, but expect that you will get beat out on a lot of your bids. Know what you will pay and stick to that number (it's only a HOBBY for goodness sake) even if you lose.

My biggest complaint ... and this happens with everything these days ... is that, as it becomes more popular, eBay becomes less and less of a bargain and more of an on-line WalMart where the prices are set (Buy It Now!) without a reserve or any bidding. But ... I can still manage to find the "bargain" in out of production kits from the 60's and 70's so I will plod along.

[Anonymous]

I live in South Australia, and in the entire state there are 3 (yes three) dedicated train/hobby shops. The nearest is just over one hour away by car. E-bay, and in particular E-bay (usa) has provided me with hundreds of shopping venues. Sure watch the prices and don't get carried away, but it does help people like me, who basically have little or no shopping choice.

[alcodave]

I am also an Ebay junkie!!!!!!!!!! Buying and selling trains on ebay has become like a sort of hobby of it 's own for me.I don't look at ebay as unfair competetion for the LHS since most of them have already joined the ebay band wagon anyway.Ebay and the internet in general have changed the retail industry .I think its awesome that the consumer can shop around and look for the best prices.I still purchase many items from my LHS and I really enjoy browsing around at hobby shops. When there is competion everybody wins in this hobby. thats just my two cents.

[Anonymous]

I'll admit it, I am an ebay "junkie" as well. Most everything I buy for the railroad is from ebay. I have gotten some incredible deals, especially on the expensive BLI engines. I also got my Lenz DCC system there too, my track, other engines, rolling stock, scenery,.................I don't think there is an end to it.

[ereimer]

i always add .01 to my max bid , as i'm pretty sure that if 2 people put in the same max bid , the person who bid first will win . i'd hate to lose a bid by 1 cent
this hasn't actually won me any items yet

[Big_Boy_4005]

I haven't bought any trains in a hobby store in the last 3 years, and may never again. I used to think Ebay was stupid, now it's my primary source. The truth is I have a lot of trains already, so I really don't NEED anything. But, once in a while I break down and bid.

Most of my Ebay time is spent watching auction prices on certain pieces, especially engines. I figure anytime I can get a command locomotive for under $250, it's a bargain. Keep in mind this is 3 rail O I'm talking about.

Just yesterday I won my first auction in well over a year. It felt good too. With 58 seconds remaining in a 7 day listing, there were no bids on this engine. The open was $199. I saw the same model engine sell for over $300 just last week. It originally listed for $395 back in 2002. I put in a $226 bid, and out smarted 2 snipers who came in right behind me. One of them bid $225.99. I'll bet he was ticked, missing by a penny. Usually it's me that gets pennied.

When it comes to settling up, I pay ultra fast. I limit myself to sellers that accept Paypal, and have high feedback percentages. I only bid if I can afford to pay, then it goes on my card, and I'm done minutes after the auction closes.

[davekelly]

CraigN,

As opposed to our last discussion concerning ebay - I'm in agreement with you. While we read lots about bad sellers I'm sure there are many sellers out there that can tell some interesting stories about bad buyers.

You are right - bidding on ebay is entering into a contract. Verse2demax has the right idea. If you have a special circumstance - give the seller a heads up. No surprises - everyone in agreement, everyone happy (I hope!). I once had to ask a member if he could hold shipment for a week or so (was on vacation). I got a "no problem" reply which made me happy (btw: I won the item!!).

Dave

[CraigN]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cnwfan11

I agree with you,though I no longer have an account with them as I was threatened by a seller to send out a payment ASAP, even BEFORE the 7 day rule was up.I liked looking and buying old Tyco stuff,and Yatming semi trucks,I have many that I bought from Ebay,though now...I'm glad to be done with them.Yes when you agree to buy the item you are expected to pay for it,though ALOT of sellers are VERY impatient.Alot of things happen in a day,and in peoples lives.ie; accident,personal crisis,financial problems,etc,and most sellers dont even care about your problems. They lack the patience,and I feel that they are ONLY interested in getting the cash.Granted I have had many sellers who are understanding and are patient,but they are far and few,though they are the ones to do business with.To them, there are other things MORE important than money.Its interesting to read all the negative feedback from others whom have bought stuff from the seller.Makes you wonder if its REALLY worth it.

If you are having financial issues- should you be bidding if you can't pay?

When you place your bid, you are basically signing a contract stating that you agree with the conditions of the sale. If you can't live up to your end of the bargain, who's fault is it? Not the sellers!

I understand that stuff happens and sometimes you will get lucky with a seller if something comes up but don't tra***he seller if he is impatient. You don't know his circumstances.

Think about this example:
You are the seller and you are selling stuff because you are hurting for money. You want to put food on your table and someone doesn't want to pay right away. What do you do? If you don't get payment soon, you don't eat or your car gets repossessed.

I know that this example probably doesn't fit many sellers but it is possible right?

I'm just offering a different perspective on this.

[gvdobler]

Ebay has lowered the "rare" value of a lot of things.
We used to have an antique store and knew the value of things pretty well. Much like train people, antique collectors could not go all over the country to find rare items. Ebay has shown that instead of a handful of a certain item being still in existence, there may be hundreds of the so called rare item.

Find something you think is rare and I'll bet it's on Ebay. I found and bought every last issue RP25 Rivarossi UP passenger car set made in less than two months. All new in the box.

Their are alligators for sure on Ebay, but if you're careful you can find some nice stuff.

[simon1966]

Funny how the e-bay bug can get you!!

I have had generally good experience on e-bay. But i agree you have to be wary. If you see an auction with frantic bidding by a couple of ID's with 0 feedback , beware, it is probably an auction being run up by shill bidders.

[Anonymous]

trainluver1, is corrrect.

I shop mostly on ebay and forming good customer seller relationships is a must. There are a list of sellers that I keep who often times have reasonably priced items. What I usually do is inform them prior to bidding about my payment plan. If I need more time than they specify and they have no problem with it they give me the okay some of them will even pull the item/s and reserve it for at the ‘by it now price’(if there was one to begin with).

I'm usually very sceptical about new sellers and never buy from any whose membership is suddenly terminated after you've won the auction. Yes that's right, I've won a Sony PSP form an individual and the following day the item was pulled from my ebay summary (this was done by ebay), I then did a check on the guy's profile and it stated in bold red letters that he was no longer registered with ebay. I sent an email to him asking what had happened because he had 20 postive feedbacks @ 100%, his reply was that for some reason ebay has suspended his account but my items are ready to be shipped as soon as payment arrives, I was not convinced by his reply so I did not send payment. A week later another buyer who apparently was tracking my auction emailed me asking if I've gotten a reply from the seller because they had sent him $200.00 for an auction they had won the week before I did mine and haven't heard from him since. Now if I hadn't follow my gut feeling I would have donated $250.00 to his ‘dishonesty fund’.

[timthechef]

I've been hooked on e-bay just recently, I can see where you can get addicted to it. I have been checking it every day lately and have been tempted into bidding "over budget" on several items.

[Anonymous]

I agree - ebay is a great place to hunt items that you can't buy elsewhere. However, I've rather lost interest in it of late. The problems for me are the length of time it takes to complete a deal (I'll only pay by cheque - will never take out a paypal account after what I've read about them!) and the way that all prices seem to have gone up vertically of late - items seldom go for much less than full retail, the only real bargains are on the "buy it now" items. It's a great place to hunt for collectables but the inflated prices compared to normal shops and the length of time it takes to obtain the goods have made me less interested than I was.

[WilmJunc]

The ability to search for very specific items and oop items is its stong suit.. Ebay has provided the forum where someone that has an item that few people wantin can get together with someone who wants an item that few people have. It's certainly easier than searching yard sales and flee markets for those few must-have items.

[SpaceMouse]

I spend more than I should on eBay. There is always that one more bargain to win. Like was said before, you have to know prices. For instance, I never bid more than 40% of Walther's price on Campbell's kits and sometimes I win. The trouble is sometimes I win when money is tight--when I shouldn't even be looking.