Typical Ebay Experience?

[Roger Bielen]

I've done ok with eBay. Most of my purchases have been rolling stock, maybe two engines, that are not current and I needed for my collection. Usually, I buy local if possible, and I try to stay with dealers having a 99+ rating unless its something I really want, then I check what the complaints were. For engines, I'll enquire as to whether they are a TCA member, that gives a bit more assurance.

My biggest risk was purchaing a scanner. Saved a good penny on it. It was new in the box and fully warrentied. Maybe I've been lucky.

[tadowler]

I have had great luck both selling and buying rolling stock off of eBay. When you are buying, always check the feedback of the seller. Also, check the shipping amount because some sellers really overcharge for shipping.

Many people wait until the last minute to bid because some folks do not bid the amount they are willing to pay, they simply bid a little higher than the current bid. By bidding at the last second this denies the other bidders a chance to rethink how much they are willing to spend and rebid.

I have noticed that some bidders get caught up with bidding and forget that they can buy the same item from a different seller using Buy It Now or from an online retailer at a lower price.

I think that the biggest mistake people make is thinking that the item they are bidding on will never be available again. If you are collecting a particular item, it is easy to research how many times it has been offered on eBay and what the average selling price has been. By doing this you will know what a fair price is when another seller puts the item up for auction.

Lastly, please do not overlook the buy and sell boards like they have at OGR. I have had great luck buying items this way and this saves the seller the fees that eBay charges.

- Todd

[darianj]

I generally have good experience on Ebay (both buying and selling). The vast majority of the sellers are honest. Just be sure to check their feedback and do your homework on the item.

I haven't bought any trains; but I've bought accessories with no problem. I also always try to watch the bidding at the last minute to make sure I'm not beat out by something like $1.

[tbwilson4]

After 50+ purchases on EBAY, I was only burned once, and that was buying computer memory. Company took my mail order, & vanished! All the good feedback meant nothing. Was only out $20. I have never had a problem with any railroad related purchases, and these were some big ticket items. I now use Pay Pal whenever I can.

[Anonymous]

Over the past 7 years, I've made almost 600 eBay transactions, and have only been burnt once, for a $15. loss. Generally, I don't bid on anything that is supposed to "work", so that, in itself, cuts out a lot of potential dissapointments. I buy very few train items on eBay...the most recent, a 1945-46 Lionel metal caboose that I could not find in excellent condition at any train show, including York. The final price was near "book", and the seller showed many close-up photos of it. I'm happy!
Other things I collect are mainly only found on eBay, and I go to many flea markets and antique places. So, eBay, for me, is a place to find things I'm looking for...NOT a place to find things "super cheap". I'm ammused at people who complain that eBay is "no good" because they didn't get an item they bid low on. If you bid the most that YOU are willing to pay, and someone else is willing to pay more...whats to complain about?

[pbjwilson]

My e-bay experiences have been great. Even surprised on a few occasions with getting things that look nicer than in the photo in the listing. I usually decide how much I'm willing to pay and stick to it. Also seem to do better with auctions that end at odd times of the day. I recently picked up MTH Commodore Vanderbilt and a UP Forty-Niner engines practicaly new in the box at very low prices. They run great and I am very pleased.

[luther_stanton]

I have had decent experiences - never got badly burned (paid with nothing ever received). A few points I follow:

1. Make sure that what you are looking at is either 2 rail or 3 rail (which ever you are looking for)- I have gotten stuck once on a 2 rail with bad pics and failure to clarify. Luckily I was only out $12.00

2. When I have bought "lightly run" or "no box" I have been disappointed - I now stick to new in box.

3. There are reputable dealers that I have been introduced to through Ebay - TrainBuddies and Norm's O Scale are two. I now deal with them direct outside of Ebay, but my first purchase with them was via Ebay.

4. ALWAYS check feedback. If they are not 100 or more, I usually stay away.

Bidding is pretty fickle - I have seen some things run up out of control and others I am the only bidder and got what I considered to be a good deal- it all depends upon the day of the week, ending time, etc. I have also seen a few items bid up at the last minute.

- Luther

[jakeoregano]

I have made several purchases, and have spent more money than I care to admit - on Ebay. If you are well informed, do your research on an item you are interested in, and don't get caught up in a bidding war, you can lessen your chances of getting burned.
I've had really good success with my purchases and overall I'm very satisfied with all my purchases from Ebay.

I agree with the other posters that you should use feedback as a gauge on a seller as well. Sellers tend to be very, ahem, a little generous about the condition of their items, and it's been my experience that some are just plain wishful as to the value of their items. Having said that an item is only worth what someone is willing to pay.

If there were one piece of advise I would give though, it's be patient. If you don't get the item you want this week, it will almost surely be listed next week.

Good luck,
Dwayne

[ChiefEagles]

Don't like EBay. The experts will drive a good engine or car up at the last amen second. [V]

[tcripe]

Other than track and my first purchase at a local hobby shop (The Polar Express), all 30 cars, 3 engines, and 4 operating accessories were purchased on ebay. I would say i was disappointed with one accessory - the lumbermill required a new motor, easily purchased. No other problems. I have noticed higher prices on some items now compared to summer. And yes, things can get pretty hectic during the final seconds of a sale. You either need a high speed connection or set a firm price and don't cry if it is beaten.
- Terry

[dwiemer]

Chris,
I have made many purchases on ebay and have not been burned yet. that said, I always check the feedback and don't bid if it is not good. Also, my practice is to not bid on high end items, I think the most I bid was $180.00. One big problem is that the sellers have no idea how to rate quality.
Dennis

[Anonymous]

How many guys here buy some of their cars/locomotives from Ebay? Granted, I rarely use Ebay and the last time I used it was about 3 years ago. Generally I can be leery about buying things on there because there are often alot of dishonest people that tend to sell on there.

On the other hand, it would be a great way to get some great items for alot less, especially those that you can't find anymore. I really dont like bidding because there is usually a 98% chance of geting outbidded at the last second and end up losing. I would prefer the Buy It Now option and completely bypass the bdding altogether.

On one listing I say an Allegeny steam loco that has a current bid of $45. Now what are the odds that the bid will skyrocket right at the end? Pretty high most likely. I put a watch on the listing but I highly doubt that kind of engine would be purchased with a low winning bid...especially for what the retail of it is.

What have your Ebay experiences for trains been like? Positive? Negative? Unsure?

Chris