Is this worth trying? ebay: scam or bargain?

[Chunder06]

Re: Is this worth trying? ebay: scam or bargain?

Well you have opened my eyes to ebay shopping, thanks guys.

 

[tommays]

Re: Is this worth trying? ebay: scam or bargain?

Ya know its bad when my son got busted for selling auto parts ?

And he has NEVER sold anything on eBAY :devil:


tommays

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Is this worth trying? ebay: scam or bargain?

eBay is a great source for things, but you have to be smart (like JB was) when you're transacting. I have never had a bad experience, but I follow some of my own simple rules:

I never bid on an auction with:
<ol>
<li> no or poor quality photographs
<li> a description that looks like it was done in a hurry
<li> the statement "I am selling this for a friend..." in the description
<li> the statement "not sure if it works, haven't been able to test it, but was told it did, etc., etc..." in the description
<li> an expected final value over $500 if the seller does not accept escrow payments
<li> bids from new users with "0" feedback (obvious sign of a shill, esp. if the account was created during the auction - like <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1984-16-Spindrift-Daysailer-Sailboat-trailer-motor_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ63729QQihZ010QQitemZ200017914949QQrdZ1"target="_blank"> <blink>this!</blink></a>)
<li> inflated shipping prices
<li> a "Buy it Now" far below the item's market value
</ol>

Never ever consider SCO's, they are all scams - every one of them. Make the seller relist the item with a buy it now at the offer price at a preset time or say no.

I almost always think of a question to email the seller. I then reply to their reply with another. I can then tell how being involved with them in a transaction will probably go...

 

[lakelover]

Re: Is this worth trying? ebay: scam or bargain?

As soon as he would not answer questions about the motor, I would have canceled my bid and dropped him like a hot potato. If he won't talk to you now, just think how he'll be if he already has your money!

 

[ST]

Re: Is this worth trying? ebay: scam or bargain?

bjcsc,
I agree with everything you listed above-I can tell that you are a season Ebayer; so I thank you for sharing to everyone here-, except the "SCO" (Second Change Offer] you described.

Actually I was involved with this SCO few months ago; I was the seller, my item didn't get sold (the highest bid was under my reserved price); so when Ebay advised me that if I agree, Ebay can offer the item to the highest bidder as a SCO for me. I agreed to this, and the highest bidder also agreed to purchase it from me-all through Ebay.

The transaction was consummated smoothly; we were both happy; and Ebay got their cut too; on top of the listing fee.

I guess, in dealing with this "SCO"-or the regular auction process for that matter-, one has to be carefull that it is done officially by Ebay only, and consummated through Ebay only as well.

 

[danpemby]

Re: Is this worth trying? ebay: scam or bargain?

Run, do not walk from and SCO that is not completed through Ebay. It is a EBAY violation (not that we all follow the rules) 8)

Examples of listing practices that are not allowed on eBay include:

* Offering the opportunity to buy the listed item or other items outside of eBay.

 

[ST]

Re: Is this worth trying? ebay: scam or bargain?

Perhaps I should give more details of this "SCO" through Ebay:

Ebay relisted my item at the highest bidder's price during my listing-which I agreed-as a BUYNOW price. I know the highest bidder was notified by Ebay, but I believe Ebay also notified all the bidders as well.

Furthermore, by relisting my item with a BUYNOW price, anyone else also have the second opportunity to buy the item. This way, all the parties involved can come to an agreement-quickly, by having the item sold -at a lower price than the reserved.

Hope that clarifies further about this Ebay's "SCO" to those who is interested...

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Is this worth trying? ebay: scam or bargain?

ST:
I think we're both talking about the same thing, and our differing opinions are a matter of semantics. What you did (the SCO) if fine, as I said, listed with a BIN. What I was referring to, and maybe I shouldn't call it a Second Chance Offer but I think it's what most people think it is, is when an item ends either below the reserve or more commonly something happens with the highest bidder. The seller then contacts you through eBay messaging (note: through eBay) and offers to sell the item to you for your bid and gives you payment instructions, etc.. This is very risky, but seems "on the level". This is the "SCO" I was referring to, although it technically may not be one, it is often presented that way (just as in JB's original post). My advice, summarized in the list above, is basically that until you are confident in your ability to discern between the two, assume all snakes are poisonous and don't pick them up.

On an aside, I don't know how many things you have sold on eBay, but in the future consider dispensing with the reserve. It has been my experience that having "no reserve" yields higher bids. I've noticed there is a psychological effect on the bidders as when they are on top, they know they will win the item. Everybody wants to be a winner! I sold my motorcycle on eBay several years ago (to buy my boat!). The first time I listed it I had a reserve. It ended well below the reserve. I relisted it with no reserve, starting at $.99. It sold for $1500 more than the reserve I had set the first time! And my final fees were much less!

 

[ST]

Re: Is this worth trying? ebay: scam or bargain?

bj,
Thanks for your explanations, I fully understand now of your original intend of describing those "SCO". Yes, I agree, there is a difference between the Second Change Offer generated by Ebay-and relisted by Ebay, and those offered by other individuals. The later are the ones that are highly suspect-most assuredly!

Also, special thanks for giving the tip of not to bother using the "Reserve price" option when listing an item for sale, yes, pshychological effect really seems to be in play here...I will definitely try this on my next item for sale.

Regards,

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Is this worth trying? ebay: scam or bargain?

I agree with Terry, I have bought and sold on Ebay for years and I will not do business with 0 rated sellers. I have even stopped bidding on items that had 0 rated buyers, if it a significant purchase. Trust is the only way to make sure you are getting a real deal and the ratings are the only way to establish trust.

All ebay members started out with 0 ratings.

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Is this worth trying? ebay: scam or bargain?

All ebay members started out with 0 ratings.
[/color]

True Spinner, but IMO you have to buy some things and establish a feedback score before selling. Most members buy before they sell...