[BARC-List] Looking for old memories, sort of...

[Dave Emery]

On Tue, Feb 24, 2004 at 12:10:34PM -0500, Richard Amirault wrote:
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: <shersey@theworld.com>
> Subject: [BARC-List] Looking for old memories, sort of...
> (snip)
> > I *really* distrust Ebay and won't buy or sell there;
> > too many  horror stories.
> 
> I buy from eBay all the time, and have for years. My feedback rating is over
> 450 with 99% of those transactions purchases.  I've never been ripped off,
> and only dissapointed a couple of times. 

	I have had similar luck with eBay (though fewer transactions
~100). Some things I bought were better than others, but in general
compared to hamfests or other deals including commercial dealers I'd say
I'd gotten screwed less by eBay sellers rather than more.   Most  seem
very honest and sent me what they advertised promptly.

	There are some bad apples and scam artists there, but so far
they have been possible to spot and eBay has been very good about
throwing them off the system when spotted.    There seem to be a rash
of off shore scammers recently, in fact.

>  When considering purchasing
> something from eBay look at the picture carefully. Read the description (and
> try to "read between the lines"), and if you have any question send the
> seller eMail and ask for clarification.  Check the sellers feedback page to
> see how many transactions were from sales or from purchases, AND check for
> negative feedbacks.

	All of this is vital advice.  Caveat Emptor reigns on eBay.

	In general people who are big dealers with large feedback
ratings (or frankly commercial dealers) tend to more or less accurately
advertise and supply what they promise.  Small first time sellers
sometimes offer bargains because they don't know what stuff is or is
worth and sometimes try to palm off gear with serious problems or
missing components - special needs.   It is much riskier to deal with
them.

> 
> If the transaction looks a bit "risky" (and you still want the item) don't
> risk a lot of money ($10 is easier to loose than $100) ... and above all BE
> PATIENT, if you don't get an item keep looking .. it will usually show up
> again.

	That again is important advice.   Almost anything that shows up
once will show up again and often sooner than you think.   One phenomenon
I have noticed is that if something sells for a fat price people who
have the same item they have been thinking of unloading rush to list
it and there is a sudden flurry of listings of the item.   Sometimes
the second or third auction is at a lot more interesting price.

-- 
   Dave Emery N1PRE,  die@dieconsulting.com  DIE Consulting, Weston, Mass 02493