[Boatanchors] STUFF

[J. Forster]

Ron wrote:

>  Well, not to be contrary, but ebay is nothing more
>  than a cesspool of ripoffs. No, not everyone, but
>  enough of them to set the tone. Ebay, as a company,
>  has no ineterst in helping swindle victims,
>  because, first, they make their money off the
>  offenders and, second, would like to avoid rocking
>  the boat. That's bad for business.

That's an overstatement but does have a kernel of truth, namely that eBay does
little to protect buyers from rip-off sellers or unjustified negative FB. As a
consequence, I use payment methods that give me recourse (I don't sell), and
only leave FB in reply to good FB left for me.

>  Those who know that and still buy at the ePlace
>  either don't care (and get ripped off most of the
>  time) and those that do know (and get ripped off
>  only occasionally).

I've done over 1500 transactions and gotten cheated badly about 3 times
(actually by hams in all three cases). As to flea markets being better or safer,
I've been cheated several times at those too. For example, I was sold an HP
solid state preamp with blown MMIC inside. $100 in the trash. Also, I bought a
satellite down converter, missing the phase lock brick deep inside. More wasted
money. Had I purchased those two on eBay, I would have filed Mail Fraud
complaints with USPS and gotten the money back.

Life is not perfect. Poop happens. Live with it.

FWIW,
-John


>  Yes, you get far reaching access to goodies. Once
>  found, though, you are bled white gor every piece
>  junk.
>
>  Just my $0.02...
>
>  -- Ron