Im scared of ebay...

  • Thread starter Thread starter parapraxis
  • Start date Start date
well, how's your judgement? I've bought 17 things from there in the last year. All transactions were great! If the ad is from a looser who hasn't sold anything, I wouldn't bid.. check the profiles, check the feedback links. Make sure and email 'em with any questions you may have. I recently bid and won an outstanding sound module for guitars, The Kurzweil 1000GX. Got it for $72. Also, a 1954 Fender Lap Steel with tripod legs. It's more fun than I imagined! Ebay works if you watch what you're doing.
hope this helps
 
Personally, I won't buy anything that I can't physically inspect and test for myself.
If it's a brand-new item from a manufacturer or distributor, then fine... it's covered if it's damaged or if the item doesn't work properly.
Somebody posted a story about a piece of equipment they bought on ebay that puked out after the second or third use.
And to make matters worse, they didn't use the piece for the first month they had it (because of vacation or something) and they were stuck with a bad piece of gear... losing several hundred $$$.
I know that the success stories far outweigh the horror stories, but it's still a gamble when you depend on the word of a stranger.
 
The only thing that scares me bout ebay is my wife finding out how much junk I've bought!

Had a few "educational" experiences the year before last, but have since learned how to protect myself from "misunderstandings".

The guy selling this mic trades in pawn shop type stuff and apparently gets a little behind (per his feedback) when it comes to shipping and organization. This would not discourage me from dealing with him if I could get a line of communication going so that he is aware of my expectaions as to how I will pay, how soon item is shipped after payment and the details of the item:
Is it the one in the pictures?
Does it work?
What if I get it and it doesn't?
Can we communicate over the phone and stay informed of
payment and shipping?

I've done really well on ebay. I've even gone to pickup some items within a hundred miles or so to eliminate "accidents".
I email most sellers and ask for a phone number. Actually talking to somebody can boost or diminish your faith in a deal.

Good luck!
Wish I had $550!!!
 
here's some more thoughts para,
if i were going to buy a car, i would want a new one (or at least drive it) because typically cars aren't worth what people pay for them and the keep them till there is major problems, then dump em on somebody else.
Musical equipment isn't in the same league... We musicians are (unless very narrow minded) constantly improving our art and our gear. Trading gear is a normal function of a progressing artist. Ebay works perfect for that. Also, as new products come out, we find our gear frequently obsoleted even though it's still in mint condition. Buying a guitar you would certainly want to do hands on, but a drum machine... keyboard... mixers...effects pedal... bla bla... the price is right. I also got an Alesis SR16 for $30. It's as new and I didn't have to pay the governor any TAX!
Just decide what you max bid is before you start and you won't overpay.
 
I've bought a zillion (slight exaggeration) things on eBay, sold quite a number of things, too...I've had more trouble selling than buying, and so far my only bad buying experience was a couple years ago when I got the wrong scanner (it was advertised as a different model by mistake) but I found the one I wanted and got it for cheaper anyway...and I sold the other one on eBay again! :p

Isaiah
 
My experiences on ebay have all been excellent, both buying and selling. I just bought a Presonus MP-20 with Jensen transformers for $338, they are $500 new. I am a strong believer in ebay, but you should exercise caution. Ebay has all the mechanisms built in to allow you to be cautious and backs it all up with a guarantee against rip off.
 
Communication is the key. Ask detailed questions. Get to know the seller as a person. Read his/her feedback carefully and completely. Check out the *type* of items he or she has bought and sold recently. Ask where he works. Ask where he bought the item you're interested in.

Follow the Golden Rule: I always give people my home and work addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses. I want them to know I'm reliable and accountable for what I offer to buy or sell. I treat customers the same as I would my closest friends and family. Everyone deserves honesty in description, careful packing, quick service, promptly answered email, and a fair price.

Look for a deal, not a steal. Ask for the serial number. If you suspect you might be bidding on stolen property, check out the serial number with your local police department (I realize that in large cities, this is sometimes not possible). If you have any doubts -- even just a bad feeling -- back away before you bid.

Be patient. You're going to pay a premium for getting something "right now." Wait for the right item from the right type of seller.

Consider the type of people who are interested in the product you are buying. There are likely to be more problems associated with the purchase and sale of baseball cards than bibles, for instance (no offense intended to collectors of either). Music is right in the middle -- there are tons of solid citizens and more than a few flakes. Therefore, a mid-priced microphone seller *might* deserve a bit more scrutiny than someone selling a high-end preamp, but you'll never know unless you communicate.

I have met the most honest, trustworthy, decent, caring, reliable people on ebay. Believe it or not, we're in the majority. Just keep your eyes open, and remember that ANYONE can cut and paste a photo and description from a manufacturer's website and claim to have (whatever it is) for sale. Asking questions and looking closely at photos helps to weed out the stinkers.

Don't be afraid!

Best wishes,

Mark H.
 
I think that ebay is awesome I spend about $5,000 per month on gear and have had no problems in the last year that I have been dealing there. I always make sure that the seller has a good rating for higher ticket items (usually anything over $500 ) depending on what you comfort level is. I think ebay is a fun way to shop for gear and I don't have to even leave my house. I have just recently picked up a studer A80 2" 16trk and a Neve Melbourne console from there and both pieces were packaged and shipped awesomely.

good luck
 
Postman,

That clicking noise in the background is the sound of our collective jaws dropping to the floor one at a time as we read your post. Five thousand a month? PLEASE post pictures of your set-up!

Welcome aboard!

Mark H.
 
You really gotta go with your gut on ebay.

Read the description. Does he sound like he knows what he's selling? Does the picture look good? If there is no pic....I say no way! (unless he will email a couple)

Read feedback. Feedback is everything! Would I send a grand to some guy named buttface_72 with zero feedback or 2 feedbacks with one being negative? NO WAY!

You can tell a lot about how a sale will go by reading each feedback entry and finding out how happy other customers were.

You can also get a good feel for a person by emailing a few questions to him. Does he sound like a like minded person just selling some gear or does he sound like a used car salesman? Even worse....the one's who say something like "well, i actually don't know that much about it. i'm selling it for my friend/cousin/uncle/girlfriends mom but it seems great."

Also, hint around for reasons they might be getting rid of it. You have to do this slyly though if you want the truth. if you ask flat out, the liars will lie but if you hint around, the truth will often just be offered....examples:

A) "yeah the mackie's really done some great stuff for me but i finally upgraded to the old MCI I've been lusting after."

or

B) "I love this mackie and will miss it. i'm probably going to get another one just like it, it sounds so good."

Which is a more reasonable answer? B is fishy so no way!

The big rule is, if it doesn't feel right skip it and wait for one that does.


I haven't been burned yet...it's been cool for me as a seller AND a budget minded buyer.


heylow
Rock Jedi/Indie Snob
www.heylowsoundsystem.net
 
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