Electronics on Ebay

RVJII

I have been looking at some equipment on Ebay lately but am a bit leary about buying used electronics from someone that I don't know. I'm one of those guys that always buys a new car or prefers to build a new house so that I know that nobody abused it.

I'm sure that many of you have experience with this and I'm looking for any advice or experiences. I know that I am probably being overcautious but I really want to be careful when dealing with such an unknown quantity.

Thanks for any help you can provide!

dorokusai

Just use common sense and buyer beware attitude and you should be fine. I have used Ebay/Half.com for purchases, and find positive feedback re-assuring, as well as past sales records and type of sales. I would also take a peak at www.audiogon.com , as you will find higher quality gear, and more adults selling quality gear than you will on Ebay.

Don't be afraid to ask many questions and if it's a high dollar purchase, ask for voice confirmation...it's your money, be safe.

PolkWannabie

I just recently bought a Onkyo DV-SP800 Universal player... New in stores $999 ... from eBay $600 ... Unit came pefectly package in original carton, looked and played as new. I think MOST sellers out there are well intentioned but one does need to take a little care.

You can usually tell by checking out users feedback whether the particular piece of gear is out their league or not i.e. in the past they sold a zillion things for $3.99 and now they have an item for $2,000. This isn't always horrible but if some has lots of good feedback tied to similarly priced items that's a plus for me. In addition you can tell pretty much what you need to know by having email correspondance with sellers, i.e. do they reply on a timely basis, will they allow you to pick up the item at their location even if you have no intention of doing so, is the item going to be packed in original carton etc. etc. Try and get the seller to provide photos of the specific item they have for sale as opposed to the manufacturers picture of it etc.

I-SIG

I've been gigged twice now on eBay by folks who seem mostly okay. No more for, thank you very much.

Wes

Tour2ma

Ditto the above... Feedback examination and communication, especially seller Q&A, are important steps for your comfort.

Almost all my many, many ebay ventures have been buying used gear. So far I've had no performance issues.

When the few disappointments that have come my way arrived, they've been cosmetic or packing issues. In almost all cases the sellers have made good.

On the other hand, there have been a few items where the seller overdescribed a flaw and when the item arrived it was no big deal.

Are you looking at anything in particular?

madmax

Out of approximately 175 ebay and audiogon transactions I have never been ripped off. It's very simple, look at their feedback, the pics and read the whole ad very completely. I've had a few disappointments along the way but generally it was my own fault for not reading the ad or assuming something that was not said. For example, I purchased new rims and tires for my Chevy Blazer (which I also purchased off of ebay as well) and guess what? I received 3 like new tires and wheels. Just like the ad said! (I didin't read it well enough). Heh heh! Make your deal and send off your money to a stranger which you have no recourse with and they will normally send you your item. It still amazes me how many honest people like us are out there!
madmax

dan t

Libertyc

Look at the seller's feedback rating, and what other items he has sold in the past. If an item says "untested" or "I have no way of testing" they the item is BROKEN. A good ebayer selling electronics will test and know the working condition of his items. I have made many many ebay positive transactions. The WORST part of buying from ebay is the shipping part. I had a few items destroyed by UPS, USPS, and FedEX Ground, mostly because of a poor packing/shipping job. Polk speakers are known to have the magnets on the mid drivers knocked off, and the crossover board comes off too. If the seller wraps/packs very well or double-box the item then everything should be OK. I once had a guy ship me a pair of SDA CRS in the SAME box. The speakers were smashing against each other the entire time through shipping/sorting at Fed Ex groung. The worst time is when my Dynaco St70 II was destroyed by the US Post office. Always ask for extra bubble wrap and double boxing for electronic items. I like buying from ebay but you do take a slight chance of receiving broken items.

Spoonman

To say you will never get gigged is impossible but I agree with the others here who say do your research, feedback etc, develop a certain feel for what is real and use a little common sense. You will be fine. I have only bought 9 or 10 things through E-Bay but have never had a bad experience and one of them was a 50" Samsung DLP in Oct last year that went smooth as silk. Saved a few bucks and it has worked great albeit it was a new purchase.

RVJII

Originally posted by Tour2ma
Are you looking at anything in particular?

I was actually looking at a few Adcom amps. I feel the need for more power but don't have the cash to go for new right now.

nadams

I purchased my BSR CD deck from eBay. The seller shipped it very securely, and even put the transport screws in so that it would be safe for shipment. Unfortunately, you can't expect that treatment every time. Not many people can say that they still have the original transport screws for their CD decks :-)

Mully

Beware: Many manufacturer warranties require the product be purchased from an authorized distributor. This is especially true with higher end products with longer warranties.

RVJII

Originally posted by dorokusai
I would also take a peak at www.audiogon.com , as you will find higher quality gear, and more adults selling quality gear than you will on Ebay.

Thanks for the advice! Checked them out yesterday and found several of the amps that I was looking for at a very reasonable price.

jmasterj

I'm in the middle of my first two deals from ebay right now. One item arrived defective, and the seller and I are trying to work it out. The other item has yet to be delivered. The bottom line is are you willing to take a risk. It's a gamble. I believe most people are honest. You know how life is sometimes a few can spoil it for everyone else. Right now I don't think I want to take any more risk. If I make it through these two deals without loosing I'm going to count my blessings, and leave ebay alone...

danger boy

what people are saying in here about this is true.. or so that's been my experience.

I've sold and purchased several electronic items on Ebay. I've only has one problem so far. Recently bought a amp that had a bad channel. The seller played it up as being in great shape, but is being sold "as is". i should have asked more questions. I guess with any gear it can have problems in shipping or before the seller ships it out... and they may not mention it. But my experience has been that most people are honest and will work with the buyer to solve any problems.

jmasterj

Update:

The last email from the seller was that I should put in a claim againt UPS for damage goods, he said he insured the amp for $300.00 . There was no outside damage to the package, if anything is at fault in that area then I would think it falls on the person who packed it. Anyway I told him I want a refund , and will return the amp. I know he will not go for this. He knew it was bad from the start, thats why he sold it so I have already packed it up and have a return authorization number from Sunfire/Carver. I'm going to have it repaired. Chalk it up to experience and move on to the Pre Amp deal.

Tour2ma

First off the shipper must file with UPS.

Second, they will deny the calim if there is no damage to the package that corresponds to the item's damage.

File with ebay... $175 may cover the repair...