ebay is a scam

theskulls

I imagine there are many new people joining ebay with the tv ads and all.

But a word of warning, its full of junk!

dont be fooled by the hoardes of listings to get ipods for a fiver, free sky etc etc

also many people who have spent years building hundreds of positive feedbacks and a good reputation are deciding to cash it in. By listing loads of reasonabily priced but not ridiculous items. They get loads of customers then simply retire from ebay with a nice wad of cash. these are easy to spot - stay clear of anyone asking you to allow 30days for delivery. This is the length of time you are protected by paypal, not a minute more.

also the biggest scammer of all - ebay itself, they charge ridiculous amount fo listing items, and keep plugging paypal as the only safe option which is also owned by them and for which they also charge some tidy commission.

if your thinking about it, dont bother
its a cesspit of fraud, tax evasion, illegal imports, far east exploitation, and pirated !!!!!! all filling the banks of billionare tycoons.

scheming_gypsy

thanks for that


honest

::)


i'll sleep better now

Freebie_Hunter_2

Now Now, Gypsy!! ;D


Your advice is appreciated Skull - it's pretty well known. My guess is that you have just had a bad experience with them.

You do have to be careful but if you make the right choices when listing and be vigilant when choosing items then you're less likely to be stung.

E-Bay in all honesty has gotten progressively worse and it does seem like all they're interested in is taking their cut and not taking the problems that arise.

.... but then they'll charge you for the privellidge of mediating if you want!

Take a look on the vent and E-bay board and you'll find many others just like you on there.

soolin

Well, I'm happy with ebay. Without it I wouldn't make a little extra every month for luxuries.

I'm not a big seller just a hobby seller selling odds and ends and have had fairly few problems. I also buy a fair bit especially like now getting close to Christmas, again without too many problems.

In total I have well over 1000 positive feedback as a buyer and seller, with no negs or neutrals.

However, I know some people have problems and it is of course their right to stop buying and selling on there.

Soo

jaimeo

To be fair, a lot of EBay problems are caused by ignorance. I am NOT a seller. I do buy- however i pretty much only buy Gamecube games. I know how much these cost 2nd hand and so know what a reasonable price is.

Cae in point the 3 phones going for 70 pounds when 30 in the shop...I saw them on EBay, starting bid of 25 quid and thought it was cheap. Did a quick Google search and realised it was a joke.

Anyone paying for a website link for "cheap ipod" etc. is a fool IMHO.

chrislee765

I dont care how much i pay eBay (within limits). Millions of people can access it all over the world, unlike your local free-ads. I have brought many new items, cheaper than retail price and also i have sold many of items giving myself a small profit.

There are though a minority, fraudsters, time wasters etc, but you can get them anywhere, like at a local car boot!

bridiej

you just need to carefully read the description to make sure it's not a link you're bidding on that's all.

Yes, there are a few shiesters out there, but isnt there always?

I've been on ebay for nearly two years and touch wood have had no major probs.

trace-j

One mans junk is another mans treasure, is it not?

The thing with ebay its best to set yourself an upper limit of how much you're prepared to lose if it all goes t!ts up.

Mine is a £100 and spent on a mobile phone. Only been stung once for a £10 but not going to bang on about it.

Why on earth would anyone want to buy an electrical item such as an ipod at a supposed bargain price when there's a possibility it may not turn up.

Sometimes the prospect of a bargain can be too much and is all too late when the money's gone and theres nothing left but an expensive paperweight when it doesnt work

culpepper

Ive just started selling on ebay and have had no problems so far.
I always read the feedback of bidders and weigh up wether to remove the bidder or not.
My daughter and I were looking through the listings at harry potter items and were amazed at the 'first editions' and 'signed' books for sale at ridiculous amounts. Some do not seem genuine .
Anything without a picture is avoided.
My OH bid on a laptop some years ago ,only to find the seller had over estimated how many he would need to supply.It was months before OH got his money back and the seller was banned from the site.

jasi_2

Hi there, I would not go as far as saying it is all a scam. However I am under no illusion that the original exellent idea to provide a place were ordinary people would offer their unwanted goods in exchange for cash resulting in another receiving something they really like for a bargain price has gone to pot. These days it appears that proffessional dealers use it as a platform to up their sales. If I wanted something from a shop I look in Kelkoo or other pricecomparison sites. Looking into e-bay I much rather find second hand items or the unwanted. Sadly they are more and more difficult to spot. Anyone out there to start this great idea all over again?

Queenie

Do remember, before E-bay existed, let's not forget ....

... you could buy/sell at Boot Fairs (still can!)
... hold your own Garage Sale (still can!)
... buy/sell through the free ads papers (still can!)
... buy/sell through shop noticeboards (still!)

I'm glad you made your post as I'm not experienced in Ebay at all, nor do I intend to be. I do like a nice grope before I pay my money