Amazon Marketplace safe?

Beninio88

I was just looking about on the amazon website when I saw the marketplace. Is this safe? Is it just like the "buy it now" that you get from ebay?

I know that Amazon handles all the cash but what happens if I buy somthing and the seller does not send the item? Is it easy to get a refund from Amazon if the seller is messing you about?

Any tips/ advice about buying from them?
Thanks,
Beninio

divadee

I have bought from them a few times and never had any problems. Still do a price check around first as some of them are more expensive than buying them new. Check e-bay as well you may get it cheaper on there.

The one thing on marketplace is the p&p can be very expensive so that why its best to shop around first.

HTH ;D

Beninio88

Thanks divadee for your reply. Does it have a better reputation for avoiding scams, or is it like ebay (buyer beware)?

jaybee

I've used them a lot and never had any problems.
I love Amazon!

nicki_2

Slightly off the original topic but I wanted to share this with you :

I used to sell on Amazon as well as ebay and I would certainly watch the price of things on Amazon Marketplace.

For someone to sell on there it costs a fortune. Recently I sold a book that costs about £12+ to buy new from a book shop. I sold it at a reduced price because I'm trying to get rid of my clutter but need the money. I sold it for £8.30 but this is what I got in the email when I'd sold it :

Buyer's Price: £8.30
Postage & Handling: £2.75
Total Amount: (£11.05)

---

Less Amazon.co.uk Marketplace Fees: (£2.43)
Less VAT on Amazon.co.uk Marketplace: (£0.36)
Total Due Seller: £8.26


It cost more than £2.75 to post the item and I've noticed that with ALOT of Amazons prices.

In my opinion this sort of charging could lead to people upping the price of their item so as to make a better profit once they realise the costs they incur.

Personally I've switched to ebay. They have all their prices laid out in plain english (mostly) and with a little bit of work, I've even managed to set up a spreadsheet in Excel which tells me how much ebay fees would be and paypal charges as well. Added to that the postage costs (which I work out using royalmail website and kitchen scales) and I can easily see whether it is beneficial to list the item at that price.

I've also used this spreadsheet to work out whether a really good deal is worth it. In some cases, the seller actually PAYS for me to buy the item (all the fees out-weigh what I pay for it) which I think is funny (I know, as I've done this myself unwittingly a couple of times - but now I've learnt my lesson and always check that I make some profit, even if its only 10p )