May monthly poll

[Computer Hope Admin]

For the month of May we thought it would be interesting to see how many of you have made a purchase from the eBay auction site or another auction site, how your experience was, and if you'd like to; what you bought. Feel free to talk about good and/or bad experiences, what you've learned from buying from other people, and if you bought from another auction site what auction site you used.

All past monthly polls and results can also be found on the Computer Hope poll page.

[lordvader781]

I've made several purchases on eBay.  I've also sold many things too.  I don't remember having any problems with purchases.  I do have a hard time getting the site to work.  Firefox does not seem to agree with it.  Occasionally, I have buyers who don't read all the info and ask about stuff I've already presented to them in the listing.

[GlitchPC]

I've only used ebay.

I've made purchases and sold items.  I've never experienced anything negative in all my transactions.

[Broni]

I bought from eBay only once, some years ago.
It was a carpet cleaning machine, and it came to me broken

[Calum]

I've used Ebay to buy and sell mostly computer-related items.
Have been doing this under my dad's account (or, more accurately, he's been using Ebay and I've told him what I wanted then paid him).
Tomorrow I'm finally legal for Ebay and Paypal, so I'll have my own account.

[street1]

Never had a problem with any EBay purchase in 4 years....crosses fingers..

[kpac]

Yes I have used eBay two times, selling one item and buying another. I would definitely NOT recommend it to anyone, ever.

[tekkite07]

Yeah, I just purchased for the first time from eBay.  It went alright.  I usually buy and sell on Amazon.

[uSlackr]

Perhaps a more interesting poll would be something like:

Have you purchased from eBay
- In the past month
- in ther past year
- in the past two years
- in the past 5 years

I suspect we'll see a drop off over time...

[kpac]

I suspect we'll see a drop off over time...

Except the poll only runs for a month.....

[BatchFileBasics]

Ebay - Where you can get $10 8gb flash drives

[lectrocrew]

I've bought lots of new things off of EBay. I bought a rear end carrier for my trans am and a big kenwood amp which were both used but in excellent (as listed) condition. But I would still be hesitant to buy most used stuff from EBay. JMO 

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Ebay - Where you can get $10 8gb flash drives

Hong Kong - where you can get 32 GH flash drives.
LOL
I bet you could find them on Ebay too.


I haven't used Ebay myself, but I've used a similar website where I got a new 320GB External HD.

[mroilfield]

I bought my wife some earrings from EBay once. Other then that I just site back and watch her use it. The woman if an EBay whiz.

[frige]

I have bought and sold quite a bit on ebay. When it works it is really good BUT. There are a lotta crooks out there who will get you if you dont watch out. And what do you do if you get ripped off? Leave bad feedback 

Oh and paypal doesnt care either as long as they get their $$

[macdad-]

Ebay only, very secure from what my mom says(Paypal)

[JJ 3000]

My mom says I'm very handsome.

[macdad-]

So does mine 

[computeruler]

never bought anything from ebay or another site like it

[Zylstra]

I could swear I already replied to this...
Actually, I just recently bought a pocket watch on eBay (I cant wear a wrist watch due to carple tunnel). It should be here this week.

[macdad-]

To bad there isnt a built in music player for this Poll - *Starts remembering Weird-Al's Ebay* 

[truenorth]

I have used e-bay --but not often-no problems with product or any other aspect of the transaction.Only been a buyer.
I used to use another site U-Bid quite often for computer related items.However the fact of the matter is that while they purport to be an "auction" site they are far from being so.Most of their offerings have a minimum start bid price  even though they usually say "no reserve". Complaints to them on their misuse of the term "auction" have fallen on deaf ears.
I have used the "used(name of city).com sites for both buying and selling and they are great.No fees and excellent results. They cover most large north American cities.
truenorth

[soybean]

Ebay - Where you can get $10 8gb flash drives

Where? At buy.com.  For example: SanDisk 2GB Cruzer Micro U3 Smart USB 2.0 Flash Drive (Ready Boost) - SDCZ6-2048-A11 

I can't recall how many times I've purchased on ebay; I'd guess at least ten times.  Most, if not all, purchases were computer-related items.  But, I haven't purchased anything on ebay for quite some time now; I can't recall the last time but it may have been over two years ago.  Once I started using online sellers like newegg.com and tigerdirect.com, ebay lost my interest.  From my perspective, I see people paying very close, if not as much, for parts on ebay as they would be for new parts from non-auction sources. Keep in mind you need to add shipping cost and look at the total cost when assessing whether or how much an ebay purchase would actually save. Some ebay sellers charge more for shipping than what non-auction sites charge.  And, when you consider the time needed to monitor activity on an item of interest and play the bidding game, you're probably spending a lot more time buying on ebay than from other sources.  And, what about warranty coverage?  In general, you probably have a better warranty situation when buying from non-auction sources.

Most, but not all, of my ebay purchases were positive experiences.  One bad case was a game I purchased on behalf of a boy who was the son of a friend.  He was not old enough to do this himself, so I offered to make the bid and purchase.  The cost was only about $10 but it was a fraud; the software was an illegal copy (a program burned onto a common-brand CD) and it simply did not work.  That seller was soon banned from ebay.

Another negative experience was the purchase of a printer cartridge (a part with the actual print head, not just ink) for an older printer.  I could not get it to work.

One situation where I'd still use ebay is for parts for older systems, where parts are hard to get from, or no longer sold by, regular retailers. 

On the seller side, I once sold a book.  I also tried to sell another book but got no bids. 

[squall_01]

nver have never will.  Its a matter of trust an the things I want wouldnt be in good condition which is another thing.  You can change it like wiki an make it say whatever.  So I dont trust it at all.

[soybean]

You can change it like wiki an make it say whatever.  So I dont trust it at all.

What?  Only the person posting an item on the auction can change the content of their posting. 

[macdad-]

Really you have to be careful about buying electronics on Ebay, but heck if the Seller has a good reputation and great feedback, then it seems good enough to trust.

[squall_01]

you can put anything in that and not everyone questions it.

[computeruler]

I saw someone selling their sole.  I herd about someone selling a can of mountain dew with "a special surprise" for over $70.  People also sell things that they see Jesus's face in

[soybean]

you can put anything in that and not everyone questions it.

put anything in what, an ebay listing?  do you mean people can list anything on ebay?  please be more specific, more precise.

[BC_Programmer]

I bought an SNES, several games, a gamecube and a gamecube game.

No problems so far. All was as the seller stated.

[squall_01]

yes, which is good but he could have had it without like the power transformer and say its all there.  I mean like the condition and such to make money.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

That's why you should look at the user's reputation......and the description.

[squall_01]

can you hosntely say that it is right?  You thought the same about me. 

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

What the.......?

[squall_01]

I have a high thank count and other things that some how happened.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

I'm pretty sure you manipulated your thank count, Squall. And anyways, Ebay reputations cannot be self-manipulated.

You're spending actual money with Ebay. If the reputations meant nothing, they wouldn't have it.

Squall, have you ever used Ebay?

[BC_Programmer]

yes, which is good but he could have had it without like the power transformer and say its all there.  I mean like the condition and such to make money.

So I guess the 99.8% positive feedback merely masks their carefully calculated 0.2% fraud?


Actually, the SNES took over 2 weeks to be sent, because the seller had some health problems. I was the only one that didn't complain about that (When his wife informed me I told her to pass on get well greetings) So I saved myself an additional 40 dollars, as well as the shipping cost. 

[macdad-]

My ATI Rage XL card for my old Optiplex GX150, was just as the guy said, came with the cd and everything and works great 

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Just remind Squall I want him to answer my question.

[squall_01]

there you got it was that so hard?  If you crossed my ip youd see that I havent.  That's the thing, No still dont like it.

[Ironman]

I have never used Ebay, I don't know why, I've used Amazon, Newegg, TigerDirect, Buy, MusicansFriend, Andy's Autosport, but never Ebay.

[squall_01]

exatly, not sure what a few of those are but still...

[computeruler]

I know! squall had laska thank him/her and laska thanked squall!

[squall_01]

I think that I thanked her once, she may have risen my count.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

there you got it was that so hard?  If you crossed my ip youd see that I havent.  That's the thing, No still dont like it.

Gibberish.


Have you ever used Ebay, Squall?

[squall_01]

whooo's that carbon?

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Answer the question......

[squall_01]

you changed it.  I said NO.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

First, you didn't say no.
Second, since you have not used Ebay, you have no reason posting your gibberish in this topic.


Now, if we could go back on topic.

I bought an SNES, several games, a gamecube and a gamecube game.

No problems so far. All was as the seller stated.

My game cube was damaged beyond repair a few months ago. I got a replacement from Ebay within a few weeks. Like the description, it came with power supply, manuals, and a single controller.

[quaxo]

And anyways, Ebay reputations cannot be self-manipulated.

Absolutely false. They can, and quite easily. It is, in fact, so easy, that most people don't realize it can be done. eBay is not as safe and secure as most might think in terms of bids and feedback ratings.

I know of one particular user from China that did just this. My mother had purchased something from him a year ago and never received it. I looked into it, and that's when I discovered what the person had done. I notified eBay of the things I had found. I never received a reply back, but within a few days the user had been banned.

I won't explain how it's done publicly, but I will just say that feedback ratings can be self-manipulated.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Oh I didn't know that. I would assume, by the way you said it, that it's not easy?

[quaxo]

Oh I didn't know that. I would assume, by the way you said it, that it's not easy?

No, it's really very easy. I was serious about that.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Well that's disconcerting to say the least...

Like I said before, I have not purchased from Ebay myself, but my brother and parents have done so with no problems at all.

I guess you just have to look at the user's history, comments, and item variety/selection. As far as I know, my parents have bought items from ebay stores instead of individual people.

[BC_Programmer]

Also most of my messaging conversations with sellers have generally been quite polite on both sides. My very first purchase- the SNES, took quite some time and I was starting to wonder when his wife messaged me, all concerned I'd give them negative feedback, because he was in the hospital. I just said, pretty much, "it's a game console- I can wait. " which actually managed to get me a nice discount... I was the only buyer that was understanding. (not that the others didn't have a reason, just- their games, for god's sake. I just can't see a reason for somebody to hold a game, or console or whatever more important then a persons health. Inconsiderate, I say.

[patio]

Well put BC...
Some people's priorities are all wonked.

[BC_Programmer]

Even more importantly, one can get discounts for being personable. I don't know of anybody getting a discount for being a arrogant jerk. Although I've heard of a few who got a pair of concrete slippers and a swimming lesson.

[quaxo]

Well that's disconcerting to say the least...

Yes. Especially since the thing she was buying was a Christmas present for me. lol

It's the only issue I've had with eBay, other than a Zboard keyset I ordered in which 2 keys were broken off of the keyset. Luckily, the pieces were still in the package and I managed to super glue them back on the keyset without a problem.

[squall_01]

point proven.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

*sigh*

I would say something regarding your thank count....but it would be too rude and off topic....

The point is you've never used Ebay, so you can't make such opinions.

[squall_01]

I told you what I think happened.   Also its just that I dont trust a whole of people dont get me wrong but its just a big garage sale site.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

its just a big garage sale site.

That's where you're mistaken. People use Ebay to sell items they no longer use, but there are also many many many Ebay stores that sell merchandise online instead of in a store.

[squall_01]

yes but is that the main site?

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

.......yes?

[BC_Programmer]

Most of the nintendo stuff I've bought off ebay has been from retailers selling through ebay- except my SNES, which is in better shape then the one I had before (earlier model, so the plastic doesn't yellow at all- these ones are hard to find, but with a little care will never yellow. the later models (past about 1992) all yellow when exposed to the air, since they used a slightly cheaper plastic. Not sure about the re-released SNES model, though.

[Goofy54]

I did bought some memory chip from Ebay a couple of years ago and there were Ok and I did not have problem with the transaction.

It was good for me and I  maybe do it again if I need so.

Goofy54

[squall_01]

thats probably why I dont trust them, c64 stuff an it not working right or something.  I dont know I just dont care for it.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

LOL! I didn't get any word of that, Squall.

[squall_01]

ment that stuff you cant really get knowfrom twenty years ago an such, I think its just really me in general though.

[GlitchPC]

squall01...

What are you talking about?  I'm pretty sure no one has any clue.

Anyway...eBay is reliable...been using it for years.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Anything can be purchased reliably from Ebay, whether it be from the 20th century or 21st century.
Though there may be some instances where you don't get what you pay for, the vast majority of the Ebay transactions are positive.

So far, no one in this topic has complained about ever having any problems with Ebay. Only you, someone who hasn't used Ebay before.

Though you are entitled to your own opinion, you have no right to come into this topic and post uselessly about how you don't like Ebay. This is not a blog. As far as I know, you have no evidence to back up what you are saying (whatever it is you are saying).

Next time, do your research before posting your comments.
For example:
http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,82543.msg555610.html#msg555610
http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,82543.msg555176.html#msg555176

Again, I respect your opinion, but it isn't justified.


If you choose to respond to this post, I expect to be able to read it.
And if you do reply, I will not argue with you anymore since it is pointless and wont get anywhere.

[squall_01]

some of you guys are real bad at times, I'm talking about being insucre.

[quaxo]

So far, no one in this topic has complained about ever having any problems with Ebay.

Oh, so I'm no one am I, Carbon? Huh? HUH?

Albiet it was only once, and I have bought a lot on eBay over the years. Despite that one experience, I will still continue to buy things on eBay.

some of you guys are real bad at times, I'm talking about being insucre.

I didn't know you were insecure, Squall. 

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

You weren't complaining, Quaxo. 

[quaxo]

You weren't complaining, Quaxo. 

Oh, ok. 


...but I can if you want me to...

[squall_01]

there is alot you dont know that I dont like to mention.  I felt the need to say that.

[quaxo]

there is alot you dont know that I dont like to mention.  I felt the need to say that.

There is a lot you don't know that I don't like to mention because if you knew it would mean that I mentioned it which I shouldn't because you don't already know since I never mentioned it because I wasn't sure if you knew or not and I don't like to mention it anyway. I felt the need to say that.

[squall_01]

no, your way off. 

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Since this topic is about Ebay.....

Time to buy dictionaries!

[quaxo]

no, your way off. 

My way off? Are you sure? It's not someone else's way off?

Speaking of auction sites, I know my girlfriend gets a lot of crap off of some auction site out of Taiwan. Don't think she's ever had a problem with that one either. Don't remember which one it is, I'll ask her later and post back.

[truenorth]

Gentlemen/ladies. It is with a great deal of fear and trepidation that i re interject myself back into this dialogue. However it is my 1st time ever responding to one of these "monthly polls". If this is the way they turn out with a general ramble and a back and forth of personal attacks then it shall be the last one i participate in. I do agree that all are entitled to their opinion but it would be nice if the opinion advanced the knowledge of others on the forums and was substantially based in fact. This current topic has severely degenerated and in my view should be terminated before it gets even worse.There is another component of the CH forums where one can go off on a tangent about anything and perhaps those that are lonely or whatever should try that forum. With all due respect,truenorth

[patio]

Well put...

[Pholla]

Only bought from Ebay and that was nearly 6yrs ago.

I thort that it was good as i got what i bid for within a few days and the quality was high.

[Teresab56]

I've used ebay off and on for years.  Luckily, we've had pretty decent experience.  I've bought computer parts, toys, lots of miscellaneous stuff.

I have to agree with some of the others who've commented - it's pretty scary - you never know when you're going to run into someone who doesn't come through with the promises.  I've had a few friends who've had some really bad experiences with ebay.

[kpac]

You weren't complaining, Quaxo. 

I was.

Two times I used eBay, one selling something and the other buying something. Both of them went wrong.