E-bay, Changed?

[joe3407nomad]

Point of info do you think ebay in your area has become too commercialized. When I started buying on ebay it seemed like you were buying from individuals, rather than from stores or companies. I guess there are still deals to be had but not like the beginning, which for me was only about a year ago
Thanks

[cactusjack]

I've been buying and selling (mostly buying) on eBay for over 10 years. It has changed a lot in that time. The good deals are still there, they are just harder to find.

[dakota7557]

I've been on ebay since 1999. You could find great deals then...Now it seems that I usually end up purchasing from stores and companies. The Great Deals are far and few now...Jody

[billmac]

I think the same thing. I use to buy on Ebay all the time but rarely find a deal on Ebay anymore. At least not enough of a deal to justify the risk of no warranty and shipping costs both ways.

I usually check Amazon, google, then Ebay, and go back to Amazon to buy. If anyone knows a better way, please let me know. I buy over the Internet a couple of times a week.

[socwkbiker]

Don't take this personally, but I'm going to move this topic to the NNR board. It's a good topic though. Ebay still has some individuals, but it's become more and more of a place for small stores to get their stuff out there to the public. I think Craigslist has taken over for the individual trying to sell personal stuff due to the large competition from the Ebay stores.

[Yellow Jacket]

Yeah, most of the stuff isn't even an auction anymore. "Buy it now" at their price or don't buy it. :(

[ringadingh]

Its definately changed a lot, especially the last couple years.
Good deals are much harder to come by. Between all the buy it now and some of the high shipping rates the good old days are over. But it still does have a good selection of stuff, and for certain items the prices are still reasonable.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Yes it has really changed through the years. Can't find the deals like you once could. Most are some type of store now rather than individual.

[pirate]

I agree. As was stated above, there don't seem to be many actual auctions anymore. The majority of the items seem to be "Buy it Now," and few of those are good deals. I used to buy several things on there, but haven't now for a couple of years.

[ringadingh]

A pal of mine just explained to me why some of the sellers put such a high shipping fee on their items. He said that if you sell the item very cheap you pay a small listing fee, or none at all, then you pay a final sale fee depending on what price the item sold for. If the item is sold way below value but its made up on the shipping the seller doesn't have to pay as much to Ebay, as there are no fees on the shipping.

[joe3407nomad]

No offense, I didnt realize that was the wrong place to put the subject, thanks

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Ringadingh

A pal of mine just explained to me why some of the sellers put such a high shipping fee on their items. He said that if you sell the item very cheap you pay a small listing fee, or none at all, then you pay a final sale fee depending on what price the item sold for. If the item is sold way below value but its made up on the shipping the seller doesn't have to pay as much to Ebay, as there are no fees on the shipping.

I refuse to buy any item off eBay if I think I'm getting gouged on shipping. I've shipped enough items to know generally how much shipping costs.

[ringadingh]

I'll still buy something if the total price of the item and shipping combined are reasonable.
Lately while looking at bike parts a lot of them have shipping at $60.00 to $100.00 , I think thats out of line for a lot of stuff.

[nomadtom69]

when I bought the tourpak he had the shipping listed and when I bought it cheap I guess he was mad wanted to charge me extra shipping after I had already paid for the tourpak and shipping I did not pay any extra one reason he did not pack it very good and the lid edge got cracked (he said it got that way in shipping) long story short I told him we were even since he did not put enough packing around it to protect it.

[VulcanE]

I still buy from ebay a fair amount, and like Ring said, I consider the total cost, the item and shipping, when I'm deciding if I want it or not. I am familiar with what shipping SHOULD be, and if it's out of line, I either contact the seller about it, or stay away from it. A lot of them will work with you on it. The only time I've ever been screwed is buying from an individual.