Comments on: Consumer beware, buying on eBay isn’t always the best deal http://tech.blorge.com/Structure:/2007/12/01/consumer-beware-buying-on-ebay-isnt-always-the-best-deal/ Top Technology news Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:30:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Jonathan http://tech.blorge.com/Structure:/2007/12/01/consumer-beware-buying-on-ebay-isnt-always-the-best-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-56916 Jonathan Sun, 02 Dec 2007 15:44:46 +0000 http://tech.blorge.com/Structure:/2007/12/01/consumer-beware-buying-on-ebay-isnt-always-the-best-deal/#comment-56916 Don, I wasn't trying to say not to buy on eBay but I did a lot of digging around and I only checked the prices of reputable eBay sellers, most of them were selling new returns, refurbished or just used laptops for almost the same price as new ones (after shipping was added in). Considering that, most manufacturers like HP, Dell and Gateway offer free or discounted shipping, combine that with coupon offers/special discounts or rebates and it isn't that much more to just buy a new system. I agree research is key but many sellers on eBay have got to be making a profit on shipping. I too sell on eBay occasionally and it's my policy to charge fair shipping prices not ridiculously inflated prices like many of the ones I came across do. I did contact the sellers, four out of six got back to me in 24 hours (though did not change the policies spelled out in the auction), the other two are now going on 48 hours without a response (unreasonable in my opinion). Still, those are some excellent tips. Don, I wasn’t trying to say not to buy on eBay but I did a lot of digging around and I only checked the prices of reputable eBay sellers, most of them were selling new returns, refurbished or just used laptops for almost the same price as new ones (after shipping was added in). Considering that, most manufacturers like HP, Dell and Gateway offer free or discounted shipping, combine that with coupon offers/special discounts or rebates and it isn’t that much more to just buy a new system.

I agree research is key but many sellers on eBay have got to be making a profit on shipping. I too sell on eBay occasionally and it’s my policy to charge fair shipping prices not ridiculously inflated prices like many of the ones I came across do.

I did contact the sellers, four out of six got back to me in 24 hours (though did not change the policies spelled out in the auction), the other two are now going on 48 hours without a response (unreasonable in my opinion).

Still, those are some excellent tips.

]]> By: Don http://tech.blorge.com/Structure:/2007/12/01/consumer-beware-buying-on-ebay-isnt-always-the-best-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-56914 Don Sun, 02 Dec 2007 15:19:00 +0000 http://tech.blorge.com/Structure:/2007/12/01/consumer-beware-buying-on-ebay-isnt-always-the-best-deal/#comment-56914 As an eBay Power Seller, I can offer a bit of advice for buying and selling on eBay. Most of these tips are common sense, but you'd be surprised how easy it is to get caught up in the moment and have common sense go out the window! First, do your homework. Know what the price of an item is before you ever log onto eBay. This goes for both buying and selling. Second, check the Feedback profile of any seller you are thinking of dealing with. If at all possible, deal only with established and well-regarded buyers and sellers. High Feedback scores indicate that the person or company has been trading on eBay for a while. Third, and this is extremely important when buying on eBay, check the return policies of the seller! If you have any questions, contact the seller and ask. A legitimate seller will answer your questions in a timely fashion in plain language. If you get the "run around" from a seller when you ask about an item or policy, look elsewhere! Buying on eBay can be a lot of fun, as long as you keep these few things in mind. Don Trip Dek Games www.TripDekGames.com As an eBay Power Seller, I can offer a bit of advice for buying and selling on eBay. Most of these tips are common sense, but you’d be surprised how easy it is to get caught up in the moment and have common sense go out the window!

First, do your homework. Know what the price of an item is before you ever log onto eBay. This goes for both buying and selling.

Second, check the Feedback profile of any seller you are thinking of dealing with. If at all possible, deal only with established and well-regarded buyers and sellers. High Feedback scores indicate that the person or company has been trading on eBay for a while.

Third, and this is extremely important when buying on eBay, check the return policies of the seller! If you have any questions, contact the seller and ask. A legitimate seller will answer your questions in a timely fashion in plain language. If you get the “run around” from a seller when you ask about an item or policy, look elsewhere!

Buying on eBay can be a lot of fun, as long as you keep these few things in mind.

Don
Trip Dek Games
http://www.TripDekGames.com

]]> By: Ken http://tech.blorge.com/Structure:/2007/12/01/consumer-beware-buying-on-ebay-isnt-always-the-best-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-56865 Ken Sun, 02 Dec 2007 07:33:55 +0000 http://tech.blorge.com/Structure:/2007/12/01/consumer-beware-buying-on-ebay-isnt-always-the-best-deal/#comment-56865 Don't forget the Dell Outlet. I've purchased several laptops for my family and others. I got a 9400/1705e 17" core duo for $799 18 months ago. It has Intel 945GM crap video, but runs Linux fine and was a hell of deal at the time. It's also better to purchase from the Business, rather than the Consumer division. Better warranty, US tech support, and less crapware. Don’t forget the Dell Outlet. I’ve purchased several laptops for my family and others. I got a 9400/1705e 17″ core duo for $799 18 months ago. It has Intel 945GM crap video, but runs Linux fine and was a hell of deal at the time. It’s also better to purchase from the Business, rather than the Consumer division. Better warranty, US tech support, and less crapware.

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