Ebay or not to Ebay - that is the question?

[JohnK]

I really despise Ebay for many reasons, and avoid them as much as possible. So much so that where possible I call/contact the seller directly to conduct the sale privately either online or via visiting their retail presence.

I have used eBay once and I said never again. I want to see the product before I buy it.

Have never used Paypal either. Not interested.

 

[Rebekkap]

Re: Qantas taking Qantas Club vouchers off eBay!

I have used eBay once and I said never again. I want to see the product before I buy it.

Have never used Paypal either. Not interested.

Why would anyone want to save money by buying a product that's identical wherever you get it? It's not like you could buy an HDMI cable on ebay for $2 with free shipping, when from JB Hi-Fi the cheapest one you can buy is $22.

And why would you want to protect your credit card details why you save that money?

Clearly both stupid ideas, I can see why you keep clear of the whole thing. Actually the internet is probably just a fad - you're better off avoiding emails and sending letters.

 

[Daver6]

Re: Qantas taking Qantas Club vouchers off eBay!

Clearly both stupid ideas, I can see why you keep clear of the whole thing. Actually the internet is probably just a fad - you're better off avoiding emails and sending letters.

You forgot about online forums Why would I want to use one when I can't see the person I'm talking to?

 

[Rebekkap]

Re: Qantas taking Qantas Club vouchers off eBay!

You forgot about online forums Why would I want to use one when I can't see the person I'm talking to?

You're right! Damn! Ok, in future, I'm not talking to anyone online. This will be my last message...

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Re: Qantas taking Qantas Club vouchers off eBay!

Why would anyone want to save money by buying a product that's identical wherever you get it? It's not like you could buy an HDMI cable on ebay for $2 with free shipping, when from JB Hi-Fi the cheapest one you can buy is $22.

And why would you want to protect your credit card details why you save that money?

Clearly both stupid ideas, I can see why you keep clear of the whole thing. Actually the internet is probably just a fad - you're better off avoiding emails and sending letters.

I was thinking exactly the same . I just bought a phone case for $4 with free shipping that costs $19.95 at JB Hifi. paid with my AMEX too through PAYPAL. What on earth was I thinking????

 

[Alanslegal]

Re: Qantas taking Qantas Club vouchers off eBay!

I flog off unused and unneeded ammenity bags. The last two Thai Airways F bags I sold in recent weeks netted me $155

On my next trip on TG F, I will try and get as many ammenity bags as I can [and then it will subsidise my points purchases] LOL

For example, four bags per return trip to Europe earns ~$300, so that's more than 10% saved off a USDM purchase.

 

[drewbles]

Re: Qantas taking Qantas Club vouchers off eBay!

As a seller, I *despise* eBay and PayPal. They end up taking nearly 15% of my sale and if I have the audacity to say 'direct deposit preferred' they will de-list my item. Likewise you're not allowed to surcharge for PayPal. People then up the shipping costs, and eBay have been known to come down on the people who sell an item cheap and then have expensive shipping (shipping and sale are different in PayPal).

As a buyer, i'll use it to get sample pricing, and shop direct with the merchant (many online eBay regulars are from stores, so i'll buy direct from them for the same price; they make more, it costs me nothing, and i'm happy).

eBay has its uses, but it's making money for jam pretty much. I've often considered starting up a competitor to them, but with the clout they have, they'll either put you out of business or buy you for few bucks (not millions either).

 

[blackcat20]

Re: Qantas taking Qantas Club vouchers off eBay!

As a seller, I *despise* eBay and PayPal. They end up taking nearly 15% of my sale and if I have the audacity to say 'direct deposit preferred' they will de-list my item. Likewise you're not allowed to surcharge for PayPal. People then up the shipping costs, and eBay have been known to come down on the people who sell an item cheap and then have expensive shipping (shipping and sale are different in PayPal).

Ebay have made some improvements for sellers recently; my store price has dropped from $50 to $20, with free listing. It's not perfect, but it gets me extra sales and directs more people to my website.

 

[casanovawa]

Re: Qantas taking Qantas Club vouchers off eBay!

The more options there are the better for buyers to search especially with it costing little to go online and look around as compare to driving etc (i don't think i have used the go to the seller direct method on eBay yet)... For sellers, well its still probably cheaper than opening up a bricks and mortar store with all the costs associated with that... Much lower barriers to starting to sell something and see whether there is a market...

But for buying cables, adaptors, mobile phone accessories and small generic things like that you'd have to be slightly crazy to go to Dick Smith or hardly normal and pay like 5 to 10 times the price on eBay...

Clothes/shoes is one thing where i wouldn't particularly buy from the web as usually i do like to try them first...

 

[Warks]

Re: Qantas taking Qantas Club vouchers off eBay!

I've bought furniture through eBay. Always offered cash on delivery (or my pick up in reality) - that way you can always renege when you see what a piece of rubbish you've bought! No it's never happened. Everything I've bought has been so cheap there's been no reason to quibble. I bought a very nice bookshelf for $2 and I felt so bad about it that I gave the guy $10!

There are some things I wouldn't buy though.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I love eBay !
I collect vintage designer costume jewelry and handbags and providing you know what you're looking for its a veritable treasure trove of goodies. Much more competitive than the Australian market especially the Japanese sellers.
I keep promising Shrek that I will start selling stuff every time my next package arrives but then I look at the effort of listing and the fees and for an amateur like me it would be a waste of time.

 

[Mal]

Use it occasionally. Mainly small items from China.

Have bought some high end stuff there too where the price was a third of the Aussie price, or not available in oz but generally I don't trust many sellers.

Wouldn't use it for razor blades, branded batteries, memory cards etc as all of these categories are crammed with fake items.

 

[blackcat20]

I keep promising Shrek that I will start selling stuff every time my next package arrives but then I look at the effort of listing and the fees and for an amateur like me it would be a waste of time.

It only takes a few minutes to list using the iPad app. And the fees aren't too bad. There's always gumtree!

 

[JohnK]

Wouldn't use it for razor blades, branded batteries, memory cards etc as all of these categories are crammed with fake items.

Would you buy a Japanese electric, remote control, golf buggy for $700 when it appears to be a popular item and everyone else is buying them?

I took it back a couple of times in the first 6 months and for the next 18 months it went back another 3-4 times and still not fixed. That was ~6-7 years ago. I gave up and is now sitting in my garage collecting dust.

I guess I could sell some useless things I have on eBay using Paypal but I just cannot be bothered because I am so stupid.

 

[Mal]

Would you buy a Japanese electric, remote control, golf buggy for $700 when it appears to be a popular item and everyone else is buying them?

I took it back a couple of times in the first 6 months and for the next 18 months it went back another 3-4 times and still not fixed. That was ~6-7 years ago. I gave up and is now sitting in my garage collecting dust.

I guess I could sell some useless things I have on eBay using Paypal but I just cannot be bothered because I am so stupid.

Well I wouldn't trust you online until you built up a good rating (from other sales) for a $700 item. And then you would probably have to have "pickup only" due to weight and size so target market is small.

Can't you sell it through your golf club?

 

[JohnK]

Can't you sell it through your golf club?

I would struggle to give it away.

 

[Mal]

I would struggle to give it away.

So you think it is junk then basically. If it is broken or otherwise unwanted by many... well you wouldnt be getting 700 for it. But I'm not an expert so get your own advice.

 

[Skyring]

Re: Qantas taking Qantas Club vouchers off eBay!

I was thinking exactly the same . I just bought a phone case for $4 with free shipping that costs $19.95 at JB Hifi. paid with my AMEX too through PAYPAL. What on earth was I thinking????

A fountain pen for me. $49.95 at the shops in the city, $24 on eBay including shipping from Malaysia.

I've been using eBay and PayPal for years. There are scammers around, to be sure, but overall, consumer items are cheaper on eBay. Buy from a seller with a solid feedback history and you can relax.

 

[Skyring]

I guess I could sell some useless things I have on eBay using Paypal but I just cannot be bothered because I am so stupid.

John. I've met you. You aren't stupid. Far from it.

I'm not in the market for a buggy buggy, but I dare say some people are. It would be worth something to them. Not sure eBay is the answer, but there must be local outlets. Free classifieds.

At the very least, hire a trailer, load it up, take it to the tip shop. Problem solved, garage space reclaimed.

 

[cgichard]

Or get rid of it via your local Freecycle. Then whoever wants it can collect it and you don't have to take it anywhere. You can't charge anything but the 'feel good' factor of knowing that it's going to someone who really wants it is great.

I once disposed of a lot of outdated ski stuff (skis, boots & clothes) via Melbourne Freecycle. Received a lot of interest, of course, but chose to give it all to a keen skiing family of mother & 2 girls, all approximately my size, who lived near Healesville and had lost home and all possessions in the Ash Wednesday bushfires.