Zero feedback seller - avoid?

[Sidney Vicious]

I am looking at a Tele from a zero feedback seller on ebay -

is there a safe way to buy from this dude?

I was a zero once myself . . .

[Tim Armstrong]

In general, I'd avoid a zero feedback seller, but as you mentioned, we all started there. The only way I'd bid is if I had good communications with the seller, including phone calls. And then, I'd trust my instincts. If I had the slightest feeling of doubt, I'd pass.

It's not like there aren't plenty of other guitars in the world!

Cheers, Tim

[superchicken_VI]

Local pickup is about the only safe way I see. I was a zero, but as a buyer. I didn't just jump in trying to sell as a zero. Always makes me nervous, and I don't do it.

[partscasteruk]

Does he take PayPal? If so you should be covered up to a certain amount, but you'll have to check whether he's verified or not...
Another thing you can do is email him, or better, phone him if you can - you can get a much better impression of someone that way.
Good luck!

[ajgus]

Not everybody sits there 24 hours a day & sells stuff on ebay. This could actually be a guy who has a guitar & wants to get rid of it. This could be the first & last time he ever uses ebay. But the same time, maybe he's a sneaky, untrustworthy a-hole. Like Tim said, trust your gut.

[blacklinefish]

A few months back I posted this same question (thread here).

Everyone backed up my suspicion that you have to be careful with zero-feedback sellers. The auction that I was watching (which prompted my question) ended up with negative feedback from the buyer and the "No longer a registered user" tag for the seller...

--gh

[stephwills]

I agree 100% with Tim on this. Communication is the key, and I wouldn't lay any money down until I spoke with the guy on the phone.

[Teleblooz]

I bought my Tele from a "zero". No regrets. The only eBayer that ever tried to screw me had plenty of positive feedback. There ain't no guarantees either way.

[Sidney Vicious]

Good suggestions - and thanks for the link to the old thread, blackline -

The guy has already sent me a phone number and some additional pics -

will call and feel out - so far seems legit - if the price stays right I may take a shot - and if I win you'll get the followup.

[txjeff]

Use a credit card and you can't lose. Paypal and you can. Been there, done that.

[Reno Sepulveda]

I'll tell you what I bought a CD last week on ebay. The seller has 98+% feedback. I paid last Wed. the item still hasn't shipped. Just goes to show you feedback isn't everything.

One of these days I'll sell some gear on ebay I hope somebody gives me a fair shake.

[Brian blaut]

I'm a suspicious person when it comes to ebay. too much funny business going on. I wouldn't buy a guitar from a zero feedbacker. The usual way to go is to sell some small stuff, buy some stuff, something to get some feedback on. BUT if you have the nerve to go for it, you'll probably be rewarded because most of your competition will likely be scared off too.

Check your local craigslist too. The prices are usually better (if your pateint) plus you get to try out the gear in person and there's no shipping.

BTW, I've bought 2 guitars off ebay. They are teriffic guiars, but its a gamble. Even if you get a good honest seller (which is likely) you may get a dud of a guitar. Make sure you get a good enough deal, that if you don't bond with it, you can sell it again without any financial loss.

Tim's advice is gold though, if you can talk to them on the phone, you probably know right away who you might be dealing with. I bet that if they were crooked, they wouldn't bother giving you their phone number.

[Colo Springs E]

....not unless it was local, and I could check it out first.

That's just me...

[studio1087]

Will he give a satisfaction gaurantee? It could be just fine. The first thing that I ever sold on ebay was a Les Paul Firebrand. It was a good LP.

Been there; done that.

See if you can call him on the phone.

[E.D. Patton]

I have over 900 transaction with 100% positive feedback.

When somebody tries to buy with 0 feedback I balk .

Buy 40 LPs, or whatever, and come at me with something substantial.

Too many scammers afoot, and it's galling that somebody is that unfamiliar with the "rules of the road".

I'm done with Ebay anyway. Too much weirdness, from above and below.

[bowlfreshener]

I have bought a few items from a couple of zero or low feedback sellers, but never for anything more than $30, and haven't had any issues whatsoever.

[johnnytronics]

Originally Posted by partscasteruk

Does he take PayPal? If so you should be covered up to a certain amount, but you'll have to check whether he's verified or not...
Another thing you can do is email him, or better, phone him if you can - you can get a much better impression of someone that way.
Good luck!

Covered my behind! $2000 buyer protection is a CROCK. Too long a story to back it up. I'd say hold off for a highly rated seller. Too much risk involved.

[Teleblooz]

My one transaction that went bad was when I sold an item to a guy in Spain (which isn't under the PayPal protection umbrella) who paid me with a fraudulent credit card. I had resigned myself to eating the $260+. To my everlasting surprise and delight, 3 months later I was reimbursed by PP when they apparently caught up with the guy. It scared me off international deals, at least as a seller, but did give me confidence that somebody's minding the store.