Need moral support!! (NTC)

Jakedog · June 10th, 2003, 02:35 AM

Hey guys and gals,

Hate to bother you over somthing so silly, I just need to hear about some good E-bay experiences. I've never bought on-line before, but I'm in the heat of auction battle at the moment, and with all the horror stories I've heard about on-line trading, I've got ALOT of anxiety over this purchase. The seller has great feedback, and I know I'm probably freaking out over nothing, I just want somebody to tell me it's gonna be all right. My houshold doesn't bring in a load of cash, and I'm spending what to me is alot of money. Somebody throw me a rope and tell me there's nothing to worry about.

Thanx,
Jake

TeleGeir · June 10th, 2003, 03:34 AM

Ok, I have bought a few items on eBay now, all Tele related, including my Albert Collins tele, my '62 RI, my 90s Thinline, two bodies, two necks. And so far it has all gone well. Very well in fact. All items have been exactly as described.

One of the necks came with a broken tuner, beat up in shipping. Seller immediately sent me a new one, free of charge.

Shipping in general has been an issue, as in taking long and costing a lot, but I expected that, living in Norway.

So I am fairly relaxed about eBay. That is not to say that I haven't met bad sellers on the way. But I have learned a few rules and precautions that I use, and which so far has enabled me to avoid those few rotten apples. I posted them a while back, I think they are worth repeating. They are guitar related, but would generally apply to other items as well:

Quote:

1. Don't buy anything vintage. I simply don't know a real '52 from beaten reissue, so that is not a good idea. Unless I could have expert opinion, or the seller is a reputable dealer, maybe. I am not much of a sucker for vintage gear anyway, there are plenty of great new ones.

2. Don't buy if the ad hasn't got good pictures. If the seller cannot be bothered to borrow a good camera to accurately represent his guitar in the ad, I don't even consider it. Fine words come easy, too easy in fact on eBay.

3. No matter how good those pictures are, I always ask for more, taken from different spesific angles. That serves a couple of purposes: First of all it proves the item pictured in the ad is in his posession to take pictures of. A couple of times seller has said "Sorry, don't have the camera here this week", and I have said thanks but no thanks. Secondly it serves to show the real state of the item. Any seller will of course post the best pictures of his item, only the honest ones will post pictures of the flaws.

4. I always chat a little about everything, like our home towns etc. If he sounds friendly enough outside the sales pitch, it gives me a better feeling about the deal. And it gives me a feel for if the address is real, or if he is "on business in Romania"...

5. A few times I have politely inquired about previous bad feedback. If they explain in a polite way, I don't care so much what the story was. We can all have a bad one, and that is the way the feedback sytem works. But if they start calling the person leaving that feedback names that would be censored around here, I'd probably let it be.

6. Paying from Norway, I always ask for PayPal. Then I can dispute the transaction with my credit card company. If seller won't do PayPal, I ask why. Often they simply don't want the PayPal fee, so I offer to pay it (4% for international transactions) and lower my limit accordingly. I will never send anything like cash or checks, unless it is to someone I know. A money order to a known bank account is OK to a reputable seller, 'cause then the money can be traced. But it doesn't help you get the money back if the seller is a crook.

7. I don't leave feedback until I (or someone I trust) has seen the guitar. (It will be someone I trust at times, since I have some of the guitars shipped to US friends and won't pick them up until much later.)

Just my way of dealing with it. And if you really worry, consult fellow TDPRI'ers. (Though you said that it wasn't Tele related. If it is a Ming vase or a Porsche 911 we may not be the right ones to ask.

)

But if it is guitar related, ask us. That is what we are here for. Now I know that is a dillemma: Posting an eBay link here will effectively advertise a good deal to a few hundred others, and may give you unwanted competition. So instead you may want to contact a few of us that you feel you can trust by email or private message to ask our opinion and support.

eBay IMHO is no worse - nor no better - than society in general. You'll find all sorts there, but just like everywhere else, they will mostly be honest people. The main problem is you are dealing with a faceless individual without the aid of full duplex interaction with the seller that buying in a shop would give, and usually without being able to try before you buy. My rules as quoted above is meant to somewhat help on the first issue, on the second one I just hope that luck and statistics are on my side. And I buy items which have a reputation for consistent quality.

I'd say be relaxed about it. Most likely it will be a good experience. Minor hiccups may be expected, but they always are, and may not be anything to make a great fuzz about. (Like my broken tuner.) You are taking a risk, like in any deal, but it isn't any worse just because it is eBay. If you'd do the deal elsewhere, then you should be OK doing it on eBay, observing the rules of the game. If you wouldn't do it elsewhere, then eBay is not going to make it better, so stay out of it.

Good luck!

Geir :)

weelie · June 10th, 2003, 03:49 AM

Very Good stuff there TeleGeir, thanks, especially chatting about the hometowns and asking more pictures... never thought of those. Of course, I too always ask something via email, just to make sure. And if the ad itself is fishy and very vague, I usually don't bid. Sometimes I google the email address or nick, if they would have happened to post on newsgroups or have a website using it.

Jakedog · June 12th, 2003, 02:23 AM

Thanx Geir,

I didn't win the auction, but your ideas/insights definitely made a big difference in the whole experience. I now have some great e-bay ammo for the next time I see somthing I think I can't live without. Just another reason I couldn't live without the TDPRI. You guys rule!

Jake

P.S.- The item in question was a Guild JF-30 acoustic. I would love to have gotten it, but, you win some you lose some.

FraKo · June 12th, 2003, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jakedog

Hey guys and gals,

Somebody throw me a rope and tell me there's nothing to worry about.

Jake, I see the auction is over. But I want to assure you: you've got to think that I bought by e-mail thru e-bay a guitar: it had to cross the ocean, from Arizona to Italy... I was terribly afraid, but everything was good, the little axe was fine and healthy. I' didn't place any bids, that was a "buy it now" option, I must confess, but it was a positive experience, indeeed.

bluesunit · June 12th, 2003, 08:43 AM

I have a rating over 350 so far (lots of transactions, buying and selling).

One of the last things I bought through eBay was a 2000 Am Series Tele with 2 tone burst and maple neck. It was described as having sat in the case most of the time. It was, in fact, flawless. It had been played slightly, but that was it.

I did contact the seller beforehand, really just to get a feel. He was very polite and friendly. It was an individual, not a pawn shop or music store. That's always a HUGE plus to me. I've bought 2 flawless guitars on eBay, this Tele, and a Fender Jazz Bass. Both were from individuals who just wanted to get rid of something they didn't use. Both were shipped UPS, where I could watch the trip cross country.

It definitely is a leap of faith when you send off your hard-earned dollars, but I agree with the poster above who said that most people are honest.

Best of luck in your GAS!!

gtrjones · June 12th, 2003, 08:56 AM

I, too have a bit of ebay experience... (rating just over 100). I have had ONE bad experience, that I shoulda caught, and I lost $50 on the deal. I have purchased several guitars and amplifiers (a 73 sfsr for $450 shipped?) and all has gone well. I have 2 or 3 rules that I try to follow when I'm shopping...

1 - check their feedback... with all the stories out there, I don't really need to try to take any chances... so I usually don't. If a deal looks to good to be true, I usually just avoid it instead of looking deeper... but that's just me.

2 - Decide on a price and stick to it... don't get caught up in the bidding war... it still happens occasionally, but it's something I work on.

3 - associated with 1 and 2, remember, no matter how rare or hard to find something might appear to be, there WILL be another one on ebay... probably even next week. Don't worry about this one getting away, 'cause there will be more along soon enough...

good feedback, a willingness to respond to emails, good pictures, an accurate description are usually indications that you're dealing with a good seller. and because of #3, I don't sweat about leaving something behind if it feels wierd... just keep waiting, something will be along.

RelicStrat · June 12th, 2003, 05:41 PM

There's over 3 million auctions on ebay on any given day. They have been around at least 6 or 7 years cause I started ebaying in Dec '97 and I know they were around a good while before I started. Even if you've heard of a million horror stories that's still way less than 1 percent bad ebay dealings. I think you have better odds of your Tele being struck by lightning than getting burned on ebay. A lot of times the bad dealings are in large part due to poor or absolutely no communication from the buyer while the transaction is taking place and after it has completed.

Mark Davis · June 12th, 2003, 06:05 PM

The feedback means little or nothing because the seller could have built up excellent feedback on 5-10$ items.

I would treat Ebay like any other online purchase. If you really see something there you want to buy email the seller and ask for their phone number so you can talk voice if they wont give it to you look elsewhere.

Once they give you the phone number ask as many questions as possible. Its very easy to spot a crook just by what they say or the way they conduct themselves.

Also dont bid until the last 2-3 mins of the auction and be prepared for a sniper to always outbid you.

gtrman911 · June 12th, 2003, 06:18 PM

I check feedback. I especially checkout bad and neutral feedback, and how they respond to the bad FB.

A good, honest seller will always answer your questions quickly, accurately and happily.

I've purchased quite a number of guitars from ebay, and always have gotten what I thought I was getting.

I just remember that things are relative, too. Good to me may not be good to you.

And I like paying thru Paypal and my bank because they will stand behind you if you *really* get stiffed!

IMHO....

Silverface · June 12th, 2003, 06:20 PM

Quote:

If you really see something there you want to buy email the seller and ask for their phone number so you can talk voice if they wont give it to you look elsewhere.

Good luck with that. Advice like that indicates a lack of direct experience as a buyer or seller on eBay. I've been on eBay for years with a feedback rating of over 250..zero negs...and I won't give my phone number to anyone until the auction's over. I DO answer email promptly and in detail...but I don't have time to chat on the phone with people who most likely haven't read the detailed descriptions or looked at the pictures (and I base this on 3/4 of the emails I get being completely inane).

That's asking far too much from part-time sellers. If a store has placed a listing and supplies a phone number that's one thing - but asking a private party to potentially take dozens of calls about an item is ludicrous.

My advice is carefully read the description, look at the pictures - and ask for additional details in writing by email. If there's a dispute, email is decent evidence...but phone calls are absolutely worthless

Emmitt O. · June 12th, 2003, 07:50 PM

Gang:

I, too, have nothing to complain about concerning eBay. I have bought several guitars off of eBay and only one was not what I would consider to be "represented by what the seller said". That guitar (bass actually) was repaired for $27 and it was still an excellent deal.

The problem I have with eBay is not the quality of the guitar, but the guitar itself. More likely than not, I will not like a guitar I buy from eBay. The neck will be too thick, or the guitar will be too heavy. Something won't meet the criteria I have for the guitar. Most of the time, I end up selling the guitar after a short time.

For that reason alone, I am no longer buying guitars off eBay. I need to play them first. If you're picky, it would be best to know exactly what you're getting. Otherwise, you end up like me selling what you just bought.

I like eBay. I'm finding great string deals there, and parts and tons of other stuff. But, I'm buying guitars after I have played them.

Take care.
Emmitt O.

Mark Davis · June 12th, 2003, 08:27 PM

I have purchased 9 items thru Ebay since around 1998 and probably 20-25 items after the auction closed and the item didnt reach the reserve price. I asked for phone numbers on every item and they all gave me phone numbers and a best time to call.

The way I see it is if the seller doesnt have time to talk for 5 minutes on the phone and just get a feel for how they are I dont have the time to give them my money.

This isnt directed at you Silverface I know your one of the good guys.

I really dont care how good the pics are or how good the ad is worded I just wanna talk to the people at a phone number so if something is weird when I get the item I can recontact them and talk about it just a bit more protection as I see it.

Whats wrong with that?

Silverface · June 12th, 2003, 08:38 PM

Mark - Nothing's wrong with that, and you always get the phone number anyway when the auction is completed.

One piece of advice though - buying items that didn't meet reserve is risky unless you and the seller use the "second chance offer" feature. Otherwise neither party has any protection at all through eBay - and even complaining about an "off-board" deal can get you suspended from eBay.

As I said, phone calls are fine for me...but only from people who have won auctions. I simply don't have the time to take calls from bidders. I'm not running a business. That's why I try to be *real* clear in descriptions, and when I can't be - I use low opening bids and no reserve.

Buying stuff through eBay can be fun...just use common sense and don't get caught up in "auction fever".

CSS · June 12th, 2003, 08:52 PM

Soemwhere I read that Paypal won't really help you if you get stiffed. Well I have a positive story. Low dollar item, under 50.00 for a video game that my Son wanted. The people neber sent the thing. After one month I emailed Paypal and eBay about it. Within 10 days my money was back in my PP account and the user was suspended. I did not buy the insurance from PP either. This seller had good feedback to boot! I keep waiting for he/she to hammer me on the feedback once the account is active again. The rep from Ebay said they would take care of it if they did so I'll see. I have bought a few guitars and sold a few on eBay and so far, all went well. I just bought a St** for my Son last nite. A 91 Sunburst for 450 and some change that supposed to be like new. I guess I have been lucky as I have a feedback of over 700 now with one neg from a guy who never paid.

Craig Stripling
ebay:24kplated

Mark Davis · June 12th, 2003, 09:15 PM

Ebay will protect you up to $200 on an item. If its a $201 item or higher and the seller doesnt send the item you have no recourse.

The main reason I like to talk voice is you can type anything and that doesnt necessarly mean its the truth as an example I could create a new Email account relogon here as a female add a picture of a pretty girl as my avatar and fool everyone here. But if you called me voice you would instantly know I'm a man.

Its hard to tell when people arent truthfull in print newspapers print lies everyday but if you talk to someone and ask a few questions and they are an untruthfull person they always hang themselves if you give them enough rope.

I can see where it would be a hassle if 100 people a day asked for your phone number to ask more questions in an auction but I could also see the other side if I asked for a phone number and a best time to call if the person just flat refused to give me the number I would do likewise and just flat refuse to bid.

I wont ever buy anything from Ebay anyway so it really doesnt make any difference.

June 10th, 2003, 02:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
Jakedog Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cleveland,OH But my heart's still in TE Posts: 2,889	Need moral support!! (NTC) Hey guys and gals, Hate to bother you over somthing so silly, I just need to hear about some good E-bay experiences. I've never bought on-line before, but I'm in the heat of auction battle at the moment, and with all the horror stories I've heard about on-line trading, I've got ALOT of anxiety over this purchase. The seller has great feedback, and I know I'm probably freaking out over nothing, I just want somebody to tell me it's gonna be all right. My houshold doesn't bring in a load of cash, and I'm spending what to me is alot of money. Somebody throw me a rope and tell me there's nothing to worry about. Thanx, Jake __________________ "Them that don't know him won't like him, and them that do sometimes won't know how to take him..."

June 10th, 2003, 03:49 AM	#3 (permalink)
weelie Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Helsinki, Finland, Yer-up Age: 34 Posts: 1,931 12 Photos	Very Good stuff there TeleGeir, thanks, especially chatting about the hometowns and asking more pictures... never thought of those. Of course, I too always ask something via email, just to make sure. And if the ad itself is fishy and very vague, I usually don't bid. Sometimes I google the email address or nick, if they would have happened to post on newsgroups or have a website using it. __________________ <- I don't need smileys, I'm smiling already.

June 12th, 2003, 02:23 AM	#4 (permalink)
Jakedog Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cleveland,OH But my heart's still in TE Posts: 2,889	Thanx Geir, I didn't win the auction, but your ideas/insights definitely made a big difference in the whole experience. I now have some great e-bay ammo for the next time I see somthing I think I can't live without. Just another reason I couldn't live without the TDPRI. You guys rule! Jake P.S.- The item in question was a Guild JF-30 acoustic. I would love to have gotten it, but, you win some you lose some. __________________ "Them that don't know him won't like him, and them that do sometimes won't know how to take him..."

June 12th, 2003, 08:43 AM	#6 (permalink)
bluesunit TDPRI Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Hood River, Oregon Posts: 39	My eBay experiences have been 99.9 % excellent I have a rating over 350 so far (lots of transactions, buying and selling). One of the last things I bought through eBay was a 2000 Am Series Tele with 2 tone burst and maple neck. It was described as having sat in the case most of the time. It was, in fact, flawless. It had been played slightly, but that was it. I did contact the seller beforehand, really just to get a feel. He was very polite and friendly. It was an individual, not a pawn shop or music store. That's always a HUGE plus to me. I've bought 2 flawless guitars on eBay, this Tele, and a Fender Jazz Bass. Both were from individuals who just wanted to get rid of something they didn't use. Both were shipped UPS, where I could watch the trip cross country. It definitely is a leap of faith when you send off your hard-earned dollars, but I agree with the poster above who said that most people are honest. Best of luck in your GAS!!

June 12th, 2003, 08:56 AM	#7 (permalink)
gtrjones Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Austin, TX y'all Posts: 803	I, too have a bit of ebay experience... (rating just over 100). I have had ONE bad experience, that I shoulda caught, and I lost $50 on the deal. I have purchased several guitars and amplifiers (a 73 sfsr for $450 shipped?) and all has gone well. I have 2 or 3 rules that I try to follow when I'm shopping... 1 - check their feedback... with all the stories out there, I don't really need to try to take any chances... so I usually don't. If a deal looks to good to be true, I usually just avoid it instead of looking deeper... but that's just me. 2 - Decide on a price and stick to it... don't get caught up in the bidding war... it still happens occasionally, but it's something I work on. 3 - associated with 1 and 2, remember, no matter how rare or hard to find something might appear to be, there WILL be another one on ebay... probably even next week. Don't worry about this one getting away, 'cause there will be more along soon enough... good feedback, a willingness to respond to emails, good pictures, an accurate description are usually indications that you're dealing with a good seller. and because of #3, I don't sweat about leaving something behind if it feels wierd... just keep waiting, something will be along. __________________ www.myspace.com/treystapletonband We Love ya, Gaff! www.helpgaff.com

June 12th, 2003, 05:41 PM	#8 (permalink)
RelicStrat Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Laguna Hills, SoCal Age: 49 Posts: 426	I don't know... There's over 3 million auctions on ebay on any given day. They have been around at least 6 or 7 years cause I started ebaying in Dec '97 and I know they were around a good while before I started. Even if you've heard of a million horror stories that's still way less than 1 percent bad ebay dealings. I think you have better odds of your Tele being struck by lightning than getting burned on ebay. A lot of times the bad dealings are in large part due to poor or absolutely no communication from the buyer while the transaction is taking place and after it has completed.

June 12th, 2003, 06:05 PM	#9 (permalink)
Mark Davis Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bakersfield Ca. Age: 57 Posts: 12,236	The feedback means little or nothing because the seller could have built up excellent feedback on 5-10$ items. I would treat Ebay like any other online purchase. If you really see something there you want to buy email the seller and ask for their phone number so you can talk voice if they wont give it to you look elsewhere. Once they give you the phone number ask as many questions as possible. Its very easy to spot a crook just by what they say or the way they conduct themselves. Also dont bid until the last 2-3 mins of the auction and be prepared for a sniper to always outbid you.

June 12th, 2003, 06:18 PM	#10 (permalink)
gtrman911 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Camelot Posts: 1,130 7 Photos	I check feedback. I especially checkout bad and neutral feedback, and how they respond to the bad FB. A good, honest seller will always answer your questions quickly, accurately and happily. I've purchased quite a number of guitars from ebay, and always have gotten what I thought I was getting. I just remember that things are relative, too. Good to me may not be good to you. And I like paying thru Paypal and my bank because they will stand behind you if you really get stiffed! IMHO.... __________________ My opinion is worth what you paid for it.

June 12th, 2003, 07:50 PM	#12 (permalink)
Emmitt O. Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Mid-Michigan Posts: 272	My experiences, too, have been 100% good! Gang: I, too, have nothing to complain about concerning eBay. I have bought several guitars off of eBay and only one was not what I would consider to be "represented by what the seller said". That guitar (bass actually) was repaired for $27 and it was still an excellent deal. The problem I have with eBay is not the quality of the guitar, but the guitar itself. More likely than not, I will not like a guitar I buy from eBay. The neck will be too thick, or the guitar will be too heavy. Something won't meet the criteria I have for the guitar. Most of the time, I end up selling the guitar after a short time. For that reason alone, I am no longer buying guitars off eBay. I need to play them first. If you're picky, it would be best to know exactly what you're getting. Otherwise, you end up like me selling what you just bought. I like eBay. I'm finding great string deals there, and parts and tons of other stuff. But, I'm buying guitars after I have played them. Take care. Emmitt O. __________________ Leo Got It Right.

June 12th, 2003, 08:27 PM	#13 (permalink)
Mark Davis Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bakersfield Ca. Age: 57 Posts: 12,236	I have purchased 9 items thru Ebay since around 1998 and probably 20-25 items after the auction closed and the item didnt reach the reserve price. I asked for phone numbers on every item and they all gave me phone numbers and a best time to call. The way I see it is if the seller doesnt have time to talk for 5 minutes on the phone and just get a feel for how they are I dont have the time to give them my money. This isnt directed at you Silverface I know your one of the good guys. I really dont care how good the pics are or how good the ad is worded I just wanna talk to the people at a phone number so if something is weird when I get the item I can recontact them and talk about it just a bit more protection as I see it. Whats wrong with that?

June 12th, 2003, 08:38 PM	#14 (permalink)
Silverface Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hermosa Beach CA Age: 56 Posts: 1,860	Mark - Nothing's wrong with that, and you always get the phone number anyway when the auction is completed. One piece of advice though - buying items that didn't meet reserve is risky unless you and the seller use the "second chance offer" feature. Otherwise neither party has any protection at all through eBay - and even complaining about an "off-board" deal can get you suspended from eBay. As I said, phone calls are fine for me...but only from people who have won auctions. I simply don't have the time to take calls from bidders. I'm not running a business. That's why I try to be real clear in descriptions, and when I can't be - I use low opening bids and no reserve. Buying stuff through eBay can be fun...just use common sense and don't get caught up in "auction fever". __________________ “No Chops – Great Tone” ©

June 12th, 2003, 08:52 PM	#15 (permalink)
CSS Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2003 Location: Myrtle Beach, SC and Augusta, GA Age: 49 Posts: 798 25 Photos	Soemwhere I read that Paypal won't really help you if you get stiffed. Well I have a positive story. Low dollar item, under 50.00 for a video game that my Son wanted. The people neber sent the thing. After one month I emailed Paypal and eBay about it. Within 10 days my money was back in my PP account and the user was suspended. I did not buy the insurance from PP either. This seller had good feedback to boot! I keep waiting for he/she to hammer me on the feedback once the account is active again. The rep from Ebay said they would take care of it if they did so I'll see. I have bought a few guitars and sold a few on eBay and so far, all went well. I just bought a St** for my Son last nite. A 91 Sunburst for 450 and some change that supposed to be like new. I guess I have been lucky as I have a feedback of over 700 now with one neg from a guy who never paid. Craig Stripling ebay:24kplated

June 12th, 2003, 09:15 PM	#16 (permalink)
Mark Davis Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bakersfield Ca. Age: 57 Posts: 12,236	Ebay will protect you up to $200 on an item. If its a $201 item or higher and the seller doesnt send the item you have no recourse. The main reason I like to talk voice is you can type anything and that doesnt necessarly mean its the truth as an example I could create a new Email account relogon here as a female add a picture of a pretty girl as my avatar and fool everyone here. But if you called me voice you would instantly know I'm a man. Its hard to tell when people arent truthfull in print newspapers print lies everyday but if you talk to someone and ask a few questions and they are an untruthfull person they always hang themselves if you give them enough rope. I can see where it would be a hassle if 100 people a day asked for your phone number to ask more questions in an auction but I could also see the other side if I asked for a phone number and a best time to call if the person just flat refused to give me the number I would do likewise and just flat refuse to bid. I wont ever buy anything from Ebay anyway so it really doesnt make any difference.