Resolved My eBay experience thus far

[ugahairydawgs]

If you wanted an iPad do badly, you should have used Craigslist.

Or Best Buy, or Microcenter, or Walmart, or Target, or any number of authorized resellers.

Ebay has become a shell of what it used to be. Outside of small purchases (cables and such) I would do my best to stay away from it.....especially on big ticket items.

 

[boshii]

Buying on eBay isn't bad if you know what you're doing.

Selling on eBay is what really sucks. All the fees and buyer scams and the seller is left vulnerable without much protection.

 

[gabe211]

Thank you everyone for your replies!

Hopefully this post will serve as a warning to anyone that's considering buying high ticket items via eBay. Lesson learned.

Also it seems like everyone is half and half on whether I should handle it with PayPal or eBay. I did open a ticket via PayPal and have been communicating with the seller through that trying to get some sort of proof, so far nothing. Shipment is still in China "Preparing for Shipment".

 

[Willie5566]

If you wanted an iPad do badly, you should have used Craigslist.

Yea maybe you could have at least gotten held up and they could have taken your money.

Look I have bought from Craigslist but I pick and choose wisely and use it sparingly. Predators use the latest and greatest events and products to lure people in. It has just gotten worse recently.

I would go Walmart, Target, or Apple website before I went Cragislist. Save the prison rape for another day.

 

[MaxxTraxx]

Yea maybe you could have at least gotten held up and they could have taken your money.

Look I have bought from Craigslist but I pick and choose wisely and use it sparingly. Predators use the latest and greatest events and products to lure people in. It has just gotten worse recently.

I would go Walmart, Target, or Apple website before I went Cragislist. Save the prison rape for another day.

Meet in public places such as a bank. You can get held up and raped just about anywhere if you are not careful.

 

[Frenchjay]

Thank you everyone for your replies!

Hopefully this post will serve as a warning to anyone that's considering buying high ticket items via eBay. Lesson learned.

Also it seems like everyone is half and half on whether I should handle it with PayPal or eBay. I did open a ticket via PayPal and have been communicating with the seller through that trying to get some sort of proof, so far nothing. Shipment is still in China "Preparing for Shipment".

It appears the shipment is just being readied to leave the facility and be put on the plane. If it's not here by the 30th March, then start worrying.

 

[Jtludwig]

Wirelessly posted

So I decided to buy an iPad third generation as a gift for myself last week. Going to the Apple store was not an option (too far) and I really wanted it soon (shipping times online for Apple were 2-3 weeks at the time). I decided to poke around on ebay and found what I though was a good deal $559.99 for a 16GB model wifi only, free shipping. The listing said delivery would take 3-7 business days and the seller would be shipping from NY (I'm in TX). Now here's where you call me stupid; I've never once bought or sold anything on ebay. I've never been comfortable with the site and probably never will. Anyways, I bought it and went against my gut feeling. The buyer promptly sent me an email thanking me for the quick payment, I replied asking for a rough estimate for shipping to which he said "for sure next week". Well a week has passed, I sent an email asking if he had already shipped, he replied saying he would "tomorrow" and provide me with tracking. two days pass and nothing, I sent another email today and he finally gave me some tracking info. Looked it up and apparently it's being shipped via EMS (Express Mail Service Japan?) It's currently in SHANGHAI CN, not NY where I though it would be coming from. This has me feeling worried. The ebay listing was under "Ebay Buyer Protection" so if it turns out not be an iPad how effortlessly will I get money back?

Stupid move on my part. I'll stick to legitimate Apple resellers from now on.

Too Long; Didn't Read: Bought iPad on eBay for $10 more than what Apple would have charged me online plus faster shipping, turns out it's being shipped from China and not New York. I feel worried and stupid.

Did you even check the price on apple.com before you started bidding?

 

[gabe211]

Wirelessly posted



Did you even check the price on apple.com before you started bidding?

The way I stupidly saw it was that I would basically be paying $10 more (Apple would charge tax) and get it here in 3-7 days rather than apples 2-3 weeks delivery.

I wanted the thing quick which caused this debacle. Fair price to pay for not being patient or looking into other approved resellers.

 

[patricem]

Ask him for the serial number right now. If he won't give it to you, contact e-bay or Paypal. If he does give it, verify.

 

[Osarkon]

Ask him for the serial number right now. If he won't give it to you, contact e-bay or Paypal. If he does give it, verify.

The seller probably wouldn't have it - especially if the item is in transit.


That aside, looking at the seller's feedback, it all seems to be the same sort of listings i.e. high value electronics, which is good.

However, looking more closely, the good feedback is from him buying, not selling. The few negative feedback he has is from selling, where he refuses to sell the item at the price it went for in auction.

Don't quite know what to make of that.

 

[beauparc]

I have been following this thread with the greatest interest. I have never used eBay, but have been thinking of doing so in order to sell some computer equipment - Logitech illuminated keyboard, as an example. Various digital cameras, cases and other assorted electrical equipment.

I am extremely gratefull for all the information which has been provided here and will avoid eBay at all costs.

If none of my friends want the items, I will throw them in a skip.

 

[Hello...]

I am pretty much done selling there, buyers get a new item and send a defective one back to me claiming its the same one.
EBay always sides with the buyer its really sad.

 

[gabe211]

The seller probably wouldn't have it - especially if the item is in transit.


That aside, looking at the seller's feedback, it all seems to be the same sort of listings i.e. high value electronics, which is good.

However, looking more closely, the good feedback is from him buying, not selling. The few negative feedback he has is from selling, where he refuses to sell the item at the price it went for in auction.

Don't quite know what to make of that.

I went ahead and asked for a serial as well as a copy of the receipt, inferring he indeed used Apple to buy the iPad.

These are questions I probably should have asked well before I even purchased it.

 

[Southernboyj]

Thank you everyone for your replies!

Hopefully this post will serve as a warning to anyone that's considering buying high ticket items via eBay. Lesson learned.

Also it seems like everyone is half and half on whether I should handle it with PayPal or eBay. I did open a ticket via PayPal and have been communicating with the seller through that trying to get some sort of proof, so far nothing. Shipment is still in China "Preparing for Shipment".

I shop on ebay all the time, so far I've had pretty good luck *knock on wood*

I only buy from sellers with a feedback of 99%+ I prefer people with a lot of sells. If you are careful with your ads, eBay can be your friends.

 

[Dane9]

Ebay best site ever

many many buys everything ok

 

[lilcosco08]

Ebay best site ever

many many buys everything ok

wat

 

[Senseotech]

Ebay best site ever

many many buys everything ok

wat

 

[Nychot]

Dude, you got so ripped off. You'll probably get a box of rocks and dont think PayPal or eBay are going to come to your rescue so quickly. eBay owns PayPal btw. I often buy small items on eBay but only from u.s sellers and I usually contact them first with questions. I had a miserable time dealing with eBay and PayPal to get a refund on something far far less than $500. It took weeks. Seller always gets last say in many cases or they just disappear. eBay-PayPal don't want to part with a dime if they can get away with it or stall forever. Also didnt you question the fact that this guy was selling A hit new iPad for just a $60 premium. That alone was fishy AND with free shipping. What a laff. Shipping a $500 item from china insured costs close to $75. Dude, I'm sorry but you got royally screwed. Let us know if you ever get a refund and how long it takes. And IF you actually get an iPad in the mail I 'd bet it is a china knockoff. I recently was looking for a used iPad 2 on Craig's. Local guy offered a good deal. One of those if it looks too good stay away. I asked for the serial number and ran it by apple. It was not legit. I emailed the seller and told him. He sed oh apple made a mistake. Never heard from him again.

 

[shortcut3d]

I have a low feedback score (78) 100% because I only sell my Apple products less than 18 months old in mint condition. I also provide after transaction support. There are honest sellers out there.

eBay and PayPal have definitely swung way in the favor of buyers. I've had really bad buyers shake me down for discount threatening to give negative feedback or file a claim. What recourse does a new seller have?

 

[patricem]

What's the latest?

 

[gabe211]

What's the latest?

I was communicating with the seller through PayPal resolution center, he has now stopped responding to any messages. I asked him for any proof (photo, serial, receipt) or a reason why it was coming from China. He said he would provide me with photos, never did. I have now escalated it to a PayPal claim.

As far as the shipment, theres been no movement at all. It is still reading as "preparing".

 

[Polymira]

You will get your money back from Paypal as long as you keep on top of that, so no worries there for you. It just will take a while =(

Otherwise, I recommend checking out WalMart, Best Buy, or Target to pick one up once you get your money back =)

 

[gabe211]

You will get your money back from Paypal as long as you keep on top of that, so no worries there for you. It just will take a while =(

Otherwise, I recommend checking out WalMart, Best Buy, or Target to pick one up once you get your money back =)

I hope so! i know it will take a while.

 

[patricem]

Oh gosh. Well good you posted here....got good advice....instead of receiving it and having to deal with it after the fact. You've saved others now too from getting a knock-off. You won't loose anything...but just now have to wait longer to get your iPad!! I bought a powerbook and my macbook from E-bay so it's not always bad. They just have to have a ton of positive feedback as a seller. Keep us posted !

 

[avaloncourt]

I have a low feedback score (78) 100% because I only sell my Apple products less than 18 months old in mint condition. I also provide after transaction support. There are honest sellers out there.

eBay and PayPal have definitely swung way in the favor of buyers. I've had really bad buyers shake me down for discount threatening to give negative feedback or file a claim. What recourse does a new seller have?

Sellers really have it tough these days. I don't sell much of anything any more. I have a rating of 1000+ but it's just not worth the hassle.