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Topic: Ebaying
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Sine Ziegler
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 225
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posted 12 December 2003 11:19 PM
I started Ebaying a few months ago and am slowly learning that it isn't all that great and can be quite frustrating. I was wondering if anyone else on rabble feels this way about Ebay.There are SO many fakes being sold as authentic. Once you bid on something, you get spammed by other sellers trying to sell you shit off of Ebay which is illegal on Ebay and should be reported. I started reporting the first few but now there are so many I don't have time for it all. My first purchase was good because the seller communicated with me and wanted to make sure I was going to be a good buyer. I checked out the Louis Vuitton purses and nearly half of them are fake although a lot of people are selling them as authentic. It's frustrating! [ 12 December 2003: Message edited by: Sine Ziegler ]
From: Calgary | Registered: Apr 2001
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Sara Mayo
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 3714
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posted 13 December 2003 12:14 AM
Once in a while I browse ebay, usually I'm looking for a specific computer part or peripheral.I always give up in frustration before actually buying anything. I've finally come to to two realisations about ebay: 1) ebay is a scam set up by shipping companies to inflate their profits. Sure you can get some things at a good price, but then add the shipping charges and your "great deal" becomes a rip-off. 2) ebay is worse than shopping at a pawn shop. You can't trust the quality or origin at all of anything you buy. At least at pawn shops, you get to see and touch the merchandise first, and police try to keep tabs on what gets sold to try to prevent stolen merchandise from being sold through pawn shops. No such checks and balances on ebay. There are lots of outright scams: for a while there was a whole series of legitimate seller accounts hijacked by a criminal who then "sold" Mac laptops for thousands of dollars, never sending the merchandise to the buyers, there are lots of other examples like this. But even more prevalent is the sale of "hot" merchandise. Ebay is the easiest way for theives sell stolen goods, its almost anonymous (match it up with identity theft and its untraceable) and no one is tracking the goods, unlike at pawn shops. And they get much more money for their work. (Here's an article about police opinions of ebay)
From: "Highways are monuments to inequality" - Enrique Penalosa | Registered: Feb 2003
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skdadl
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 478
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posted 13 December 2003 11:30 AM
Four, five years ago I was checking eBay regularly, watching for particular kinds of collectibles, mainly old Canadian pottery (like Medalta, MHP, etc.). Back then (sounds ridiculous to call five years ago "back then," doesn't it?), there were fewer people playing but there was more of the good stuff appearing, and it fetched decent prices, comparable to what people were getting/paying at auctions. I hadn't really followed things closely for a couple of years until I read somewhere last winter that eBay had caused a collapse of prices in the collectibles markets generally, so I started watching again -- and it's true. I guess because the market became so much bigger, so much more open continent-wide, it became evident to everyone that most collectibles, except for the really rare pieces, are fairly easy to find at any time -- and prices fell. Once prices began falling, people who had the more rare or valuable pieces became reluctant to sell on eBay, perhaps preferring local auction houses. I dunno -- but for sure everything has been affected. I realize that a lot of what I bought, I bought high, compared to what it might sell for now -- if it appeared. But there is less and less of what I would want or bid for. It isn't fun any more. I still look, just in case -- but it isn't fun any more.
From: gone | Registered: May 2001
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Sine Ziegler
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 225
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posted 13 December 2003 04:44 PM
Ebay is an interesting phenomena isn't it? My boyfriend collects stamps but he wont touch Ebay. He says the whole fun in collecting the stamps is finding an old shop and digging through old things to find the rarities.I guess if you are ever thinking of something you could you use, even just a peice of something else that is irreplaceable, you might find it on Ebay and it's good that way. Sometimes Ebay is funny too - the things that are sold on there are comical. Back during Dar Heatherington's peak publicity, I was considering putting her business card up as a joke. I had received it from her while she was running for city councillor. I think Ebay has gotten out of hand in certain areas, especially handbags. Oh well, it's evil to be greedy and want a $1000 handbag so maybe the punishment is my frustration and being ripped off by frauds.
From: Calgary | Registered: Apr 2001
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Shenanigans
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 2993
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posted 15 December 2003 01:13 PM
Wow, I've had nothing but positive experiences on ebay.I collect a toy from the 1980's and have often used ebay to get my collectible. I always check the feedback of the seller, decide how much I'm ultimately willing to put down and bid at the last moment. I've never been spammed or solicited by other sellers, however the collector community I'm a part of, is pretty relaxed and cordial. Especially considering a lot of them are under 20! (I feel so old at 25! lol). I'm sorry to hear of all your bad experiences, I've had nothing but good and have bought about 30 items off ebay.
From: Toronto | Registered: Aug 2002
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