E-bay

[CarlG]

I bought my '31 pickup on eBay. The guy was a jerk and among other things tried to "amend" the payment terms after the sale. I prevailed! The mechanicals weren't quite up to the standards as advertised, but I was able to get the sale price low enough to take care of some of that.

[Mike51Merc]

In June I placed an order for window cranks (and other stuff) from Mac's. They gladly handled the order and took my money. The box arrived without the cranks, with a notation on the slip that they were backordered. I called Mac's and asked the estimated delivery date-- the answer was 6-8 weeks.

Now how does this differ from the OP's ebay story? So the guy was out of stock and backordered. It doesn't make him the best seller, but it doesn't make him a bad guy either.

[Scott H in Wheaton]

Originally Posted by Mike51Merc

In June I placed an order for window cranks (and other stuff) from Mac's. They gladly handled the order and took my money. The box arrived without the cranks, with a notation on the slip that they were backordered. I called Mac's and asked the estimated delivery date-- the answer was 6-8 weeks.

Now how does this differ from the OP's ebay story? So the guy was out of stock and backordered. It doesn't make him the best seller, but it doesn't make him a bad guy either.

The difference is the auction format. When you are bidding on the item it is assumed/implied the seller actually has the item.

If you don't have the item you shouldn't be running auctions on it, unless you specifically word the ad to let the buyer know they are bidding on a special order item that may take weeks to receive.

With a parts house / catalog store a reasonable person could understand how they would occasionally be out of stock on some items.

[raceron1120]

I've bought/sold on eBay for years, had mixed results with buying, and the time it takes after winning & paying until I received the item(s). I NEVER sold anything that I didn't have in my possession at the time.

I've bought from Amazon too and after paying for a few pieces found out they are being shipped from overseas! Recently I special ordered an item from Home Depot, at time of order the estimated date of receipt to my door was 6 days. But when I checked tracking status several days later, it showed a revised delivery date of mid-October!!!

Point is, it happens. I don't care so much where it's coming from, but really do like to know WHEN to expect it.

[Mike51Merc]

Originally Posted by Scott H in Wheaton

The difference is the auction format. When you are bidding on the item it is assumed/implied the seller actually has the item.

If you don't have the item you shouldn't be running auctions on it, unless you specifically word the ad to let the buyer know they are bidding on a special order item that may take weeks to receive.

With a parts house / catalog store a reasonable person could understand how they would occasionally be out of stock on some items.

Sorry I still don't see how auction makes it any different. I agree that sellers of both types should have inventory in hand or at least be able to procure inventory in a reasonable time.

What burns me is when they fail to tell you it's backordered until after you place the order, they take your money, they deliver some stuff, and it's virtually too late to buy somewhere else.

[itsa52]

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I prefer to buy stuff from friends and do a bit of networking with like minded people. Ebay is a great source for old and hard to find old parts. Occasionally some re-pop stuff someone bought and didn't use.. Otherwise I prefer to get re-pop type stuff from reputable dealers with catalogs and try to stay away from guys selling the same thing on eBay for 150%. As always "Buyer beware."

One thing I always think about is that when you win an item on an eBay auction.. You have just paid more for something than anyone else in the world was willing to pay .. Ummmmmmmmmm

[Mike51Merc]

Originally Posted by itsa52

I prefer to buy stuff from friends and do a bit of networking with like minded people. Ebay is a great source for old and hard to find old parts. Occasionally some re-pop stuff someone bought and didn't use.. Otherwise I prefer to get re-pop type stuff from reputable dealers with catalogs and try to stay away from guys selling the same thing on eBay for 150%. As always "Buyer beware."

One thing I always think about is that when you win an item on an eBay auction.. You have just paid more for something than anyone else in the world was willing to pay .. Ummmmmmmmmm

I guess my experience differs. Most everything I've purchased there was a lot less than retail price, then again, I've "lost" (actually won dollar-wise) many auctions because I quit when prices rise too much.

Auctions work well for buyers when the audience is small. You pay more than anyone else was willing at that very moment in time.

[35fordtn]

In my opinion, ebay can be a great marketplace for buyers and sellers. I have sold many items on ebay for a whopping penny. That is the fun of it. But I agree that no seller should offer something they dont stock, unless it was a simple inventory mistake.

[AnthonyG]

Yeah, ebay is a love hate thing. Sometimes it's the only place to get the stuff you need. As said, be guarded and use PayPal. I find contacting the seller and threatening with a bad review means a lot and gets them doing everything they can to help after they have screwed up. If that doesn't work give a bad review and file a complaint.

[xix32]

E-bay 4/09. I bought a pair of cut `32 spring perches from Ron Kevern of Muskegon, MI I paid $ 47.78, not a whole lot of money. But I never got them. two weeks later I started sending him messages thru E-bay asking what happened. he just ignored me.
I filled a complaint with E-bay after a month, pointing out that he was still advertising other stuff on E-bay. I asked E-bay why they wouldn't pull his ads? they told me they would fine him. So, the end result is E-bay makes money off the crook and I get NOTHING ! never got any kind of follow up from E-bay. but I did get an email from another buyer who also got stiffed by this crook - RON KEVERN, Muskegon, Mi

[35fordtn]

You should have filed a case against him.. Then he would have to provide a tracking number. IF he doesnt they will automatically refund you your money.