eBay Review

ebay.com

Overall 4.15 of 5 view all 187 reviews

Hakuryustar17
Asheville, NC

One of the best online shopping experiences

Every day computer user, not rich, an avid online shopper, a bargain hunter, a comparison shopper, budget conscious, always online, Budget-Conscious

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Pros

great for people that keep odd hours, Safe, find almost anything, can find almost ANYTHING, great deals, easy to use, great for people in rural areas, easy

Cons

buyer beware, be cautious and weary

AUG

2008

I've oftened dreamed of the days as a kid I could beat Wal-mart prices, and the day I discovered eBay, I do believe I found that dream. Not only has it proven to be the most value concious resource from everything from books and paper and up to car parts for my car, but just about asbolutely everything inbetween. I've bought and sold everything from cell phones, to laptops, and anything else I happened to have needed at the absolute lowest prices on the net. Its also been a good experience for me as a seller, I've learned quite a bit and established for myself a bit of credibility thats helped outside sales and what I've bought, its helped me establish two online businesses, and earn my spot as a member of management at my work.

Some of the highlights I would have to say about eBay is the incredible amount of selection available at the site. Its well organized and finding what you want can be a breeze, buyers and sellers are well protected from fradulent activity if buyers shop carefully.

I would suggest anyone buying from eBay that before you buy from any seller to:

a) Never buy from a seller who has less than 97-98% positive feedback, and that goes for those who have a established feedback history. For those that are new, its a good idea to keep insurance on the order from a seller like this, they deserve a chance to make you happy, but from two bad dealings in the past, I would say never in a million years buy from a seller who has anything less than a 97% feedback rating, as much as I love eBay, its better to stay away from eBayers who have anything less, they have that rating for a reason. Most of the time they will scam, overcharge, and not ship what your wanting. Better to spend a couple dollars more and buy from a respectable source. I've been burned twice in this manor and didn't enjoy the experience.

b) Shop very carefully. Sometimes the lowest price means the highest price in shipping, also check for international sellers, despite other things I've heard, I've actually done well with Japanese and Hong Kong dealers, and so-so with Chinese sellers. Shipping will be more, but sometimes even with the shipping on a rare item your after, I shop frequently for anime and hard to find collectibles and can only be imported, the Japanese or Hong Kong dealers do really well if your patient. Sometimes on consumer electronics you can get one heck of a deal as well and many offer the lowest shipping or sometimes free shipping.

c) Read everything in a listing. This has proven painfull in experiences I have had with electronics, cell phones, and laptops. Read everything about shipping, returns, item condition (don't assume its new), if there are any issues with a item, what are they and how do they affect the product, and verify again the sellers feedback rating. I can relate to a experience over a Verizon RAZR V3c that was a total wash and never settled to my satisfaction due to the sellers ratings having not caught up with him over the condition he sold his products in, misleading headlines, and hidden fine print. Don't let it happen to you, don't ignore the small print and wonder why a seller has small print on a posting if there is any, you may be better to go with a different dealer!

Overall despite these warnings and tips, I would say eBay is the best, you can truly tap into a great modern resource if you are very patient and enjoy the thrill of the chase for the lowest price and highest quality. If you dont happen to like that, eBay may be a bit harder and overwhelming with all the subtle cautions you do have to take when you shop there, and for the unwary, downright financially dangerous, but overall do I love eBay? Yes I do and my pocketbook thanks me for my ventures there a majority of the time.