Ebay

[Tilly2]

I have just made my first ever purchase on ebay. It was surprisingly easy. I have always been a bit scared of ebay because there is so much on there, so many sellers and so many options.

Is this the beginning of the end, or the end of the beginning?

[margarettom]

I use EBay a lot. Always been satisfied with my purchases from both business and private sellers. Only once was I sent the wrong item, but it was quickly replaced with the correct one and free return postage and packaging was provided.
It is my go to online shopping site, replacing Amazon which I have gone off.

[ToraToraTora]

you'll get more confidence once you get used to it. I also advise getting a paypal account connected to ebay, that helps with paying. I by everything from Cars to shampoo on there. Once you get really settled have a go at selling too. I use it to keep clutter down and get shot of surplus items, that feeds my paypal which I use to buy things I need. Anyway Tilly well done for dipping in!

[jollyroger66]

Good for you Tilly. Bear in mind that ebay always favours the buyer,so if you're not happy with your purchase, open a case against them and get a full refund including return postage,

[BANANASPLITS]

Bought loads of stuff from china or hong kong half the price of British sellers and has always arrived

[alavahalf]

You sound as though you have crossed to the dark side .. before making a purchase I always check a sellers feedback and base the risk on that. Having made close to a thousand sales and purchases myself. The risk is fairly minimal these days as ebays buyers protection scheme, seems to favour buyers rather than sellers.

[BANANASPLITS]

I only buy on there now used to sell quite a bit got ripped off 3 times eBay never sides with the seller yet their quick enough to take your selling fees!

[Tilly2]

Thank you all for the encouragement. I shall dip in now and again, when I need/want something. Is there anything to beware of?

[bainbrig]

Over the years I’ve got into the habit of going to eBay for a price, then Amazon - often Amazon is cheaper! Not always, but it’s worth that double check.

[BANANASPLITS]

Hi tilly...I always check the feedback of each seller if it's less than 90% I look elsewhere

[Tilly2]

Thanks for the tips.

[alavahalf]

My guess is you are already lining up a second purchase..
..... It's 'the end of the beginning'....

[pastafreak]

Its an addiction, Tilly. My daughter was after me for years to use it. "Mum...everything is so much cheaper...you'll love it!"
My first few attempts to buy in auctions scared the life out of me. Now, I buy all my clothing, boots, cosmetics, etc on there. I do love it.

[tonyav]

I've bought many things from Ebay ( 600 to be precise ), never had a problem ( so far ) and no Amazon plus type scams on there.

[quizman55]

Don't rely on just the percentage feed back, 99% may seem OK but if the total number of transactions is in the millions 99% will mean loads of negative feedback. If you click on the number in brackets next to the user name you will see all the positive, neutral & negative feedback scores for the last 12 months. Click on the number next to negative and read the comments, make your judgement as whether to buy from this seller on that, anybody with loads of negative feedback buy at your peril, or look elsewhere, there is always another one to buy. This also tells you where the seller is actually based, they may say based in the UK but are actually in China, long delivery time from China, weeks not days. I always select "Within" and set 500 miles as the distance, this weeds out most of the Chinese sellers. Good luck and happy ebaying, it becomes addictive after a while.

[Tilly2]

Thank you, quizman.

[smurfchops]

I am always wary of buying from China or USA. ... Do they add on any postage when the items arrive or is it all paid beforehand??

[tonyav]

Paid beforehand, smurfchops.

[murraymints]

ditto the China thing....avoid like the plague...also clothing from East is made for midgets with anorexia ! lol

buy a lot of train things for oh on auction..it's all down to the last 30 seconds !! but lots of good buys to be had...if buying a new item I double check on AMAZON but usually E bay has better deals and more likely to include P & P I have found...

[rowanwitch]

I get my specialist sewing threads from Australia and New Zealand, yarn from Norway, and all sorts of other stuff. Couldn't do without it now.