eBay Arbitrage

Oh, I wouldn't "go after" the guy, I'm annoyed at myself more than anything.

The article does point out a problem for Mr Snugglehead- returns. The end-buyer figures out what is going on, returns the item for a refund (presumably buying another at the original Amazon price), and the return leads to a several more on-costs.

Some third party sellers even have that covered. My wife bought a toy for one of our nephews a while back. The seller shipped the wrong toy. With it came the instructions to call Toys R Us. if there were any problems. She did call Toys R Us and they were more than happy to take the return and ship out the correct toy. I think some of the E bay and Amazon "sellers" have a company name and that's all. They get a commissions from brick and mortar retailers for each item they sell. If it works it's a great business model. No store, no inventory, no shipping or receiving, no dealing with returns or defective merchandise. The only capital investment is a computer and a spot on a server somewhere.
 
You guys need to get get Wikibuy. It works really well, saved me some coin.
 
Here's the seller in my most recent purchase:
http://stores.ebay.com/nbdeals79?_trksid=p2047675.l2563
Over 10,000 items listed in the store, store has one category- "Other". Only 931 feedbacks... but this means he's a "Power Seller", which gives him some kind of protection- I can't leave neutral/negative feedback for 7 days.
I'll wait...

I don't see why you would give him a negative review. Any business model involves buying low and selling high. He didn't trick or con you, it's your responsibility to comparison shop, in my opinion.
 
Good thread! The 'old' E-bay was, IMO, more fun than the current E-bay...

Are there alternates to E-bay... that are large enough to be reputable, yet small enough to not be full of the issues noted in this thread?

The only alternative that I've heard of is dealdash.com. As I understand it, you pay 13 cents per bid, so you can get get $500 item for only $15..... plus maybe $50 in bidding fees. Or some such nonsense. That's great for the bid winner, not so much for the other bidders who paid to bid and got nothing.

Tom
 
Last edited:
Good thread! The 'old' E-bay was, IMO, more fun than the current E-bay...

I agree, I miss the old ebay. Deals were so much easier to get. Now a days not nearly as much, still can be found but you have to know how to search & filter through all the crap.
 
I agree, I miss the old ebay. Deals were so much easier to get. Now a days not nearly as much, still can be found but you have to know how to search & filter through all the crap.
Yeah, it seems like most of the searches I do on ebay nowadays returns pages of brand new items that are cheaper from Amazon or other web stores. Some raw materials being an exception.

Tom
 
I find amazon to be a little cheaper than eBay, with the added bonus of two day shipping... it's getting to a point where for all things, if it's not on amazon, I won't buy it....

As far as alternatives outside of amazon, Craigslist, letgo, and there was another one I can't remember... at least in my area though not so much for machinists.. I was looking to get a used non-Chinese mill but all they have around here is rust-buckets in need of a major overhall...
 
You guys need to get get Wikibuy. It works really well, saved me some coin.

This may be good, but I just tried and it requires I have to set up an account. I prefer to look before I create an account, so this is not for me at present.
 
The only alternative that I've heard of is dealdash.com. As I understand it, you pay 13 cents per bid, so you can get get $500 item for only $15..... plus maybe $50 in bidding fees. Or some such nonsense. That's great for the bid winner, not so much for the other bidders who paid to bid and got nothing.

Tom
Far from a fair site. You have no way to know if you are bidding against other humans, or computers programed to keep the auction going. Surprised it has lasted as long as it has. I would love to see their books, and what actual winners have received.

http://www.nbcnews.com/business/con...te-accused-running-perverse-lotteries-n771166
 
I totally agree, if the buyer thought it was a good price, received the item as advertised, in the time promised, then what is the problem?

Same ones who want to earn $15 + bennys to make a widget by day then go to Wally world that night and buy it for $10 is who.
 
Back
Top