Tips for buying things on Web Auctions (no names!)

[ptate]

Well,

I've bought a few things, both international and national, and have managed to work out a few safety tips. If anyone else has any, maybe this is the place to posts them?

Here's mine:

1. Check feedback carefully and look at the items sold/bought. Anyone with hidden feedback avoid!

2. Check the location and determine whether there are any issues with you getting your money back if it all goes "tits-up". China is a long way away....!

3. Check the item description is full, complete and factual (no bullsh*t!, i.e. " it's the best guitar I own"- why are they selling it then?).

4. Don't rush into it. There are plenty more (generally!). E-mail the seller like mad. I do it all the time. If they lose their temper with me asking questions, why would I want to buy from them and what have they to hide?

5. Ask if you can pick it up. If it's a fraud, they'll try to make some excuse (see my other thread). I've avoided many scams with this ruse. Give it a try, you meet some cool folks as well.

6. Don't let bidding fever get you. We've all seen examples of crap making large amounts of cash because a couple of bidders got carried away. Don't let it be you.

7. NEVER EVER overide your gut feeling. If it feels wrong, don't bother.

These are just a few of my tips....Any more.

[HolyGrail]

ptate
Some good info there !

If you receive a Second Chance Offer on an Item that you didn't win.
Click on " My Ebay "at the top of any Ebay Page. ( If you're signed in )
If it's genuine. You'll see the offer there. Then you'll know it's real.
You'll also see that it's usually for a 24 hour period of time.

[ptate]

Cheers Grail.....Nice one,

Just one other that came to light when I quizzed the 'Bay.

If you've won an item (don't pay straight away!!!!!!!), click on the "advanced search" facility at the top right.

It will allow you to find the personal details, recorded with Fleabay (it's not always on the sellers note later), of the seller/buyer.

I used this to discover that one of the auctions I'd won (before I'd actually paid- phew) was fraudulent. Got the person's details, rang the registered telephone number (mobile!)- unrecognised.!

Informed Fleabay accordingly and backed out of any further dealings.

[Alex]

Thanks for the tips, ptate!! Thread is now sticky.

[Mike60]

Originally Posted by HolyGrail

ptate
Some good info there !

If you receive a Second Chance Offer on an Item that you didn't win.
Click on " My Ebay "at the top of any Ebay Page. ( If you're signed in )
If it's genuine. You'll see the offer there. Then you'll know it's real.
You'll also see that it's usually for a 24 hour period of time.

...not a sure fired check...I've had several fake 2nd chance offers come through my messages on ebay...

[HolyGrail]

Originally Posted by Mike60

...not a sure fired check...I've had several fake 2nd chance offers come through my messages on ebay...

There is a Second chance offer section.
Items I Didn't Win (6 items)
Customize Display
Show:
All | Second Chance Offers (0)

[Mike60]

...yes,there is...and I've had a couple come through there as well...on items I did not bid on...

[HolyGrail]

Originally Posted by Mike60

...yes,there is...and I've had a couple come through there as well...on items I did not bid on...

Maybe hacked accounts . I'll have to check into that .

[Mike60]

...that's what I was thinking ,hijacked accounts...

[cherrySunburst]

be wary of sellers that say

1) selling for a friend
2) they know nothing about guitars


both of these 'denial of knowledge' positions allow sellers to not mention warped necks, broken truss rod tips, repaired headstocks, complete rewires etc.

Yes sometimes they really are just selling for a friend, or know nothing, but you really have to be careful and get detailed pics if this is the case

[cherrySunburst]

and also, if they claim to know nothing, make sure they know how to pack a guitar. I have received broken guitars placed loose in those thin card cartons that offer no protection whatsoever. honestly, you wouldn't beleive it until you saw it. Write an essay on how to package the guitar if you have to - or offer to pay extra for them to buy a gig bag ....... to put it in before boxing up

[ptate]

Originally Posted by cherrySunburst

be wary of sellers that say

1) selling for a friend
2) they know nothing about guitars


both of these 'denial of knowledge' positions allow sellers to not mention warped necks, broken truss rod tips, repaired headstocks, complete rewires etc.

Yes sometimes they really are just selling for a friend, or know nothing, but you really have to be careful and get detailed pics if this is the case

+1. Good tips.

If they claim that they do not have access to a camera (I've had that one!), or their friend took the pics, or they can't get access to the item ................Run.....!!!!!

[GuitarGal]

Originally Posted by cherrySunburst

be wary of sellers that say

1) selling for a friend
2) they know nothing about guitars


both of these 'denial of knowledge' positions allow sellers to not mention warped necks, broken truss rod tips, repaired headstocks, complete rewires etc.

Yes sometimes they really are just selling for a friend, or know nothing, but you really have to be careful and get detailed pics if this is the case

good tips~

[Mike60]

...be careful of the Paypal scams...I usually get a couple a week...

[Mike60]

...be careful of auctions with shitty photos or auctions which do not show detail shots like serial numbers,fretboards,etc....if in doubt ask for more detailed photos or close-ups from the seller...a reputable seller will in most cases provide you with them...if not then pass on the item...

[FLICKOFLASH]

Originally Posted by Mike60

...be careful of auctions with shitty photos or auctions which do not show detail shots like serial numbers,fretboards,etc....if in doubt ask for more detailed photos or close-ups from the seller...a reputable seller will in most cases provide you with them...if not then pass on the item...

Those auctions can be treasures too I got a 52 LP stripped & lightly sunburst no parts & headstock vineer & logo removed < Headline Read Not A Gibson . $189.00 4 years ago

[Mike60]

...yes they can be...I just grabbed a nice set of 1960 reflectors last night on fleabay...

[Mike60]

.

[BCRGreg]

If they don't answer questions, they are not to be trusted.

[FLICKOFLASH]

http://offer.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.d...ction.additem=

[GuitarGal]

Originally Posted by BCRGreg

If they don't answer questions, they are not to be trusted.

Bingo~

[Kramble]

If in doubt ask for a picture of the serial with seller ID / driving license card.
That eliminates scammers selling with pictures of guitars they don't have in hands

For expensive gear ALWAYS verify the identity of the seller (name adress phone) before paying. Expensive is the amount you can't afford to lose.

For guitars ALWAYS ask if he knows how to pack (sending a LP tuned is a BAD thing).

[lp junior freak]

now kramble i have a ? why is sending it tuned bad. just wondering if i sell

[Kramble]

tuned=string pressure=broken head because weak point of a LP.
You must loosen the strings before packing to reduce pressure.

[TxMack]

Okay...this goes back into the 'if they don't answer questions'.
I put all the info a person needs to figure out the shipping...but I do not have time to get a shipping quote for everyone that asks. Now I don't mean when it's asked with other serious questions, but Do you guys answer every 'how much to Peoria' you get?

[theworrierpoet]

I'm from the UK and I was looking at some Gibsons on the American Ebay site. Anyone know the score regarding importing them (they would be second hand)

[loneguitar]

I always check with paypal and ebay to ensure it's them if I suspect it's not you write to spoof@ebay,com or the same with paypal, thanks for the tips all