Buying a router from Ebay - fate or just bad luck?

[aesmith]

Hi,

I'm starting to think I am fated to live life without a second router for the table. (unless I do something rash like go into a shop and buy a brand new one of course).

One of my few Ebay rip-offs was a so-called Elu 177E. When it arrived it was a poor condition Elu 131 fixed speed, nothing like the photos. A long saga followed involving the seller claiming it was conveniently lost in the post on return and basically I ended up out of pocket. (I was tricked into closing the Paypal dispute, a mistake I won't make again).

Now it looks like another Ebay failure, although a Triton this time, and it looks less and less likely it will end well. At the moment the seller's not replying to my emails and it looks like it might end up as a Paypal if the router doesn't turn up soon.

Considering how much I've bought off Ebay, its a coincidence that both of these were routers. Is someone trying to tell me something?

Out of interest, I wonder how many people have had 100% success on Ebay and never ended up burned?

 

[markwuzere]

not many. i avoid buying powertools from ebay unless i have had previous experience with the seller, the few times i have risked it have usually ended it tears

 

[Dibs-h]

On the whole I try to collect or have someone collect Powertools - from individuals that is. Companies selling are usually ok.

Again it's common sense - if the lsiting is private and you can't make out from their feedback what they've been selling - I usually stay clear, unless I can collect.

 

[aesmith]

Again it's common sense - if the lsiting is private and you can't make out from their feedback what they've been selling - I usually stay clear, unless I can collect.

That's good advice. A check of feedback would have steered me away from the first guy who was clearly quite happy to rip people off.

 

[Karl]

I think I have to say something here - I am the seller of the Triton router.

There were issues relating to the payment - nothing to do with Tony, rather that the receipt for the router was slightly less than I expected, and it wasn't clear from my Paypal account whether the funds had come from Tony. I won't go into it too much as it has been going on for a good number of weeks now. Suffice to say that it made me nervous as I hadn't seen anything like it before (and i've sold and bought a good number of things off the bay before).

I didn't want to get scammed myself. I was (perhaps overly) cautious in relation to the sale, and clearly pi$$ed Tony off in the process. Apologies to Tony.

Tony - you have a PM.

Karl

 

[Dibs-h]

.....the receipt for the router was slightly less than I expected..
Karl

I've never sold stuff on the Bay - but will be doing at some time. Although I've sent and received via Paypal and they do deduct their % before putting the money in. Something like 3-4%.

 

[disco_monkey79]

I've bought 2 power tools on Ebay, and been disappointed both times. Won't be doing so again, unless I can inspect first.

 

[matt]

Never had a problem as a buyer. As a seller I had a buyer who tried to blame me when he mistook "unused" as new which was very stupid given he was buying a classic collectable Parker pen set! I offered him a full refund but never heard from him again.

 

[white_sw]

I buy and sell on eBay and have only been caught out once when buying NEW computer items from USA. Well, they were not new and didn't work anyway ! In the end I lost out because Paypal insisted I return the item tracked and insured before the dispute was settled. In the end I had to walk away with my tail between my legs and cut my losses. Last time I ever buy something costly from USA unless I know and trust the seller. Seller just ignored me, probably laughing all the way to the bank with my dollars ! Fortunatly I didn't get stung at customs too.

Another time I thought I had been caught out, but in the end got the item purchased after almost 6 weeks and a refund due to Royal Mail's screw up.

So if you look at it that way, I pretty much break even..

I've also had some great bargins too..

Sam

 

[newt]

I am a philistine never go near the place.

 

[greggy]

well guys, i have sold loads of power tools on the bay. and bught many other things too. my feedback is 136 and 100%. i have never had any issues with a seller or a buyer. i may be one of the lucky ones but i think its up to the buyer. always,,,

check their feedback
read all the feedback
look at what they sell
look at what they buy
and also see how long they have been a member.

i am writing this reply on my latest ebay buy
http://www.johnlewis.com/230664393/Prod ... m=82715397

brand new never been out of the box, security seal still attached
starting bid £350.00 no bids because it had just started. one phone call later and its in my home for £290.00

 

[MikeG.]

Out of interest, I wonder how many people have had 100% success on Ebay and never ended up burned?

Me. Four out of 4 have gone smoothly. Including a router!!

 

[Mike.C]

I think I have to say something here - I am the seller of the Triton router.

There were issues relating to the payment - nothing to do with Tony, rather that the receipt for the router was slightly less than I expected, and it wasn't clear from my Paypal account whether the funds had come from Tony. I won't go into it too much as it has been going on for a good number of weeks now. Suffice to say that it made me nervous as I hadn't seen anything like it before (and i've sold and bought a good number of things off the bay before).

I didn't want to get scammed myself. I was (perhaps overly) cautious in relation to the sale, and clearly pi$$ed Tony off in the process. Apologies to Tony.

Tony - you have a PM.

Karl

I think that Karl deserves a BIG pat on the back for having the guts for to come forward and admit he is the seller and due to being over cautious has p1ssed the buyer off. It should not only put Tony's mind at ease that he is not going to be ripped off, but also that there are genuine problems that are both out of the sellers and buyers control. =D> =D> =D>

My only problem on ebay was over a fly killer, you know one of those blue lights, which was broken when it arrived. I emailed the seller a number of times, but as it was only £7, when he never replied I just could not be bothered to chase him and so left it. Stupid I suppose as a £7 rip off could be £700 next time. :roll:

Cheers

Mike

 

[jlawrence]

I think I've only been burned once - for a dell server - which is currently going through the paypal complaint. Fingers crossed I'll get the money back.
It's the only thing I hate about paypal, it's not as straight forward as just raising a chargeback.

 

[wobblycogs]

I've never bought anything but I've sold quite a lot through the bay even though I can't stand the place. Generally people are pretty honest but there were a few buyers that would try to rip you off. The most common scam was "I never recieved it" which normally just meant a claim from Royal Mail but that gets old quickly. When you are selling low price goods it doesn't pay to send it recorded delivery.

The worst was a guy who bought an item (new), used it for a bit then claimed it didn't work and wanted a refund. When I got the piece back it was working fine but looked like it had been dragged backwards through a hedge so there was no way I could re-sell it. Wow, he called me every name under the sun when I told him I wouldn't refund with it in that condition. I ended up giving him a 75% refund and re-sold it for about 10% of what I bought it for so making a significant loss.

 

[Paul Chapman]

I am a philistine never go near the place.

Same here - I know of too many buyers who've been had. I also know of many who have had no problems but ebay is not for me.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[Lee J]

I got ripped of when I sold a car stereo on ebay. sold for £70, I posted it but instead of sending it requiring a signature I just opted for standard parcel postage which gives you a receipt. Buyer claimed it never arrived, called me a liar and said I hadn't posted it, I sent him a scan of the receipt, he reported me to Paypal, they refunded him and charged me.

So he probably got the stereo and his 70 notes back.

I know where he lives though - my day will come.

 

[aesmith]

I think that Karl deserves a BIG pat on the back for having the guts for to come forward and admit he is the seller and due to being over cautious has p1ssed the buyer off. It should not only put Tony's mind at ease that he is not going to be ripped off, but also that there are genuine problems that are both out of the sellers and buyers control.

I absolutely agree, talk about putting your head over the parapet!!!

 

[white_sw]

I think I've only been burned once - for a dell server - which is currently going through the paypal complaint. Fingers crossed I'll get the money back.
It's the only thing I hate about paypal, it's not as straight forward as just raising a chargeback.

You can always give you credit card company a bell and rase a chargeback with them. That way it is out of Paypal's hands. Have a look in the help section on Paypal.

https://www.paypal-marketing.co.uk/safe ... kGuide.htm

Sam

 

[mahking51]

Hi All,
I do a fair bit on EBay (Feedback 2100 99.9% +VE) and generally have very few problems (so far!)
I NEVER buy electrical goods of any kind, asking for trouble in my opinion.
ALWAYS check a sellers feedback in as much detail as possible.
DON'T be afraid to email or telephone before bidding, anyone who is reputable will not be afraid of contact. If they just have a mobile that makes me slightly nervous.
From a sellers POV if it is an expensive item and buyer has less than 10 feedback I always contact before end of auction to check that they are aware of costs, shipping etc and are serious about completing the sale.
I ALWAYS send stuff over £20 in value by a signed for postage method, make this clear in the listing or your T&C's if a business, if they don't like it then they should not bid!
The only trouble I have had is stuff getting 'lost' in transit - far more often than chance would dictate. Italy by far the worst offender with any eastern state a close runner up!
Depending on the item I have found it usually easier to bite the bullet and get on with things rather than chase few quid for ever.

Just my thoughts, hopefully helpful.
Cheers,
Martin