Evil-Bay

462

California's Central Coast Amid The Insanity
Ever try to close a PayPal account?
I closed mine by it was not easy. Can't remember all the details, because it was so long ago, but do recall they wanted to charge a fee. A fee to close an account? I ain't that dumb . . .
 

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Yep, I just closed the bank account associated with PayPal. Problem solved.
My Credit Union set up a blind account for me in 1997 just for PayPal. In those days they were not linked to a credit card, but a brick and stone bank. When the PayPal account was hacked, they could only go down to $0 and it dead ended. Never kept more than a couple of hundred in the PayPal account and about that much in the bank account. Never lost any money from the bank account.

You have the PayPal account linked to that email address forever. The only way out to delete the credit card or close the bank account. PayPal is linked to that email forever.
 

462

California's Central Coast Amid The Insanity
The e-mail address that PayPal was linked to has not been used since. Some things and some people are not worth the frustration.
 

JustJim

Well-Known Member
I've bought a fair amount on ebay, haven't sold anything. When I sell stuff, it is usually gun-related or outdoor-related books, guns or parts, tooling, etc. It is usually easier/quicker to sell or trade with the people I "know" on the forums, or sometimes, give it away or trash it.

I'm better off avoiding ebay, but sometimes it is the most-cost-effective way to find parts etc that I need (for 1903 Springfield or my beloved trapdoors, for example).
 

Bret4207

At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
Does anyone here buy using E-bay?
Saw something I would like to have but have never bought anything
using them.
Have heard all kinds of horror stories so wondering.

Jim
I've been using Ebay since the late 90's, about '97 IIRC. I've never really been burned. I did have to create a ruckus a time or 2 but that taught me to look at feedback ratings on sellers and to see just where they are located. I've accidentally bought from China a time or 2, but that was my fault. I've also purposely bought from China on some items because they're made there and it's 10% of the price of a US sellers. Same for India, they make a lot of stuff there, but you have to watch the feedback rating. Get a Paypal account as was suggested. Quite secure, gives you a paper trail, etc.

OTOH, I never, ever buy from Amazon unless there is no other choice. I use Amazon to find part#'s, then O search Ebay for the item and almost always find it for much less. Obfuscation seems to be the norm with Amazon- you don't know who you're buying from, what you're really getting and if any of the reviews are legit. I don't trust them at all.
 

Gary

SE Kansas
I've used Ebay extensively in the past, not so much now. The last (3) purchases off the bay were sellers that I COULD NOT identify; they are like identity protected by ebay. Makes it almost impossible to make contact with the seller if the transaction goes south. AND in each case, Paypal WOULD NOT assist stating it's a ebay problem and Ebay saying contact Paypal. Finally got my money back on the last one after over 3 months of hassle. So my advice would be "buyer beware".
 
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JonB

Halcyon member
Does anyone here buy using E-bay?
Saw something I would like to have but have never bought anything
using them.
Have heard all kinds of horror stories so wondering.

Jim
Yes, I buy quite a bit of stuff. From vintage "Tonka" toy trucks to new Headlight assy's from my '05 Toyota.
Researching the seller and the Item (if new production) is key to success.
 

Mitty38

Well-Known Member
I had an issue where someone had gotten hold of of my Ebay info, and was using my pay pal account to buy stuff on Ebay.
I check that stuff regularly, so caught it. Emailed Pay Pal. They called me back per the phone number I gave them immediately. Upon my verbal request.
While talking to a real person, shut down both my Pay Pal and my Ebay accounts.
They also canceled all bids the thief made, but one, and they covered that.
I have a code somewhere to reopen my ebay with my old rating - name, if I want to. But the pay pal, I will have to start from scratch.
Now that they process credit cards and take non member purchases, I no longer have a need to "join back up"
 
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Jeff H

NW Ohio
I've used eBay a few times a year for a long time. I stopped selling but will buy things I can't find anywhere else. I did like @RicinYakima did with the bank account and only keep enough in it to keep it open. Then, I transfer money into it when I get the bill - minutes before I pay the bill.

Funny thing is that I only recently got taken. Stupidest thing - I have several jackets ("sport coats"?) I wear at school - all nicer than I could afford, but I got them at Goodwill for less than it cost to have them cleaned. Regular hangers mess up the shoulders, so I wanted some better wooden hangers. Looked and looked.....

FINALLY, found some on eBay and ordered them, got a shipping notification and the first leg of the tracking from USPS. Then,..... nothing. Well, that's EXACTLY how USPS has been working for the past year, but I went to contact the seller anyway and that seller did not exist anymore!

I contacted eBay via their dispute process (easy) and was informed "it woiuld be a few weeks and then,... and then,...." but in a couiple days, I got an e-mail saying I'd get a refund because there was no "real" tracking info., which was werid, because the notification took me right to USPS's site. All the same, I was shocked at how fast they were to put the brakes on that transaction and refund my money. NO hassles for me - they handle the phantom seller or suck it up - but either way, it was no trouble for me other than submitting the complaint.

There are things I don't like about eBay and PayPal, but sometimes, there's just no other way to get some things.

Now, Amazon? I won't even start on that mess. I despise that company more than any I can think of.
 

L Ross

Well-Known Member
Frankly, I like E-Bay. I never ever bid on anything. I use Buy It Now and a P Pal account. Just the other day I needed a new grate for the bottom of my Wonder Wood stove. A quick online search got me a part number. I found a range of people happy to sell me a new grate prices ranged from 75 to 123 bucks. Heck, even Home Depot had the parts. But a reseller on E-Bay had it the cheapest, with free shipping, in the original factory packaging and it got here in less than a week. Perfect! It hardly bothers me at all that I only paid 50 bucks for the whole darned stove 18 years ago.
 

Dusty Bannister

Well-Known Member
Jeff, I know you want the wooden hangers, but you might consider suing the foam insulating tubes for water pipes. They are already partly slit so you can cut the tube a little longer than needed to cover the top of the hanger. Pierce a slit for the hanger hook, and use wide tape to keep the tube in place on the hanger. More flex than wood and will not leave a mark in the shoulder area. You can add length to the tube if you have broad shoulders.

Is this drift enough?
 

CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
My problem lately is this china crap. Used to be able to select "USA ONLY" or "NORTH AMERICA ONLY". Now they list a place within the states but when ya buy you bet a recipt back from Pmt direct from CHINA!!! GRRR :angry: REALLY POS ME and I will cancel/complain straight off. Most I get refunded quick sometimes its a week. Nothing ya can really do but altho we want the best price this brings largest chance if china crap.
CW
 

glassparman

"OK, OK, I'm going as fast as I don't want to go!"
CW, you and me both brother! Some of them have clearing houses in the US that it goes through to try and fool you even more.

My biggest gripe is the people selling stuff they don't have. You buy it and it drop ships from another location. This is not accepted with fleabay unless it is their facility or they have an exclusive with the distributor. Most of the time they just reply back and say "Oh, sorry it is out of stock and we will be delayed". I say, no, give me my money back!
 

JonB

Halcyon member
Jeff, I know you want the wooden hangers, but you might consider suing the foam insulating tubes for water pipes. They are already partly slit so you can cut the tube a little longer than needed to cover the top of the hanger. Pierce a slit for the hanger hook, and use wide tape to keep the tube in place on the hanger. More flex than wood and will not leave a mark in the shoulder area. You can add length to the tube if you have broad shoulders.

Is this drift enough?
I have a little wind to drift this a bit more...

I have sold one thing on fleabay, a used toothbrush for $35, :D Honestly!
Back in the 90s, a girlfriend got me to use this one brand of rechargeable toothbrush, I don't recall the brand?
Many years later, I learned these had a cult following and there were not made anymore. The replacement heads were priced stupidly on fleabay, like $75 for a 3 pak. So I list what I have auction style. Included were a 3 pak NOS replacement brush heads and two charging stations and two power heads (one was shot-battery wouldn't take a charge, the other nearly shot), I guess they can be rebuilt with new battery cell which aren't easily replaceable...it takes some soldering "after" you cut the sealed case apart, then epoxy the finished/updated powerhead back together. The person that bought it, said to only ship the brushheads and throw away everything else.
 
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Mitty38

Well-Known Member
I have a little wind to drift this a bit more...

I have sold one thing on fleabay, a used toothbrush for $35, :D Honestly!
Back in the 90s, a girlfriend got me to use this one brand of rechargeable toothbrush, I don't recall the brand?
Many years later, I learned these had a cult following and there were not made anymore. The replacement heads were priced stupidly on fleabay, like $75 for a 3 pak. So I list what I have auction style. Included were a 3 pak NOS replacement brush heads and two charging stations and two power heads (one was shot-battery wouldn't take a charge, the other nearly shot), I guess they can be rebuilt with new battery cell which aren't easily replaceable...it takes some soldering "after" you cut the sealed case apart, then epoxy the finished/updated powerhead back together. The person that bought it, said to only ship the brushheads and throw away everything else.
My uncle was in a Very little known blue grass - folk band called the Decker Brothers.
My aunt swore his mandoliins were haunted so she gave both of them to me.
The flat bottom was in really bad shape. So I put it on eBay with an autographed pick of him holding it. Stated that it was probably not repairable and told of my aunt's Haunted concerns and her hearing it playing itself in the attic.
Put it on dollar auction. Thing sold for 250$ plus shipping.
Gave the money to my aunt.
Must have made my uncle happy because the tatter bug mandolin, I kept, only plays when I play it. Or should I say makes noise when I try to play it.
L. O L
 
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CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
Years ago I put a H&R 45/70 barrel in ebay.
You could buy them brand new fitted to your gun for about 160-175 with shipping.

I started it @ 99$ and waited. That barrel went to 325$!!!!! Then buyer renegged calling me a scammmer and other bad things as well as what was wrong with ebay and refused to pay. He even Sick eBay on me as a problem and EBAY SIDED WITH HIM!!!
I relisted and it sold for about 275$
There are more then a few scams. I think all know to look at the shipping cost. Dont nickel and dime the seller. But when its obvious they are attempting to make up for a very low selling price. Walk away.

Look at there pst sales as well as there tenure and averages. Many good folks there far more then bad ones. I have been on since 1998 iirc. Only one asshat gave me a negative. I sold him a BRAND NEW primary arms 3x Prism scope. I bought a bad one returned it they sent me this one. I took it outta the box looked thru it and set it on the shelf for a couple years. Never used it so I posted it for sale. 50$ start. New unused. It sold for about 100$ (less then my cost) Kid in Texas bought made the most outlandish claims. I told him if it dosent work return it to Primary arms they made it. OMG for MONTHS he ravaged me with comments on anything I listed of coarse he gave me a negative even tho I had done nothing. His attitude & behavior stopped me from careing but OMG some peoples children!!!


I had another scammer tell Me he never got the knife I sent. Made many outlandish claims finally resorting to threats then he said "you dont even use your real name on the return address"! Well I said how would you know if you hadent received the pkg!
I went to my local
Postmaster with a recorded conversation and all information as he was seeking the mails $$ for lost pkg. She was very anxious for the information. I never herd a peep after that. OOH, he gave me positive feed back before he started to tell me the box never arrived!!! Too much!
CW
 

358156 hp

At large, whereabouts unknown.
I recently bought a used impulse sealer for plastic bags on ebay. It had all the features I wanted and the price was right. The condition was listed as "New", very slightly used. That's not what I received. The sealer was missing parts that were shown in the auction pics, and showed signs of very heavy, long-term use. I decided I needed to return it, the item just wasn't in the condition listed. I contacted the seller, and we talked nicely about it back and forth for a few days, and I asked him to send me a call tag and refund my auction price, plus what I paid for shipping. No response for a few days, then I received notice that he had refunded my entire auction amount. He sent me a brief message asking me to keep the sealer as an apology for it not living up to his billing.

I'm uncomfortable with that sort of thing, and I replied to him offering to pay return shipping. I was kind of feeling like a scammer somehow, even though I hadn't done anything wrong. I received no response, and after a week or so I ordered the parts necessary to bring the sealer up to the condition I originally expected. The parts totaled almost the original price of the sealer itself, but it'll work properly, and I really need one. I'm still puzzled about his decision, but it appears that he realized that the repairs exceeded the value of repairs, and did this to cut his losses.

I left him excellent feedback, but with a slight "ding" for the condition not being as advertised. I never heard from him again, and am satisfied, but a bit puzzled by the outcome. There are some decent people on ebay.
 

rodmkr

Temecula California
Received the part yesterday.
Now sweat out the credit card charges.
Last time I used it on the internet someone tried to buy a computer with it.
So am always apprehensive about using it.

Jim