Buying on ebay

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Robinr
Posts: 155
Joined: Fri Aug 27, 2010 6:00 pm

Buying on ebay

Post by Robinr »

Dear All,

I have never used ebay for anything, but remember being suspicious of fraud when it started up, and stayed away. This morning it occurred to me that it might be a place where I could find KEVIII cylinder blocks, so I took a look.

Bottom line is that I found confusion and disappointment. From having to "join as a member" of a dealer thereby giving personal details before even seeing what was on offer, to poorly described irrelevant material.

I'd greatly appreciate any input or guidance, advice or whatever. I live in Venezuela and have no reliable postal service. And I'm very much out of touch with the stamp retail world.

If this message is out of line with the purpose of the Discussion Boards, apologies. Or if anybody with KEVIII blocks to spare/sell reads this, maybe replying direct to robinrestall@gmail.com is better?

Thanks a ton.
Robin
Mike Jackson
Site Admin
Posts: 107
Joined: Sat Oct 20, 2007 6:00 pm

Transfer from previous board: original post 1432

Post by Mike Jackson »

Robin, I don't know what you mean by having to give personal details to a dealer, this has never happened to me.

To compare notes, I took a look at KEVIII on eBay and found 125 separate cylinder blocks (all values) for sale. Is that what you found?

I would have thought that eBay would have been a valuable resource for you, living where you do; and eBay's payment arm, PayPal, a convenient and efficient way of paying (although can be expensive if you're selling).
gah
Posts: 10
Joined: Mon Oct 04, 2010 6:00 pm

Transfer from previous board: original post 1433

Post by gah »

If you join ebay you have to give name and address etc, it is a standard process that absolutely everyone that uses ebay has to go through.
Harvey
Posts: 57
Joined: Sun Nov 11, 2007 6:00 pm

Transfer from previous board: original post 1434

Post by Harvey »

There are facilities that you can use as a guest on ebay, which means you don't have to join!
gah
Posts: 10
Joined: Mon Oct 04, 2010 6:00 pm

Transfer from previous board: original post 1435

Post by gah »

You cant buy or bid as a guest though, only window shop.
Robinr
Posts: 155
Joined: Fri Aug 27, 2010 6:00 pm

Transfer from previous board: original post 1436

Post by Robinr »

Dear Mike and all who responded, both here and directly.

Living in Venezuela, Google decides what the priorities in terms of responses to searches are, and they are sometimes very different to those you get in the UK. I was wandering around ebay USA. It took me a while to realize there was an ebay.co.uk, and that is where I found exactly what Mike described. Yes, it can certainly be a valuable resource if I figure out how to use it properly.

I usually manage to muddle these things, and my first attempts at signing on certainly attested to that. But there is material that will prove useful and I'll persevere.

Thanks again, one and all.

Robin
bobphillifent
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Jun 25, 2009 6:00 pm

Transfer from previous board: original post 1437

Post by bobphillifent »

I have used e-Bay for years now and have experienced no more trouble than I would have had experienced using a "conventional" seller, face-face. In fact I have acquired numerous bargins and other items that have embelished my collection, considerably. It is true that e-Bay has changed over the years, it has become more "secretive" and too many business sellers simply use it as a dealer listing ie. BUY IT NOW.
I have purchased maerial, without bother from sellers both here in the UK. and overseas but I avoid sellers in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and East Asia, especially China, for obvious reasons!
Like any transaction you simply have to exercise reasonable caution - check out a seller's FEEDBACK, if it is dodgy then avoid! Similarly if an item looks too good and cheap to be "true" then it probably is!If you are not sure about an item then send a question to the seller, most genuine ones will be moe than happy to give you more details. My advice is simply, just try it for yourself and see, I think you will be pleasantly surprised!
Robinr
Posts: 155
Joined: Fri Aug 27, 2010 6:00 pm

Transfer from previous board: original post 1442

Post by Robinr »

Dear All,

The responses to my eBay query, both those posted here and many direct to me have been really most gratifying. Thank you all. It shows that the potential of these discussion boards to exchange news and views is as great as Mike and Maurice must have hoped at the start-up.

After getting confused by eBay USA, and having problems with registering on eBay-UK (totally my own fault) I have found it to be astonishingly easy to use. I made three buys today, and have had very helpful replies from two vendors already. I'll collect all the items when I'm in England next week, and am sure the outcome will be satisfactory.

Thanks once again. Best wishes, Robin R.
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Tony
Posts: 52
Joined: Fri Nov 09, 2012 6:00 pm
Location: Norfolk

Re: Buying on ebay

Post by Tony »

Being myself somewhat wary of registering with any commercial concern (I won't even let our local Council have my e-mail address or telephone number, as I insist on all communication between us being in writing), I found the ideal solution to purchasing items from Ebay - befriend someone who already has an account, and enlist their help ! The downside is that you have to reimburse them eventually.

On a more serious note, i would be extremely wary of purchasing any item with a description suggesting it has rarity value, such as specialised shades, without the assurance of a legitimate certificate accompanying it.

Tony


[Reference to eBay auction item removed, as auction ended - Tony 16/10/2015]
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