Ebay...enlighten me

[MuGGzy]

I see every ref to Ebay being very negative and implied that no one should buy anything from ebay. Other than the obvious benefit of supporting local retailers, can someone explain to me what the actual problem is with buying stuff from ebay if it's not avail locally and it's a known name brand and not some knock off crap from HK?

[Android]

The only people I buy from eBay these days are stores. I've been burned before from individual sellers (Non-Airsoft) but retailers were a lot easier to deal with when it comes to customer service.

[PanzerFaust]

I have never had an issue buying from ebay. It's a great source for stuff that isn't available anywhere else.

[Jester316]

People will try to shazaam you over on ebay. Not everyone, but there are the assholes out there who like to screw everything up for everyone...


Example:
http://www.airsoftpacific.com/viewtopic ... 83&start=0

[Moparspanky]

What I've found, for available items like airsoft, is:
1. Ebay is not much better of a deal
2. There's virtually no customer service
Anything I've bought over Ebay that has had issues, I've gotten the run-around. I've ended up concluding that spending a bit more $ for local and getting service along with it is worth it (to me).

Of course it depends on what you're buying. New AEG? I'd go to Airsoft Outlet NW. Accessories? Ebay might be just fine.

[Mattman154]

I wish there was an option to see store listings or not, Usually the best deals (If you can find an honest seller) are from regular people just trying to get some rent money.

[Matt]

Buying from businesses and people with lots of feedback can be safe. I've bought a lot of photography gear from shops in NY on eBay. Works just fine.

Airsoft on eBay is either Hong Kong or American kids who have no idea what they have or what it's worth. If they lie about how crappy their AEG is on the AP classifieds, they'll do it on eBay too. You can usually buy direct from retailers instead, even those in HK. So I don't see a need to buy Airsoft gear on eBay unless I need something really rare and eBay is the only place to find it.

[Mattman154]

Although it is fun to find 99 cent items with free shipping and bid on it. Just the most random junk in the world.

[danneskjold]

I am an eBay Powerseller...I sell way more than I buy, but I have bought almost $2k worth of stuff in 44 items in the last 60 days on eBay (thats probably about average over time as well), and I cant think of one time that I have been burned.

[Variable]

For regular sellers, you get burned so badly on the fees and the lowballing that its impractical to sell almost anything there.

For example, trying to sell a used M4. On ebay your ad will be crowded out by the 3,000 other ads for M4s put there by retailers. The only people that will bid on your item are people that are looking for a really cheap buy.

[danneskjold]

You get burned on the fees regardless of who you are

[Deathlycobra]

Buying from businesses and people with lots of feedback can be safe. I've bought a lot of photography gear from shops in NY on eBay. Works just fine.

Airsoft on eBay is either Hong Kong or American kids who have no idea what they have or what it's worth. If they lie about how crappy their AEG is on the AP classifieds, they'll do it on eBay too. You can usually buy direct from retailers instead, even those in HK. So I don't see a need to buy Airsoft gear on eBay unless I need something really rare and eBay is the only place to find it.

I didn't lie about my AEG when I put it up on the classified >_<

ANYWAYS,

I haven't from a non-store user, but they always seem fine... Though really long shipping time.