Is It Safe To Purchase Products @ Ebay? at DVinfo.net

Arnold Porche Villaluz · July 16th, 2003, 08:38 PM

I plan to purchase a Panasonic DVX100 w/ accesories at ebay. Since the equipments there are less expensive..
The question is.. Is it safe to purchase @ ebay?
Has anyone experience buying stuffs @ ebay?
How was the transaction?
Was it fast?
Was it in good condition?

Gints Klimanis · July 16th, 2003, 08:47 PM

Hi,

eBay is essentially a combination of your standard newspaper classified ads and web interface for mail order products.
There is no guarantee that you receive the product in the condition it was advertised, on time, or at all. You can probably forget about returning any merchandise. eBay advertises
some consumer protection, but their mechanism is essentially
your transaction history. I've been worked over on some Web/mail orders. Some products simply didn't look as good as the picture or my imagination from the textual description. Other products were simply incorrect or "damaged" in transit.

My friend purchases stuff from eBay all of the time. For about 50 transaction, I think he one problem in which he paid with a checking account transfer and never received the merchandise.
I know people have been screwed on shipping charges, so make sure you know what they are beforehand. I connected with a seller in my area but completed the product inspection and cash transfer in person.

Christopher Go · July 16th, 2003, 09:17 PM

Hey Arnold, take a look at this article about eBay written for the benefit of the DVInfo community.

Personally, I think eBay's great, at least in terms of concept. You can sell practically everything there and is useful for many people looking to upgrade equipment. In fact, I recommend getting an account if only to sell gear on those occasions that you may need to. I know I've relied on eBay to fund some of my other purchases...

As for overall reliability, you have to be smart about every transaction. If its more than $100 you need to pay attention (some would say at any amount). Get to know eBay's policies, the fees involved, and every detail of the auction you're interested in. The article linked above already has some good info in this regard.

I've ordered a lot online over the years, in the thousands practically, and I've been burned even by "reputable" vendors - not just eBay. It may happen, but the one common theme I see from my experience - barring outright, complete bad luck - is that I wasn't covering my behind properly.

Here's what I look for when I buy from an auction (or place)

Feedback rating. How did they treat past customers? What did the negative comments (if any) talk about?

Did you try emailing the seller beforehand to get an idea of how good they respond/communicate? Did you appreciate their tone, sense a willingness to help if things go awry?

If its a store that's selling on eBay, do they have a review somewhere on the 'net about their reputation? If not, are they really listed on Panasonic's or any manufacturer's website as they sometimes claim to be? (Check Panasonic's website for authorized resellers for example, they list every one).

If you're selling, set up some policies yourself from which you never waiver. Payment and/or communication within seven days after auction is completed. No pay, no say? Relist the item.

Buy the confirmation service from USPS if possible and insurance too.

As for Panasonic gear, try to go with an authorized reseller at the very least like Zotz Digital (who sells on both eBay and has their own website) or Studio Exchange (on eBay).

I see you live in Manilla. I'd be especially careful of bad deals, trying to return a bad product could prove costly.

Arnold Porche Villaluz · July 16th, 2003, 11:16 PM

Thanks for the replies. Yes I live in the Philippines, and It may be difficult if I would make transaction in the US. I guess I'll just have my aunt contact the seller and meet up personally. But if you guys know where I can purchase Panasonic DVX100 for a lower price, please inform me or tell me any websites. Thank you very much. :)

Jun Galinato · July 16th, 2003, 11:39 PM

It's really hard to trust ebay when buying an expensive equipments even a seller has been proven and has a power seller logo. Look at this seller:

http://cgi2.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAP...cuttingedge101

Christopher Go · July 16th, 2003, 11:51 PM

That's crazy! Looks like the seller made a complete 180 in personality or something - could someone have hiijacked his operation?? Then again, he could have been planning that all along... Scary.

In terms of prices, I don't think you can really cut corners that much. Check out Zotz Digital, one of the sponsers for this site for great service and fair prices.

You could always check B&H Photo in New York too although they're kinda expensive but have a huge selection of gear.

Barry Green · July 17th, 2003, 12:08 AM

This may or may not be the situation with that guy, but there is a common scam on ebay to build up a new account with a lot of "fluff" transactions... you know, buying $1 items and selling little trinkets, until you get a good strong feedback profile, and then you start selling big-ticket items. You may even deliver one or two, so people gain confidence -- and then you pounce, and list a TON of stuff, and just pocket the cash and disappear. Happens all the time, and it looks like that's what happened with this guy, but then again who knows -- he could have had a death in the family or something that just took him out of commission for a while too...

K. Forman · July 17th, 2003, 04:58 AM

I actually take the time to read the feedbacks now. I have had many transactions thru ebay, and only one delivered crap. However, you will still be taking a risk with a high dollar item.

Dennis Sladek · July 18th, 2003, 02:00 AM

NO!

It is NOT safe to purchase high dollar products on ebay. Especially something as expensive as these cameras.

And forget PayPal. They are owned by ebay. The still owe me money from last year for a failed transaction in which I never received the product. Luckily, it was less than $ 600

Stephen van Vuuren · July 18th, 2003, 09:31 AM

This is not a yes or no question.

The answer is it depends. I've sold several high dollar items on ebay and bought around 30 high and low dollar items with the only problem being a $6 CD I never got.

The only time I really got screwed was on a counterfeit cashiers check scam for an item on a local paper classified (that was posted online). So in otherwords, all sales and purchase of used equipment involve risk, and so many new items.

Do you research, trust your instints but don't live in fear. Ebay would not be around and making billions if most transactions did not work just fine.

Dennis Sladek · July 18th, 2003, 06:42 PM

Read These

http://www.paypalsucks.com/

http://www.paypalsucks.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=1604&fid=3&block=0

http://www.paypalsucks.com/forums/showthread.php?fid=14&tid=1936&old_block=0

http://www.internetnews.com/ec-news/article.php/2232421

Still feel Safe?

July 16th, 2003, 08:38 PM	#1
Arnold Porche Villaluz Tourist Join Date: May 2003 Location: Manila, Philippines Posts: 3	Is It Safe To Purchase Products @ Ebay? I plan to purchase a Panasonic DVX100 w/ accesories at ebay. Since the equipments there are less expensive.. The question is.. Is it safe to purchase @ ebay? Has anyone experience buying stuffs @ ebay? How was the transaction? Was it fast? Was it in good condition? __________________ ILLDEF Productions - www.illdef.net

July 16th, 2003, 11:16 PM	#4
Arnold Porche Villaluz Tourist Join Date: May 2003 Location: Manila, Philippines Posts: 3	Thanks for the replies. Yes I live in the Philippines, and It may be difficult if I would make transaction in the US. I guess I'll just have my aunt contact the seller and meet up personally. But if you guys know where I can purchase Panasonic DVX100 for a lower price, please inform me or tell me any websites. Thank you very much. :) __________________ ILLDEF Productions - www.illdef.net

July 16th, 2003, 11:39 PM	#5
Jun Galinato Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 231	It's really hard to trust ebay when buying an expensive equipments even a seller has been proven and has a power seller logo. Look at this seller: http://cgi2.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAP...cuttingedge101 __________________ Sony Z7U, Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 24-105 F4L, Canon 70-200 F2.8L, Canon 580 EXII, Zoom H2.

July 18th, 2003, 09:31 AM	#10
Stephen van Vuuren Space Hipster Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,508	This is not a yes or no question. The answer is it depends. I've sold several high dollar items on ebay and bought around 30 high and low dollar items with the only problem being a $6 CD I never got. The only time I really got screwed was on a counterfeit cashiers check scam for an item on a local paper classified (that was posted online). So in otherwords, all sales and purchase of used equipment involve risk, and so many new items. Do you research, trust your instints but don't live in fear. Ebay would not be around and making billions if most transactions did not work just fine. __________________ stephen v2 www.insaturnsrings.com

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July 16th, 2003, 08:47 PM	#2
Gints Klimanis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,222	Hi, eBay is essentially a combination of your standard newspaper classified ads and web interface for mail order products. There is no guarantee that you receive the product in the condition it was advertised, on time, or at all. You can probably forget about returning any merchandise. eBay advertises some consumer protection, but their mechanism is essentially your transaction history. I've been worked over on some Web/mail orders. Some products simply didn't look as good as the picture or my imagination from the textual description. Other products were simply incorrect or "damaged" in transit. My friend purchases stuff from eBay all of the time. For about 50 transaction, I think he one problem in which he paid with a checking account transfer and never received the merchandise. I know people have been screwed on shipping charges, so make sure you know what they are beforehand. I connected with a seller in my area but completed the product inspection and cash transfer in person.

July 16th, 2003, 09:17 PM	#3
Christopher Go Major Player Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 429	Hey Arnold, take a look at this article about eBay written for the benefit of the DVInfo community. Personally, I think eBay's great, at least in terms of concept. You can sell practically everything there and is useful for many people looking to upgrade equipment. In fact, I recommend getting an account if only to sell gear on those occasions that you may need to. I know I've relied on eBay to fund some of my other purchases... As for overall reliability, you have to be smart about every transaction. If its more than $100 you need to pay attention (some would say at any amount). Get to know eBay's policies, the fees involved, and every detail of the auction you're interested in. The article linked above already has some good info in this regard. I've ordered a lot online over the years, in the thousands practically, and I've been burned even by "reputable" vendors - not just eBay. It may happen, but the one common theme I see from my experience - barring outright, complete bad luck - is that I wasn't covering my behind properly. Here's what I look for when I buy from an auction (or place) Feedback rating. How did they treat past customers? What did the negative comments (if any) talk about? Did you try emailing the seller beforehand to get an idea of how good they respond/communicate? Did you appreciate their tone, sense a willingness to help if things go awry? If its a store that's selling on eBay, do they have a review somewhere on the 'net about their reputation? If not, are they really listed on Panasonic's or any manufacturer's website as they sometimes claim to be? (Check Panasonic's website for authorized resellers for example, they list every one). If you're selling, set up some policies yourself from which you never waiver. Payment and/or communication within seven days after auction is completed. No pay, no say? Relist the item. Buy the confirmation service from USPS if possible and insurance too. As for Panasonic gear, try to go with an authorized reseller at the very least like Zotz Digital (who sells on both eBay and has their own website) or Studio Exchange (on eBay). I see you live in Manilla. I'd be especially careful of bad deals, trying to return a bad product could prove costly.

July 16th, 2003, 11:51 PM	#6
Christopher Go Major Player Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 429	That's crazy! Looks like the seller made a complete 180 in personality or something - could someone have hiijacked his operation?? Then again, he could have been planning that all along... Scary. In terms of prices, I don't think you can really cut corners that much. Check out Zotz Digital, one of the sponsers for this site for great service and fair prices. You could always check B&H Photo in New York too although they're kinda expensive but have a huge selection of gear.

July 17th, 2003, 12:08 AM	#7
Barry Green Barry Wan Kenobi Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,863	This may or may not be the situation with that guy, but there is a common scam on ebay to build up a new account with a lot of "fluff" transactions... you know, buying $1 items and selling little trinkets, until you get a good strong feedback profile, and then you start selling big-ticket items. You may even deliver one or two, so people gain confidence -- and then you pounce, and list a TON of stuff, and just pocket the cash and disappear. Happens all the time, and it looks like that's what happened with this guy, but then again who knows -- he could have had a death in the family or something that just took him out of commission for a while too...

July 17th, 2003, 04:58 AM	#8
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	I actually take the time to read the feedbacks now. I have had many transactions thru ebay, and only one delivered crap. However, you will still be taking a risk with a high dollar item.

July 18th, 2003, 02:00 AM	#9
Dennis Sladek Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 40	NO! It is NOT safe to purchase high dollar products on ebay. Especially something as expensive as these cameras. And forget PayPal. They are owned by ebay. The still owe me money from last year for a failed transaction in which I never received the product. Luckily, it was less than $ 600

July 18th, 2003, 06:42 PM	#11
Dennis Sladek Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 40	Read These http://www.paypalsucks.com/ http://www.paypalsucks.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=1604&fid=3&block=0 http://www.paypalsucks.com/forums/showthread.php?fid=14&tid=1936&old_block=0 http://www.internetnews.com/ec-news/article.php/2232421 Still feel Safe?