Ten Reasons You Should Not Buy Things from EBay
The Hidden Dangers of EBay
There are many reasons to buy stuff off of eBay. But have you ever considered the reasons not too? If you've only thought of the good, believe me, you are not alone. These are the ten reasons not to buy things from eBay.
One: Often times, the item is not accurately portrayed in the picture. The item may have flaws that may be hidden or disguised in the photo. Also, often the picture is a stock picture and the seller simply describes the differences from the stock and the actual item for sale.
Two: You are paying big time for the convenience of not having to leave your home. Sure, you can shop in your underwear, but is the price worth it? You're paying several dollars extra in shipping that could be saved by driving three miles to the local Wal-Mart. You also have to contend with other customers bidding on the item and driving up the price. You could end up paying ten dollars for something like a coffee mug that you could buy at the dollar store.
Three: You actually end up waiting longer to receive your item for all the time you're saving by not going to the store. You have to keep in mind both shipping time and waiting for the auction to be over before you can claim your treasure.
Four: Selection is at an all time high on eBay. However, so is similarity. If you type in 'blue shirt,' you might get ten thousand blue shirts. Sounds like a lot of right? But, 9500 of these are the same shirt. Some selection, huh?
Five: The chance of going to Target, buying a toaster and having it broken is much less than praying that the toaster that you purchased from Jane Brick in Salt Lake City, Utah will be busted.
Six: Which bring us to the return policy. Sure eBay has a return policy, but isn't it simpler to return your broken toaster to Target than mail it across the country? Plus, you may have to prove you didn't cause the damage that broke the toaster. And eBay only helps you up to five hundred dollars.
Seven: Competition is fierce for hard to find items. You may be willing to spend five thousands dollars for a leather couch today, but how does the seller know this? Some items are equipped with 'buy it now' buttons at which, for a certain price, you can skip the bidding process. But once someone bids, that option is no longer available.
Eight: The purpose, in my opinion, of eBay, is its convenience. Find anything, anywhere in the world, in a matter of minutes, from the privacy of your own home. However, most sellers with items over a certain weight will forgo shipping and make their items pick up only. This is not only inconvenient, but only dangerous.
Nine: How do you know who to believe? Sure the listing says brand new, never been used, but after you plunk down your hard earned cash to the seller, and receive your item, who's to say it'll be new? It may be packaged in a new box, but the item inside may clearly be used. It's your word against the sellers.
Ten: Buying things from home may well be easy, but it can be awfully lonely. There's no human contact, no service with a smile. You're just another faceless person attached to a paypal account.
Please don't assume that all eBay experiences are bad. I've had both bad experiences and perfectly lovely ones that I'd be happy to share sometimes. It's just that people are sometimes only willing to see the benefits of something that they neglect to see that everything, no matter how good it seems, has a bad side.
Published by Dana Licciardello
I'm a twenty-five-year old trying to find her way. I've been in and out of college since I graduated from high school, but I keep getting too distracted to finish. Writing is one of the only things I never... View profile
Ten Reasons Why You Should Not Buy a Coffee Table from IkeaMy husband and I purchased two coffee tables from Ikea and then decided never to buy a coffee table there ever again. Here is why.
Ten Reasons Why You Should Not Buy School Supplies from Your College Boo...School supplies bought at your college bookstore are over priced, limited in selection, and often sold out.
Yankee Candle Company's Product Return PolicyAt almost 25-bucks-a-pop, Yankee Candle's are not cheap. Yet many people do not realize that Yankee Candle has a 100% satisfaction guarantee policy that allows you to exchange...
Store Return Policy Gets Stricter This ChristmasStore return policy will be stricter this Christmas as stores finish a bad year. Find out why a receipt return is more important than ever and how to make any gift return smoother.- Is a Company Legally Required to Have a Return Policy?The answer to this question might surprise you. If it does not, some of the lesser answers about whether a company is legally required to have a return policy surely will.
- Ten Reasons Why You Should Not Be an EBay Seller
- Basics of an Ebay Seller Account
- What to Beware as Buyer or Seller on Ebay Auction: For One, Check Feedback
- Rebuttal of Ten Reasons You Should Not Buy Things from EBay
- 10 Reasons Why You Should Not Buy an Xbox 360
- Ten Reasons Why You Should Not Buy the New Madden '07
- Ten Reasons Why You Should Not Buy Textbooks from Your College Bookstore
- Often, the picture shown in a listing is a stock picture of the item.
- Some items are equiped with 'buy it now' buttons, but they expire once a bid has been made.
- Most sellers with items over a certain weight, will make their items pick up only.
24 Comments
Post a CommentDude it is very nicely explained in detail. You are right, why to take risk for some comfort sitting in the home. Instead doing some hard work and getting the right item and having smile on face.
Thank you.
The publishers profile says it all – “trying to find her wayâ€, maybe she is trying to find her way into Walmart (maybe we will see her on the people of walmart).
It should be noted that this is an opinion and everyone is entitled to their opinions (we do not all have to agree!).
It is my opinion that eBay (and online outlets) are what you make of them. You have good and bad experiences with everything (just like a recent experience with my visit to our local hardware store!). I, for one, think EBay is a great way to get an awesome deal on real items. eBay has structured their site to make it easy for buyers to find the products they want from reliable sellers! They hold their sellers to standards (just like you would want them to). And overall, I think my buying experience on eBay has been better in the past year because of the changes eBay is making. They also have buyer protection, so there is almost no risk involved with buying (if you do your research before you buy.
Seriously, you're advocating Walmart over eBay. That is like comparing apples and atomic particles just because they start with the same letter of the alphabet. Seems to me Dana had to think hard to come up with these 10 flimsy reasons not to buy things from eBay. Having been both a buyer and a seller on eBay, my experience is eBay treats their buyers better than their sellers. I used to use eBay just for the hard to find things, but I've actually used it for sweeper bags, cell phone belt holders and other mundane stuff because I could get it cheaper (with the shipping cost) than I could by driving to the nearest retail store. Plus it was delivered to my door.
I've been buying all kinds of things off of ebay for years. Electronics, bike parts, books. Even using "buy it nows" I can still count on getting things cheaper than locally. Never had a problem. I prefer it. True you have to be patient, but the selection is not stringent. Chances are if the seller has over 99% and a few dozen sales under their belt, they're good.
Whoever wrote this article is an ignorant idiot. Seriously.
I love shopping on ebay. I am waiting on 11 packages.
Who the hell uses Ebay to buy something that you can buy locally for less without shipping charges?
Ebay is a place (regardless of what ebay says) to buy something that is no longer available to buy in any store at any price.
You buy collectibles, hard to find parts,rare items,vintage electronics,etc. on ebay not dollar coffee mugs.
My rule of thumb when buying on ebay:
Ask the seller questions, if I receive no response, or a short "I can't be bothered type" response or a shitty response then I don't buy from that seller,period.
No offence, but this article is full of crap; eBay shows the feedback from buyers about the seller, as-long as you can read YOU WILL BE FINE. also you can request a refund from the seller (they will oblige in fear of getting negative feedback from you) or from paypall. I have bought over 50 items on eBay, saved hundreds and only had one negative experience where they sent the wrong item (I got a refund and got to keep the item).
Another solid reason to shop elsewhere is the outrageous seller fees and paypal fees. These are included in that bargain price you're paying for that genuine knockoff. Ebay gouges the seller on fees and the seller passes them right along to the customer.
Dear Author,
1.With eBay's auction system you can find items for up to 50% off even with shipping costs which can save you hundreds a year.
2.You can narrow your search options by typing in more then just "blue shirt" like "blue dragon shirt" so you don't receive "9500 hits".
3. Pointing out question 9 there is a feedback system on eBay. If you purchase from anyone with over a 1000 feedback and 99% satisfaction rating or higher you are sure to get the item in the condition it is posted in.
I have found your article to be a misguided attack on eBay.