Why are there STILL some a-holes on eBay?

[Lenz Rider]

I mentioned before, I lost my job and have been selling bikes, parts and dj equipment on eBay the past year.

Recently I sold a XC frame for $650 and put a 2016 Marzocchi Roco air shock with the moca coating (like the kashima i guess) to some guy in Redondo Beach. Everything was fine until I get a message:

"Dude, not cool. The shock doesnt hold air and has oil spewing out the valve. Would you like to go halfers on a Fox Float? I know sellers who do that so they won't have to hassle with getting the shocks rebuilt. It will be about $165. I could send the old shock back if you want."

WTF? I wrote back to him that I would rather get the shock rebuilt by Marzocchi Mark in Valencia and send it back to you. He then said the eBay return policy doesn't guarantee business like that. So I wrote, well then mail the frame back.

Well long story short, it came today. And the shock wasn't blown. I removed the shock, took out all the air about 110lbs (surprise surprise) and refilled it to about 100lbs and no leaks..... I'm an old Gen X'er. I'm not used to people writing, "Not Cool" and them being "not cool" That eBayer sucks and not cool.

 

[evdog]

People still use ebay to sell bikes? Why? Put it on Craigslist and collect cash. If buyer tries to pull that crap on you, you can tell them to pound sand.

 

[Danmtchl]

EBay can be a nightmare, plus it is basically a store now, not an auction site. Good deals are getting harder to find on there.

 

[SnakeCharmer]

Craigslist isn't half bad. That only makes it half good but at least you are dealing with local people.

 

[herzalot]

I’ve said this elsewhere recently, but I have NEVER had an issue with any Craig’s List sale. Nobody trying to scam me. No lowball shenanigans. Face to face cash deals. Usually for full asking price. In the past 6 months I sold my Tracer for $1900, a DVO fork for $275 and a set of snowboard bindings for $175. All full asking price, and all the first customer I met with. I guess I must be lucky.

 

[fos'l]

Agree with above; sold several items on Craigslist without incident. Did you try to sell it here?

 

[mtbMike]

I’ve said this elsewhere recently, but I have NEVER had an issue with any Craig’s List sale. Nobody trying to scam me. No lowball shenanigans. Face to face cash deals. Usually for full asking price. In the past 6 months I sold my Tracer for $1900, a DVO fork for $275 and a set of snowboard bindings for $175. I guess I must be lucky.

I'm about 50-50 with CL sales. 50% of the time I get full price, usually within 24 hours and the other 50% of the time I get low-balled. I price my stuff to move to start with so I don't even respond to the low-ballers.

 

[SnakeCharmer]

I've had a some pushy low-ballers on CL but I expect that going in. It's not that hard to say NO to them.

 

[Sidewalk]

I remember Varaxis got a frame with actual damage, and he couldn't get his money back after disputing it.

In the future, tell them "as is".

 

[mike]

eBay. The only place where a scratch on a frame tube actually means a crushed frame tube with a crack in it.

My second purchase: Electronic device didn't work at all, contained corrosion, obviously untested by the seller.

eBay can go mightily F itself.

 

[Mikie]

I just don't like eBay.
I have bought a couple of things and it went okay, always new items, never used. I set up a store on there to sell Tailwind and I'm not sure how my competitors made any money. Like @Danmtchl said. It's not really an auction site anymore and the sellers fees are ridiculous for a guy like me and I didn't even break even. I wrote them and told them they could Eff themselves (literally), I'm sure I will not be invited back...

I have only sold one thing on PinkBike and it went really well.
I have bought and sold a couple things on Craigslist. It went pretty well also.

 

[kazlx]

I buy and sell a lot of stuff via a bunch of different channels. I definitely prefer CL. Every now and then I get a total lowball or tire kickers, but not that big of a deal. The only ones that really irritate me are the no call/no show when I've got stuff to do and trying to make time to fit in for them so I'm available. Otherwise, it's first come, first serve, no sweat off my ass and I'm not holding anything without at least a few bucks. If you really want it that bad you can risk paypal or venmo to me for $40 so I know you want it (more expensive things).

I really only do eBay as a last resort and have got good money for things that just don't have a big enough buyer pool locally. Or it's just something I literally don't care about, I'm cleaning out, will fit in a USPS flat rate box and whatever I get, I get and goes into the slush fund for other stuff I want.

I buy and flip stuff on the regular, mainly tools.

 

[Danmtchl]

Craigslist is a hit or miss with me. Either the item sells real quick and easy or a nightmare. I have been using Facebook marketplace and have real good results with it. I have sold a few things years ago on EBay and those transactions went well. I sold a Ventana Pantera once and the guy drove up from San Diego and paid me cash. That was the best result I have with EBay. But that was years ago.

 

[kazlx]

I get way more flakes on FB. So many people use the canned response ‘is it available?’ Then never respond.