Hints for buying Cues on Ebay

[Jeff]

I thought this might be interesting, and helpful at the same time.

Do's and don'ts for buying cues on ebay.

I'll throw the first one out there.............

ASK QUESTIONS

Go into detail with your questions. Don't be afraid to ask about the most obvious things.

An example: I was looking at a cue on ebay and the ad says there was "a small roll-out". A lot of people might assume this meant the shaft had a taper roll and not ask.

I asked specific questions and turns out the "roll-out" was the joint on the butt. He said eventually, after several back and forth messages, admitted the joint lifted off the table when rolled.

So "ask questions", and if you don't get the answer you're looking for (or no answer at all), forget about it.

 

[geocheren]

Be very cautious when the seller has 0 feedback and uses production pictures. If they really have the cue, request for actual pictures, not production ones. Accounts with 0 or negative feedback are likely to be scammers, even if they have original pictures, which they couldve pulled off previous auctions or forums like this one.

Also look at the account history, if the seller hasnt had a transaction in over a few years, then there is a chance that the account was hijacked.
If you also look at other items his won or sold, and they seem to be billiards related, ie pool cues, tips, books, tools, etc, then they are likely to be more knowledgeable about cues.

Another thing to ask if the seller has an account on AZ, and what their username is, that way you can verify on AZ.

And if you see a cue on ebay on a desk next to a gigantic keyboard...you should recognize it as a common fake auction.

 

[RiverRat]

I almost got taken on a Mottey cue I won the bid on a few months back. It was from a hijacked acct. Usually they've been inactive for a while. Make sure their paypal has protection up to $2000.00. ANd if they tell you their bank doesn't take paypal.......run! You can also tell them your brother, uncle, whoever lives near him and can they look or pick it up with the cash. If they're crooks you won't hear back from em.

Like Jeff said....Ask Questions.

 

[cueaddicts]

Here's the best advice. Don't.....unless you personally know the seller or the seller is legitimate and you could check references to verify that. Just like on here.

 

[jayman]

Use An Escrow Svs. On All Major Purchases!!

 

[nick serdula]

Read my mind

DON'T unless you know the seller! Or they have a reputable store on Fleabay.
Nick

 

[dave sutton]

Here's the best advice. Don't.....unless you personally know the seller or the seller is legitimate and you could check references to verify that. Just like on here.

i agree.. i sell but never buy. i usually dont buy a cue sight unseen anyway. if i cant touch it, i dont want it... simple as that

 

[8-ball Rat]

Here's the best advice. Don't.....unless you personally know the seller or the seller is legitimate and you could check references to verify that. Just like on here.

Agree 100%

Recently, I've run into two distinct problems with e-bayers that I didn't already know.

1. They pull the auction because they're not happy with what the cue is gonna sell for.

2. The cue winds up being decidedly less than advertised.

I won't buy any cues on e-bay anymore...unless I have already done deals with them, or can verify their reputation independently.

 

[dave sutton]

DON'T unless you know the seller! Or they have a reputable store on Fleabay.
Nick

i call it eGAY

 

[jayman]

i agree.. i sell but never buy. i usually dont buy a cue sight unseen anyway. if i cant touch it, i dont want it... simple as that

Well...I have purchased some absolute bargains on some real gems, that would never have come my way if I hadnt taken advantage of ebay.
But, YOU HAVE TO DO YOU'R HOMEWORK! and I have passed up lots! of suspicious auctions for items I would have liked to have otherwise.
If they wont accept an escrow service, there is about a %100 chance they are going to screw you anyway.

 

[Darth]

What do you mean by an escrow service? Where are they found and how much of a fee do they charge?

 

[rayjay]

Here's Proficient Billiards escrow service:
http://www.proficientbilliards.com/services/escrowservice.htm

 

[jayman]

What do you mean by an escrow service? Where are they found and how much of a fee do they charge?

An escrow servise, is a third party that recieves both the money, and the goods, then when all is inspected and found to be as represented and the servicer has approval from both parties, the escrowed items money/goods, are dispersed to the parties involved.
Scot sherbine of Proficient Billiards is a very well respected escrow service provider in the billiards community. and is very inexpensive when you consider how many people have literaly lost thousands of dollars by just sending the funds for very expensive items. you can find out about it here:

http://www.proficientbilliards.com/services/escrowservice.htm

 

[jayman]

What do you mean by an escrow service? Where are they found and how much of a fee do they charge?

An escrow servise, is a third party that recieves both the money, and the goods, then when all is inspected and found to be as represented and the servicer has approval from both parties, the escrowed items money/goods, are dispersed to the parties involved.
Scot sherbine of Proficient Billiards is a very well respected escrow service provider in the billiards community. and is very inexpensive when you consider how many people have literaly lost thousands of dollars by just sending the funds for very expensive items. you can find out about it here:

http://www.proficientbilliards.com/services/escrowservice.htm

 

[jayman]

What do you mean by an escrow service? Where are they found and how much of a fee do they charge?

An escrow servise, is a third party that recieves both the money, and the goods, then when all is inspected and found to be as represented and the servicer has approval from both parties, the escrowed items money/goods, are dispersed to the parties involved.
Scot sherbine of Proficient Billiards is a very well respected escrow service provider in the billiards community. and is very inexpensive when you consider how many people have literaly lost thousands of dollars by just sending the funds for very expensive items. you can find out about it here:

http://www.proficientbilliards.com/services/escrowservice.htm


Sorry for the duplicates guys, The site did not apear to be responding, so I clicked a couple times to try to encourage it along. I didnt realize it wold post the same response repeatedly.