how safe is e-bay?
- Thread starter cuegirl
- Start date
Proficient Billiards offers escrow service
The above may work and I have bought and sold over $10K worth of cues. I have heard alot of horror stories lately.
Proficient Billiards offers an escrow service. I plan on using if I spend any larger amount on cues.
Regards
Ken
sizl said:Yes, Hang out right here until you find a cue that you like. Their is alot of reputable cue dealers as well as alot of trustworthy members on this forum that will make it as painless as possible
The above may work and I have bought and sold over $10K worth of cues. I have heard alot of horror stories lately.
Proficient Billiards offers an escrow service. I plan on using if I spend any larger amount on cues.
Regards
Ken
Keep in mind that if a fraud has been committed AND the post office was used (mailing a letter or package), then a federal offense has been committed. At that point you would contact the U.S. Postal Inspector's office to file a formal complaint. Afterwards the inspectors appear with badge and firearm on the perp's doorstep.
That said, I'd recommend ebay but avoid purchasing laptops and used cameras from there as most of those sellers are located in Eastern Europe and other faraway places where getting a refund would be next to impossible.
That said, I'd recommend ebay but avoid purchasing laptops and used cameras from there as most of those sellers are located in Eastern Europe and other faraway places where getting a refund would be next to impossible.
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cuegirl said:
if they didnt have 100% rating i wouldnt bother unless they are willing to send it c.o.d. or escrow it. theres alot of good sellers on there, some even from here on it , but as usual better be safe than sorry, it always seems a few try to mess up a good thing.
cuegirl said:
Each seller is like a diferent business entity. Generally, if it seems like they are knowlegable and they have a good deal of positive feedback, you will have a positive experience.
I've bought and sold a lot of cues on E-Bay, and for the most part it's been the way it was supposed to be. There are many good values. I've had better experiences and much better deals on E-bay than I've had with so-caled "reputable" dealers.
Chris
Ebay
5 YEARS OF DEALINGS WITH CUES ON EBAY AND 218 FEEDBACKS AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM,YOU JUST HAVE TO DO YOUR HOMEWORK AND IF IT DONT SEEM RIGHT THEN YOU DONT DO THE DEAL.AS FAR AS 100 PERCENT,THAT DONT MEAN CRAP UNLESS THEY ARE DEALING WITH EXPENSIVE CUES IF YOU ARE BUYING A EXPENSIVE CUE.I HAVE 2 NEG FEEDBACK AND THEY WERE RETALATORY ONES SO YOU ALSO HAVE TO READ THOSE FEEDBACKS TOO.I HAVE SEEN A 10 POSTIVE FEEDBACK SELLING 5000 PLUS CUES AND WHEN CHECKING THERE FEEDBACK THEY WERE ALL ITEMS FOR LESS THAN A DOLLAR! SO ITS IMPORTANT TO READ AND IF THEY DONT SEEM WILLING TO SUPPLY ANY INFO YOU MAY ASK FOR SUCH AS A WORK NUMBER THAN GO SOME WHERE ELSE IF IT SEEMS NOT RIGHTcuegirl said:
I bought a cue this afternoon on ebay. I told myself I wasnt going to but temptation got the best of me lol. Its not an expensive one though... Ive done a fair bit of ebaying and honestly have only had one small problem and was able to get it taken care of without too much hassle.
I've bought 9 cues on eBay - new and used. The most expensive was $800, so I'm not in your league.
I look at the feedback - want 99% or better with lots of transactions - though I've bought from a 0 and 3.
Every transaction has been excellent. I had 2 with problems that were fairly resolved and still call them excellent transactions. I used PayPal to pay via chargecard, so I felt somewhat safe.
Turns out 3 of the people I dealt with post here - Cornerstone (Bill), Qnut (Chris) and RunArak (Joe). All 3 are straight-up guys.
I look at the feedback - want 99% or better with lots of transactions - though I've bought from a 0 and 3.
Every transaction has been excellent. I had 2 with problems that were fairly resolved and still call them excellent transactions. I used PayPal to pay via chargecard, so I felt somewhat safe.
Turns out 3 of the people I dealt with post here - Cornerstone (Bill), Qnut (Chris) and RunArak (Joe). All 3 are straight-up guys.
ebay
Hi cuegirl. I see that you dealt with Bill G... (a class act). I have dealt with a number of individuals at az too. Also, have bought/sold/traded a number of cues through ebay. Ebay is just another outlet for buyers & sellers. For most people times can be good & then turn bad, and then flat ugly.. so intention can certainly very, depending on personal cirmumstances. A seller may be 'feeling out the market', wanting to get a quick/fair price for his item, or just strapped to the point.. must sell it, with no reserve. So don't be afraid of ebay.. just another arena to buy & sell. As for me, I am just a small collector, with a high stress business. Cues are just 'stress relief' for me.
I probably have (currently) around 25k tied up in cues.. have had more and certainly less... just having some fun with it. Having said that, I have met some awesome people through ebay, but again, I dont buy a cue looking to move it, ie 'make money off it'.. just for my collection, and if I get 'bored with a cue' I might list it on ebay... possible trades, or even to cash out, and perhaps buy something new. Overall though, I am a 100% member, and have dealt with 100% sellers/buyers, and not afraid of 'under 100% feedback, cause such as life, there are two sides to every story. Use all of the avenues available to you, and have a lil fun, and most of all 'keep it real'.
Hope this helps in some minor way. Hope to communicate with you again.
.cuegirl said:
Hi cuegirl. I see that you dealt with Bill G... (a class act). I have dealt with a number of individuals at az too. Also, have bought/sold/traded a number of cues through ebay. Ebay is just another outlet for buyers & sellers. For most people times can be good & then turn bad, and then flat ugly.. so intention can certainly very, depending on personal cirmumstances. A seller may be 'feeling out the market', wanting to get a quick/fair price for his item, or just strapped to the point.. must sell it, with no reserve. So don't be afraid of ebay.. just another arena to buy & sell. As for me, I am just a small collector, with a high stress business. Cues are just 'stress relief' for me.
I probably have (currently) around 25k tied up in cues.. have had more and certainly less... just having some fun with it. Having said that, I have met some awesome people through ebay, but again, I dont buy a cue looking to move it, ie 'make money off it'.. just for my collection, and if I get 'bored with a cue' I might list it on ebay... possible trades, or even to cash out, and perhaps buy something new. Overall though, I am a 100% member, and have dealt with 100% sellers/buyers, and not afraid of 'under 100% feedback, cause such as life, there are two sides to every story. Use all of the avenues available to you, and have a lil fun, and most of all 'keep it real'.
Hope this helps in some minor way. Hope to communicate with you again.
keepitreal said:
By the way, if you cant develop a sense of trust through email or verbal contact, wherein seller/buyer cant just move the check/cue at the same time, then dont do the deal... in other words, if you feel that you must work through 'escrow'... forget about it.. lifes just too short for me to ever mess with that. Every deal that I have ever done, was done on trust between both parties.. and may I say, I have never been burned, and those who know me, knows that I would never ever, ever never, burn anyone.. If you buy a product through one of the many honest & hard working dealers (those with web sites), probably they will want your money up front, at least until such time they know you and you develop a 'relationship'. Ebay is the same. Initially (if you are buying) you would send the money up front.. as far as the amount of money, it is relative, cause 2k might be alot of money to the buyer, just as 10k would be considered alot of money to you.. the fact is, any amount of money should be considered 'a lot of money'.. after all, any fool can make money, but it takes a wise man (or woman) to spend it properly. So, if you are afraid initially with a large dollar purchase, just do COD. If the seller wont do COD, then you would have to use your 'people skills' to decide if you can trust the seller. This is where feedback comes in handy... and furthermore, ask him or her for references (other members) and contact them for their experiences. On a personal note, I have sent thousands over a period since I was a member (3 years) and have never been screwed, blued or tatooed.. and without exception, received precisely what I expected (never one time returned a purchase).. and never one time have I ever received the money, and not shipped... and never one time, was the buyer disappointed. Having said that.. bottom line, use your people skills, go with the universal flow, and open yourself up to some exciting possibilities in whatever you endeavor to do. Remember, if you think negatively, and worry about what could happen... those things will probably happen. If you think positive and think of the great things that are going to happen.. those great things will happen. (AND STAY SMART).
See yas!
Thank You For The Kind Words
YOUR A GREAT GUY AND YOU SHOULD POST PICKS OF YOUR FINE COLLECTIONkeepitreal said:
E- Bay Is Safe If Used Right
bE CARE FUL THERE ARE PEOPLE STEALING IDENTITYS OF E-BAYERS. AND YOU WILL SEE SOMONE WITH 70 POSITIVE AND ALL THEY SELL IS CHILDRENS CLOTHES ,THEN THEY POP UP WITH A BUSHKA AT 2500 BUY IT NOW ,STAY AWAY!!!! But if they have good feedback and you can contact them it is great. if you are leary use escro thrue scott at proeficant billiards! ive sold over 200 cues on there and it has been a great venue! let me know what your e-bay name is when you get it and ill watch for ya! Billcuegirl said:
cuegirl said:
I've been lucky overall. Last cue was VERY disappointing
but not a complete rip-off. Use PAYPAL and look
over feedback very carefully. It can be mis-leading.
Also, be very careful about overseas deals.
Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it is.
You are certainly correct Bill... and as I say.. 'stay smart'... having said that about ebay, the absolute best way to purchase a cue, especially of the 'high end' variety, (for me, that would be cues over 2K) is through bona fide dealers. You are sure to get 'pristine', and especially certain to get 100% satisfaction guaranteed, wherein ebay, the seller may say that, but then perhaps squabble with you, should you desire to return it (hasen't happened to me, but I have heard some horror stories for sure). A guy like you Bill... always top of the line product, at the right price, and customer support, second to none... I know that's certainly important to me. Like me dad always said.. Son, it only costs a nickle more to go 'first class', and he also said.. 'never put all your eggs in one basket' See yas.
cornerstone said:
Back atcha Bill, ten fold. Thanks for all that you've done for me over the past couple years.. couldnt ask for a better friend in the cue community, and on a personal note, will do that dinner next time we hook up.. too bad last time, you had to hit the road en route to the west coast. Wish I could make that PA event.. course I'm always at the BCA-Vegas... maybe one year you could liven up those exhibits with a booth of your own, and grace us with your presence along with some of those awesome pieces of work....as far as posting any photo's.. maybe in the near future... but I need to add a hercek, mottey, & cantendo first. oh & of course a McWorter.. then I'll feel ok about posting my collection! God Bless and keep the faith.. hard work and honesty will always pay off.. so you should be extremely successful.
iconcuecom said:what qualifies someone as a "bonafide dealer"?
also i would have to disagree with you on "the absolute best way to purchase a cue"
cue makers stand behind their products - as long as you don't mind waiting for it to be made i would have to say buying directly from the cue maker was "the absolute best way to purchase a cue" the dealers just add another layer of profit that needs to be made!
if you strickly speaking about the secondary market than dealers can be helpful - but you have to be as careful with dealers as you are with ebay - there are some CROOKS out there
So far, I've found the opposite to be true when it comes to price. I have found that it costs me a little more to order from the cuemaker than to get a cue form a dealer. That being said, I haven't ordered from any cuemakers where the market value is above retail either.
I do agree with you though. Ordering direct from the cuemaker is a great way to get exactly what you want and you'll have something that is personal to you!
Your comments duly noted, and it just depends on how you view 'cues' and how they fit into your life. My reply was really directed to cuegirl, wherein she was concerned about buying high end cues off ebay, and as per my initial thread, you can see my views on it, but also informing her if she has good contacts, through bonafide dealers (and if you dont know them as bonafide, then there not bonafide, it is certainly the best way to go, because they have a wide variety of products to choose from, and they are working harder at it then say, I am.. and probably 'she is'.. after all, for some of these hard working individuals, this is there living, and I personally care about people too. Aside from that, a good dealer of particular cues of personal interest, will work for the buyer, hence helping himself and the buyer, and if the price is do-able and the cue is desireable, then bingo, the deal is done, with full protection. On a final note, I personally have no desire to place an order with a mfger and only wait about 5 years for it. Why do it.. too many very nice cues from all makers, available now through reputable dealers, ebay, etc. etc. When I decide to augment my collection, or move a particular cue, I am only ten fingers on the key board and a few hours away from doing so. Keep it real. Hope to chat with you again sir.