Ebay Observations Rant
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 3
From: Wildwood IL
Ebay Observations Rant
I've been buying parts on Ebay for a while now, and have had sucess in saving money and avoided deception. I watched an auction this morning where a rechrome shop will send you a 1 front or both rear warrantied (for life) rechromed, like new original bumper for 68-72 for the auction price. You send them back a usable core, or a $150. core charge will be added. The auction ended for $202.00. OK...add on a $30-$40 shipping charge for the rechrome...add another $30-$40 to send them the core. WHAT KIND OF DEAL IS THAT??? I don't know rechrome pricing...but seems like your better off just rechroming it locally.
Another thing urks me... you buy a part at substantial savings, then they hit you with "shipping and handling" charges after the auction. I paid $15.00 S&H once, and when the part arrived the shipping cost was $4.50. :mad WHAT A RACKET!!! I always bid on parts with all the vendors catalogs in front of me too, and compare prices. Most (not all) new parts on ebay I can get from the vendors cheaper...not because of the part cost...but because of the profit made on shipping/HANDLING charges.
KNOCK ON WOOD :smash: I haven't been screw'd over yet...and I stress YET!! :skep: :skep: :skep:
Eddie
Another thing urks me... you buy a part at substantial savings, then they hit you with "shipping and handling" charges after the auction. I paid $15.00 S&H once, and when the part arrived the shipping cost was $4.50. :mad WHAT A RACKET!!! I always bid on parts with all the vendors catalogs in front of me too, and compare prices. Most (not all) new parts on ebay I can get from the vendors cheaper...not because of the part cost...but because of the profit made on shipping/HANDLING charges.
KNOCK ON WOOD :smash: I haven't been screw'd over yet...and I stress YET!! :skep: :skep: :skep:
Eddie
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 18,126
Likes: 174
From: WI
Re: Ebay Observations Rant (Silvr77)
Ed,
Take a breath......... You are 100% right BUT believe it or not there are (Corvette) people who are lazy or don`t have the time to search out a part or they can afford it and just don`t care. Any chance you saw "Barrett-Jackson" on speedvision?? MANY cars went for "stupid money" to STUPID PEOPLE who just don`t care. :banghead: ...redvetracr
Take a breath......... You are 100% right BUT believe it or not there are (Corvette) people who are lazy or don`t have the time to search out a part or they can afford it and just don`t care. Any chance you saw "Barrett-Jackson" on speedvision?? MANY cars went for "stupid money" to STUPID PEOPLE who just don`t care. :banghead: ...redvetracr
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,689
Likes: 0
From: Lawrenceville GA
Re: Ebay Observations Rant (Silvr77)
You are absolutely correct. EBay is no longer what it once was. It is very difficult to find a REALLY good deal out there anymore. At most, you may find a deal that equates to about 10% off, but then you incur the cost anyways because of shipping and handling.
EBay was good when you could find real bargains.
EBay was good when you could find real bargains.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 1
From: Elkhorn WI
Re: Ebay Observations Rant (Silvr77)
I hear you......I have one gripe with the magazine shippers also, Ecklers' don't tell you how much shipping is....and they have socked me with $40-50 more than once....I am not in the midwest, for crying out loud, not Alaska or someplace hard to ship to....... :smash: I now will only get something from them that absolutely no one else makes or can acquire........which means I have yet to return there. I called and spoke to a manager about the issue....nothing came of it.....(I had spent a lot of money with them, it now goes to others)
Pro
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 737
Likes: 0
From: Windsor Ontario
Re: Ebay Observations Rant (Silvr77)
Shipping costs from Canada seem to be very very high. People seem to get a little ticked when they get a price of $15-20 to ship an 8 pound item by UPS. We can't benefit from USPS (for obvious reasons), and I've lost alot of sales due to the shipping costs. I always email the winner the quote from UPS, and tell them that I will even go down to UPS to firm up the quote.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 3
From: Wildwood IL
Re: Ebay Observations Rant (RCB69L36)
You are absolutely correct. EBay is no longer what it once was. It is very difficult to find a REALLY good deal out there anymore. At most, you may find a deal that equates to about 10% off, but then you incur the cost anyways because of shipping and handling.
EBay was good when you could find real bargains.
EBay was good when you could find real bargains.
Eddie
[Modified by Silvr77, 9:00 AM 3/13/2003]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 33
From: Eagleville PA
Re: Ebay Observations Rant (Silvr77)
Anytime I've ever sold something on ebay, I've always said "winning bidder pays Actual Shipping Cost" from my location to yours.
At most, I've charged $2 extra for shipping materials.
Profit on Shipping & Handling is out of hand!
At most, I've charged $2 extra for shipping materials.
Profit on Shipping & Handling is out of hand!
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,804
Likes: 0
From: Gettin crazy with the Cheez Whiz! OK
Re: Ebay Observations Rant (gliot1)
I've learned it they don't note the shipping up front then send them an email asking for it. If they won't quote...move on.
Good policy, one I use myself.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 1
From: Deep in the Heart of Dixie Alabama
Re: Ebay Observations Rant (Silvr77)
I guess when UPS and the Postal Service starts giving free delivery, then nobody will charge shipping.
I can not remember for a long time shipping anything with UPS for less
than $ 10.00, and by the time you drive and use gas and spend 45 minutes
of your time, with boxes and tape.
I think $15.00 is always a fair price, and more if it is a heavy part.
I can not remember for a long time shipping anything with UPS for less
than $ 10.00, and by the time you drive and use gas and spend 45 minutes
of your time, with boxes and tape.
I think $15.00 is always a fair price, and more if it is a heavy part.
Pro
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 737
Likes: 0
From: Windsor Ontario
Re: Ebay Observations Rant (bamavettes)
bamavettes,
I get people haggling over the prices when I ship all the time. I'm at the mercy of the shipping company though. If they want to take the time and drive 8-10 hours to pick up the part to save shipping, I am open to it! I just sent a shipping quote on the 2 lower door trim pieces for door panels (the metal ones) and the shipping came to $15.00. He thought that was too high!
I get people haggling over the prices when I ship all the time. I'm at the mercy of the shipping company though. If they want to take the time and drive 8-10 hours to pick up the part to save shipping, I am open to it! I just sent a shipping quote on the 2 lower door trim pieces for door panels (the metal ones) and the shipping came to $15.00. He thought that was too high!
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From: Niagara Falls Ontario
Re: Ebay Observations Rant (dukvet76)
HIall ,i ordered two 454 hood emblems for the car a few years ago the cast was $31 US , but when they arrived at my door the cost with shipping ,tax, duety,customs handling charge ( witch i don,t understand),exchangewas $123.23 canadian. They were shipped ups, my wife almost had a heart attack but they were a birthday present from her to me . I am a little worried about ordering anything else from the states. Dave :auto:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,609
Likes: 12
From: Massapequa Park NY
Re: Ebay Observations Rant (Silvr77)
I do the same - bid with the catalog prices in front of me. Generally will only pay 50% or so of the cost new, including shipping, otherwise it's not worth it. I've gotten some great deals, and only gotten screwed once, mostly my fault for not being more careful. Recently had a seller refund the full purchase price & shipping on a speedometer (his offer too ) because it broke in shipping, didn't want it back either.
Just have to scrutenize carefully, and ask questions.
Just have to scrutenize carefully, and ask questions.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 667
Likes: 3
From: College Station TX
Re: Ebay Observations Rant (Silvr77)
Just a decenting thought ... rechroming bumbers is VERY expensive - so this might NOT be a bad deal. I think local ( No. Illinois ) rechroming is about 750.00 for the 3 pieces, so figuring half that is still way more expensive that 202.00
Just a thought ...
[Modified by sray454, 4:50 PM 3/13/2003]
Just a thought ...
[Modified by sray454, 4:50 PM 3/13/2003]
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
Re: Ebay Observations Rant (gliot1)
:iagree: :iagree: :iagree: :iagree: Big Ditto's! Buyer beware, read the fine print. I predict as soon as the economy turns around, sellers won't be so hard pressed to make profit on the S&H fees.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,508
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Re: Ebay Observations Rant (Silvr77)
I dunno, I just bought some brand new side pipe heat shields with hardware for $56 grand total. The same style I could find for $250 online. Not too bad.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,990
Likes: 0
From: No longer a member
Re: Ebay Observations Rant (Schmucker)
ebay is out of control, I wanted to bid on 1/8th scale model and the seller was an hour drive away, he wanted $20 to ship it the crook!
I do feel bad for guys outside the US though, I'm in the process of shipping something to the UK and for a 10lb box they want $110 :eek: and a 35lb box well over $200 :eek: :eek: those were the cheapest rates I found too.
I do feel bad for guys outside the US though, I'm in the process of shipping something to the UK and for a 10lb box they want $110 :eek: and a 35lb box well over $200 :eek: :eek: those were the cheapest rates I found too.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 397
Likes: 0
From: Morganton GA
Re: Ebay Observations Rant (Silvr77)
...I don't know rechrome pricing...but seems like your better off just rechroming it locally.
I agree that sometimes the shipping costs more than the item you get on the auctions, but that is the way it goes I guess.
MYBLU71
:jester
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 3
From: Wildwood IL
Re: Ebay Observations Rant (MYBLU71)
Eddie, a local shop in Atlanta is charging $244 each for the rears to rechrome them. Not sure of the Warranty, but I found some good "drivers" that were better than the ones I had for $50 each. If they only had to pay ~$300 for all 3 bumpers, that is a GREAT deal!!!MYBLU71:jester
So it's $600 for all three bumpers, plus $200 + in total shipping. I've seen all three brand new bumpers for under $750. Might not be GM....but I'm not concerned with NCRS. Oh well.....end of rant...I feel better today after a few cocktails and some tail. :cheers: ;) :eek: :D