ebay question

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ebay question

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rogeliocan

Posts: 811
Joined: Nov. 23 2009
From: Canada

ebay question

I am wondering if there is risk buying or selling a guitar on ebay. Like what if the buyer says he received a different guitar or the seller sends a different guitar but says he did not... how woukd that get cleared up?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 25 2013 1:53:46

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: ebay question (in reply to rogeliocan)

Thats a couple of very paranoid questions.
Theoretically what you describe is possible. I could sell you a 3000,-€ guitar, and pack a Yamaha flamenco guitar and claim that it has been swapped when it was in the hands of UPS.
And you could send back a guitar doing the same.
We could then end up with lawsuits etc.
But i repeat that your questions are very paranoid and IMHO, whenever there´s something going on between human beings, words like trust and intuition are important.
personally if a client would start asking for all kinds of garanties and asking all kinds of paranoid questions etc. I would ask this client to go somewhere else and bother someone else. I have my limits and what you describe is not a very nice scenario and not a very nice energy.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 25 2013 7:30:09

gerundino63

Posts: 1743
Joined: Jul. 11 2003
From: The Netherlands

RE: ebay question (in reply to rogeliocan)

This have nothing to do with ebay.....can happen in a shop too if you do order things by mail.
If you are afraid of this, pick it up....

@Anders, that would be funny, picking out the wood, talking for 3 months about stringspace and finally send a yamaha.....

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 25 2013 8:10:41

keith

Posts: 1108
Joined: Sep. 29 2009
From: Back in Boston

RE: ebay question (in reply to rogeliocan)

rogeliocan--i am sure the scenario you described has played out numerous times at the bay. you find a lot of cheating with things such as mechanical watches; replicas, frankenwatches (watches patched together with various parts) and shipping a product in a condition not describe (e.g., the product is described as mint and arrives far less than mint). in theory such bad behavior can happen with guitars and i would bet a few folks have been victims. you see from time to time people listing a guitar for sale that others report being in their possesion or a friend's possesion and not the seller. generally the seller uses purloined photos.

there is an adage many use in the same sentence with the bay: shop the seller. one has to do diligence with major purchases and make sure there is an avenue of recourse. as described above such dishonest behavior occurs everywhere but the bay makes restitution more difficult given the nature of the bay. as to lawsuits this can be difficult for purchases for a few hundred dollars. lawyers tend to cost more than the product.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 25 2013 8:52:11

rogeliocan

Posts: 811
Joined: Nov. 23 2009
From: Canada

RE: ebay question (in reply to keith)

Thanks, I knew there is always a risk and just wanted to hear others. Last thing I want is to end up with a cheap guitar and no money, plus the headaches of the whole situation.

In terms of paranoia, depends if you got scammed in the past, if so, it is more about careful analysis of the situation and eliminating future headaches. It is the honest people that are the easiest targets, they trust that everyone else is, and sadly sometimes you learn the hard way.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 25 2013 11:10:31

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: ebay question (in reply to rogeliocan)

quote:

In terms of paranoia, depends if you got scammed in the past

In some other cultures they would tell you that if you are afraid of being cheated, you will be cheated.
I never buy expensive things on Ebay. I dont trust the way business are done.
ESPECIALLY: Never buy anything worth more than a few euros on Ebay Spain. Its full of cheaters. Spain dont have the culture for a place like Ebay (but it exists and should be closed) Lying and cheating is kind of accepted in Spain.
On the other hand, I´ve bought quite a few things on Ebay Germany and UK and I´ve never had any problems.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 25 2013 16:19:47

n85ae

Posts: 877
Joined: Sep. 7 2006

RE: ebay question (in reply to rogeliocan)

I buy stuff from Ebay all the time as it is probably the most competitive market
place, and has about the best prices on stuff. I've never been scammed on anything
I've ever bought off of it.

You could get scammed at the local guitar shop just as easily to be honest, if they
are intent on doing it.

Regards,
Jeff

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 25 2013 16:48:05

tele

Posts: 1464
Joined: Aug. 17 2012

RE: ebay question (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Anders Eliasson
Lying and cheating is kind of accepted in Spain.

Can you explain this to me as I'm in spain currently?

When it comes to ebay there is just as many(if not more) bad buyers than sellers. Paypal and ebay policies are completely for the benefit of a scamming buyer and it sucks. Otherwise I like ebay for shopping and selling

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 25 2013 18:32:45

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: ebay question (in reply to rogeliocan)

Culture is difficult to explain especially using another cultures language. Somehow, you have to live culture in order to understand it.
But spaniards are not used to buying second hand. Untill a very short time ago, it was considered poor to buy 2nd hand and this affects places like ebay. Besides, they dont have the internet culture that most of the members here have. In Spain everything to do with computers is still called "nuevas tecnologias". Sending a mail is using a new technology. And somehow they believe that you can hide on the internet and that its easy to cheat.

I agree with you when you say that there are a LOT of buyers on Ebay. I´ve had worse experiences selling than buying. Ebay is JUST about having as much money in circulation as possible.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 25 2013 19:38:22

NewPlayer

Posts: 141
Joined: Nov. 29 2012
From: San Francisco

RE: ebay question (in reply to rogeliocan)

EBAY can be quiet risky. However, they do have historical data and ratings for members that is worth looking at. If you have any doubts, stay away from EBAY. It's just not worth the anxiety that comes with it. Go with online dealers and/or directly contact luthiers.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 25 2013 19:42:31

n85ae

Posts: 877
Joined: Sep. 7 2006

RE: ebay question (in reply to rogeliocan)

Ebay is not risky in my opinion. I buy a lot of materials for various projects on Ebay.
There are MANY vendors selling products on Ebay, it's not just used stuff. The best
way to tell is to look at a sellers ratings. If they have not sold anything, or have been
ripping people off it will be reflected.

Lately I buy a lot of industrial upholstery sewing supplies on Ebay, fabric, specialty
threads, needles, etc. I have NEVER been ripped off.

Perhaps if you buy a used guitar from a first time seller this is different ...

Jeff

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 25 2013 19:50:29

rogeliocan

Posts: 811
Joined: Nov. 23 2009
From: Canada

RE: ebay question (in reply to n85ae)

I actually buy a lot on ebay, a lot from China too. Never had any problems, but it's never been big money. But your last post is what I think, stick with people with good feedback.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 25 2013 19:59:55

Leñador

Posts: 5237
Joined: Jun. 8 2012
From: Los Angeles

RE: ebay question (in reply to rogeliocan)

It's not as risky as it sounds, like cars

Imagine if I said, I'm gunna invent an enormously heavy metal box that goes ten times faster then any human has ever gone and give one to everyone in your city. It sounds like you'd have an accident every day. But there's not, people work it out, sure there's some but not enough to make cars not worth it........

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 25 2013 20:01:15

mark74

Posts: 690
Joined: Jan. 26 2011

RE: ebay question (in reply to rogeliocan)

Is Spain less technologically advanced than the United States or Germany?

I've never been there, its not a rhetorical question. I've always thought of Spain as one of the most advanced western European countries, but thats just because my uncle and one of my cousins go to Barcelona all the time and say its the best place ever...as for myself I'm too broke and afraid to fly

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 25 2013 20:12:06

tele

Posts: 1464
Joined: Aug. 17 2012

RE: ebay question (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Anders Eliasson

Culture is difficult to explain especially using another cultures language. Somehow, you have to live culture in order to understand it.
But spaniards are not used to buying second hand. Untill a very short time ago, it was considered poor to buy 2nd hand and this affects places like ebay. Besides, they dont have the internet culture that most of the members here have. In Spain everything to do with computers is still called "nuevas tecnologias". Sending a mail is using a new technology. And somehow they believe that you can hide on the internet and that its easy to cheat.

I agree with you when you say that there are a LOT of buyers on Ebay. I´ve had worse experiences selling than buying. Ebay is JUST about having as much money in circulation as possible.

I don't think they consider cheating kind of acceptable in spain. It's more like they don't take being honest or keeping their word so seriously like in finland for example. I have spent only 6 months in spain but I certainly don't see them as cheaters or liars at all, more like more "lightminded" and not taking things very seriously. How can it be acceptable to lie or cheat in any country? Sure in some countries people cheat more than in others but still it can't be said it's overall accepted as if you lose for example 100 euros because your buddy don't want to pay back your loan even if he promised it doesn't mean if you're spanish you will just accept it.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 25 2013 23:10:19

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: ebay question (in reply to tele)

quote:

I don't think they consider cheating kind of acceptable in spain. It's more like they don't take being honest or keeping their word so seriously like in finland for example. I have spent only 6 months in spain but I certainly don't see them as cheaters or liars at all, more like more "lightminded" and not taking things very seriously. How can it be acceptable to lie or cheat in any country? Sure in some countries people cheat more than in others but still it can't be said it's overall accepted as if you lose for example 100 euros because your buddy don't want to pay back your loan even if he promised it doesn't mean if you're spanish you will just accept it.

I kind of agree with what you say. I like the word lightminded and your discription of what honesty is. And may I did choose the wrong words when I in my third language tried to explain something that is going on in the country where my second language is in use. Things are that its a very complex thing do explain. Just like culture always is because we always look at foreign cultures with the eyes of our own culture.

But try staying here 4 - 5 years or more, buy a house, a car. landnet telephone and internet etc. You know normal stuff and you´ll get a view that is much more complex and very far from nice. Banks , insurrance companies, telephone companies etc. ALL cheat... And since its so extremely complicated to do anything, very little is done. Spain is VERY far from Scandinavia in these things. (And I havent told you about how it is with people fixing you car and your house.... pufff)

On the other hands, Spain or lets say Andalucia, because thats where we are, are wonderfull places to stay as long as you dont stick your nose to far into society. I would love to be here, with money from outside, just renting a place to stay for a couple of years and so. Not getting involved in society, just being plain oldfashion "guiry", enjoying life, a bit of flamenco, the sun, a glass of Rioja, some tapas. You know the life that the huge majority of foreigners do here. Spaniards are extremely good at making yoiu feel good. I dont know anyone better at doing that.

Back to Ebay. I´m happy that Ebay works well in some places, but dont make the error that is done so much on this board and that is to think that because things are one way in your backyeard, it´ll work the same everywhere else. Not everyone here lives in The US, UK, Germany etc and there´s a whole big world outside, that works very differently.
Just an example, I bought a violin bow on Ebay Spain. The seller had 20 possitive votes. The bow never arrived, the seller had "lost" the ticket from the post office. I contacted Ebay. They were very slow, I had to wait, send them things etc. I never got any money back and I decided that my time was better being used other places. I could tell more personal stories about Ebay Spain, but its just the same. And in the end you just give up. I dont buy stuff on Ebay Spain. I just bought 2 new batteries for my camera, and I did so in Ebay UK.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 26 2013 7:20:47