posted on February 27, 2001 10:02:15 AM new
From what I've read digital cameras and electronics have been one of the biggest rip offs on eBay. I was looking for mini CDs for my new Sony digital camera and accidentally ran across 3 auctions for a relatively expensive camera by the same new 0 feedback seller all at low start and no reserve. All pictures are generic and PayPal not accepted due to fraud.
Now it is really none of my business but it raised my curiousity about buyers and I've got to ask ... how many of you would take a chance and send maybe $700-1000 to someone who has no feedback history established and doesn't take credit cards?
It took me 6 months to get my feedback up to 100 which was a fair amount in early 98 where I thought I could offer higher priced items.
Heck the way things are now with eBay's email you can't even tell if it is some web address or only slightly more legitimate ISP based.
posted on February 27, 2001 11:12:10 AM new
I always pass up listings by sellers who are new. Unless the item is cheap and I can afford to give away the money.
IMO new sellers can get started just like a lot of sellers did: start buying and build up feedback that way or sell cheap stuff first.
posted on February 27, 2001 11:28:22 AM new
I wouldn't do it - but I used to read the "Emergency Contact" board at eBay. You'd be amazed how many people willingly send off thousands of dollars for a computer, and didn't keep the seller's userid or email address, the mailing address, or the auction number. About 3 months later they start asking questions.
posted on February 27, 2001 12:34:18 PM new
for the best prices on digital cameras check out pricewatch.com..........if you find em cheaper on ebay something is definetly fishy with the deal........
posted on February 27, 2001 07:44:33 PM new
I think I happened to notice the seller you're referring to. I'm in desparate need of a dig camera and wouldn't bid for precisely that reason, looked suspicous. SPECIALLY after getting burnt this month by a seller and seeing how Ebay handles it!
posted on February 27, 2001 10:09:09 PM new
It took me HOURS of research to find my Olympus Digital camera last month. I mean I searched the web..ebay...everywhere...
What I found was someone who copied someone elses ad to the tee...and his feedback was 0...when I asked him about it he claimed the OTHER guy copied him! (obviously he didn't as the other guy had tons of positive feed!).
Then you have to READ READ the bottom line as some good priced ones are FACTORY SECONDS or whatever the word is for being refurbished. They don't mention it til the very last line of the page!(on ebay).
So be careful...I DID find one that is new with a seller of high feedback...paid a little more but it was worth the security.
posted on February 28, 2001 01:48:45 AM new
I also bought an olympus, but I got mine last spring. After quite a bit of research and looking on ebay, I finally went to a B&M store to buy. I just won't take chances with that amount of money. I'm glad I did because I just got it back from having some repair work done. If I had bought on ebay I seriously doubt if I could have had it fixed under warranty.
posted on February 28, 2001 03:56:06 AM new
IMO I'd buy something like a digital camera or other high end electronics from a B&M store instead of on eBay or I'd buy from a web-based company that is known and has reliable customer service.
Sometime a lower price is not worth the hassle if something goes wrong. Don't think for a moment, if you purchase a digital camera and it has a problem that the average seller on eBay is going to stand behind it like a B&M store will. Just isn't going to happen. They are going to refer you back to the manufacturer which is only right. It's not always the price that counts it's whose going to be there if something happens.
I certainly wouldn’t take a chance on any seller with a 0 or low feedback. No way no how!
posted on February 28, 2001 04:13:43 AM new
I bought my digital camera 2 years ago from a new seller with about 10 feedback and all went very well,new in box with warranty and everything included.
However, times have changed and I would not risk it today. That's sad to say,isn't it? But they can start the same way most of us did, buying and also selling lower priced merchandise until we had our feedback built up.
