Should I buy from Ebay?

[wingedwheel]

I've been browsing reels on ebay and can't believe what I have found. A "new" Shimano Stella 6000 FA Spinning Reel for only $0.88 and free shipping. Shimano Stella 6000 (http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Shimano-Stella-6000-FA-Spinning-Reel-STL-6000FA_W0QQitemZ120289333322QQihZ002QQcategoryZ36164QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem), a "new" Daiwa Saltiga 50 Conventional Saltwater Reel for $0.99 with $12.95 shipping cost.Daiwa Saltiga (http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-IN-BOX-DAIWA-SALTIGA-50-CONVENTIONAL-SALTWATER-REEL_W0QQitemZ170244883520QQihZ007QQcategoryZ36163QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

How can reels that retails for $400-$500 be sold for next to nothing on ebay? I know there has to be catch somewhere.

[inshoreangler95]

the catch is that the reels are put up on auctions and well usually you wont see the prices go up until the last couple of days and well thats when everybody bids and the price zooms up, if theres like one day left or something then go ahead place your bid and keep a watch so that they dont bid over you but if not keep it in watch but i bet the prices will go up soon.luck!

[SnookMook]

Yep, that's a big 10-4. You can occasionally get a good deal on E-Bay though. Sometimes it requires being at the computer to make a bid right at the last 30 seconds though.

However, you usually need a really fast DSL or internet service provider to count on that move.

[outfishin28]

some times retailers will place bets on items they are selling under a different name, that way they can still get the price they want for the item. They put a maximum bid at the price they want you to pay.....

[Rob S]

Ebay is an instant addiction, hope you have good willpower. It is a great tool though, buying and selling. I did get dicked over buying a Penn 350, but it was only 1 out of many experiences so I consider myself fortunate.

[Grilled Sardine]

I've bought rods and reels from ebay where the retailer lists them most cheaper than their actuall store. What pisses me off the most about ebay is when you are bidding on an item and thinking your going to win, and then somebody with 2sec left outbids you....arrrrrrrrrrrr...

[J_Lannon]

I have mainly dealt with golf clubs on EBAY. I can honestly say that all the clubs were as desribed ... or better than described.

I did buy a St. Croix fly rod last winter. It was as nice as it was described. I used the (BUY IT NOW) option that the seller had as a option.

[narfpoit]

If you look around there are sniper prgrams that will place your bid for you with only seconds to spare so that you dont have to sit and wait for it. The worst thing you can do is place bids early on in the auction that will just drive the price up. but if you dont mind missing out on some of the items and are patient you will eventually get one for cheap. Also careful searching will yeild excellent deals especially if the listing was misspelled or just not listed well then there wont be as many people bidding against you. Anyway just a few tips that I hope help.

[Hannibal]

I always "watch" an item I want and set my phone to alert me with an hour left so I can get to a computer and check in. If the price is still reasonable - then I bid. I typically determine what's the most I will pay (including shipping) and then knock off 10%. I then set this as my max bid.

I've gotten hold of a few good fishing items this way and have to say that my experiences thus far have been pleasent. ***Knock on wood***

[wingedwheel]

What are some of your successes and failures when it comes to buying fishing gear from eBay?

[Al Kai]

I bought a nice Penn Mag 980.
It is very nice.

[scavengerj]

I use either an auto-bidder prog (not legal) or I just "Watch Item". Wait until there are very few minutes left and then if the price is still good, turn on "Auto bid" with your maximum amount you'll pay. Be sure to have DSL or FiOS though ;) Mostly though I'll only purchase items that have a "Buy now" option. Then I'll e-mail the seller and make them an offer. If you do bid, make sure there is no "reserve" for the item. This means that the seller will pull the item if they do not get the minimum price they want on the item. There's a bunch of tricks that can be done if you really want an item :)

Just be sure of what you are buying. E-mail seller and keep copies of all e-mails with them in case you have to go back with something. Check and double check shipping prices.
Be sure it is what you want. Make sure to know exactly the condition of the item and get it in writting.
Best last minute bidding times are about 5am EST. West coast is usually in bed so unless someone from around the globe is bidding on the item there won't be much competition.
Know that alot of others use auto-bidder programs and do the same things I do :)

DMS #525
OBPA

[Fireball]

" Fireball's EBay Tip of the Day"

Look for an auction featuring the item you desire that closes at somewherebetween 11 AM and 3 PM Eastern Time. There will be less people in front of the computer (they'll probably be at work) and naturally (for most people )unable to jump over your bid.

[Shooter]

A couple of tricks I use when buying on Ebay, I usally only buy from sellers with a high number count knowing they don't sell junk and stand behind their product, otherwise they get bad comments.
Now I was trained when I first started to snipe and yup lost a lot of buys because I didn't bid high enough so now if I see something I might want I think of just how much am I willing to pay for the item. When I set my price that is the top amount I am willing to go and if it sells for $1.00 more then I know I wouldn't pay that amount. I place my bid and walk away, no worries, no staying up late, no tryn to snipe at the last second. I come back when the bidding is over and see if I won or lost, if I win I do the paper work and get my item if I lost it's because someone else wanted the item bad enough to pay over what I was willing to pay.

Don't get traped into the bidding war, know what your willing to pay and don't go a dime over.

[byrontx]

Like Narfpoit says. I picked up 340 Breakaway leaders (about $5 each typ.) for $60. They were misspelled. sometimes just being first when there is a buy-it-now option works great. got a Penn 980 in new condition (in the box with everything) for $100.

[joe l.]

I've bought and sold bunches of stuff off eBay over the years. Never had any huge problems. There's been lots of good advice in this thread so far.

A couple of other things I'd suggest to keep in mind:

1) Do some homework on what you're buying. I've lost track of how many times I've seen an item go for wayyyyy over what it's really worth - and honestly, if people would just search the Net, they could have bought an item for less from an online store. DON'T let yourself get carried away bidding. Set what price you think would be a "deal" for an item, and don't go over it. If you don't get the item for that price, don't worry - another similar item WILL come up.

2) Don't think that an item is "one of a kind" or that you'll never see it again. Sure, some items are tougher than others, but if you watch carefully, the minute some common item goes for big bucks, other people who own that same item will place theirs for sale on eBay, thinking that they'll get the same high price for it. Usually you can pick up stuff cheap then, because the market gets "flooded" a bit. I've gotten some great deals this way, just by being patient.

Anyway, just my 2 cents' worth... good luck on your bids!

[Slammer]

Ebay is a lot of fun and sometimes you find a nice bargain.That's how I look at it.It's a worldwide Yard Sale.

[Lip Ripper]

dont sleep on the buy it now option. i think most people do a search for "ending first" and that is it. try doing a search for newly listed, and look at the buy it now's. that way you avoid the bidding.

i just picked up a new mizuno 560 driver for 160.00. i think i did pretty good with that one.

[longcast]

I will sell you a "picture" of a $500 reel, for $0.10 plus postage & handling of $15.00.

look at the wording very carefully.

[screamin'reels]

I get awesome deals on EVERYTHING at E-bay. As far as fishing goes I have gotten awesome deals on Penn Senator 9/0's. I purchased 3 off of there so far brand new for right around 100 bucks each. I also get my fighting/boat rods Always look at the shipping costs because sometimes you may get a great deal on the item and it all evens out (or goes higher) than whats right down the street. I try to browse mainly new items but occassionaly get the "used once" I have never been let down but your main thing is to READ THE ITEM DESCRIPTIONS OVER AND OVER. Good luck, I have items being shipped to me as we speak :fishing: