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Post by ChrisB on Oct 24, 2014 8:06:09 GMT
To be clear from the start, I don't want this thread to be an Ebay bashing exercise.
For quite a while, now, lots of us have been using Ebay to buy gear or bits and pieces for our systems as well as music, of course. I wonder if folks think that Ebay has improved or worsened our hobby?
Ebay is great if you know what you want & what it's worth. It's also quite good for trying stuff out that you might never have considered (if you can get it at the right price) but you do have to be careful.
It's had a profound effect on the price of old gear and I suppose the mass of info generally available on the web has fueled that to a large extent.
It has also enabled the idea of direct selling to become a more realistic proposition for the smaller manufacturer and has allowed private sales adverts to have a massively bigger reach.
I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.
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Post by MartinT on Oct 24, 2014 8:11:56 GMT
For me it's been a clear success. eBay has had a profoundly positive effect on my hobby. I have access to tools, parts and complete components that have allowed me to tweak and trial all sorts of things that I otherwise would never have had access to. It has also enabled me to sell items I no longer need, in order to finance other purchases. Together with Amazon, they are my two most valued internet resources.
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Post by pre65 on Oct 24, 2014 8:27:38 GMT
A great big PLUS for Ebay as it is now, they have cleaned up their act a lot since the early days, but they need to give security much more importance.
Amazon, successful as they may be, are not currently on my like list. Won't use them unless there is no other option. 
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Post by canetoad on Oct 24, 2014 9:13:59 GMT
ebay is great for buying generally (I have had a few issues with some sellers) but I always worry when I want to sell something.
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Post by MikeMusic on Oct 24, 2014 9:19:36 GMT
Very big plus for me
Flipside is I've bought too much, upgraded all over the place and sold almost hardly anything
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Post by Chris on Oct 24, 2014 14:46:03 GMT
Yip,I like EBay as well. Good availability of products and competition keeps prices down. I've found the same for mountain biking as well - it's great for cheap bikes and cheap parts.
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Post by John on Oct 24, 2014 14:55:34 GMT
On the whole a very positive experience with Ebay and got to try a lot of gear I would never of heard
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Post by Paul Barker on Oct 24, 2014 17:48:03 GMT
Yes better.
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Post by MikeMusic on Oct 25, 2014 10:46:04 GMT
The odd thing goes high, daft bidders.
Road bikes don't seem to be such a good deal
I bought new, 30% off last season's model, for less than 1-2 year old models on Ebay where I had to go and pick them up !
(and no idea why I was editing Chris's post !, now changed back)
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Post by speedysteve on Oct 25, 2014 14:32:42 GMT
Ebay has meant that I could access rare items that I don't think I would have found, certainly not as quickly. Stuff from the States and Canada for example - value for money? Not so sure, a larger community knows the value of things, so true bargains are a bit rare. As a seller you are likely to get the market value and sometimes more is 2 or more folk really want the same thing, bidding wars:) That said, if it did not exist, we would find another way... The classifieds would be richer perhaps. Remember Exchange and Mart... www.exchangeandmart.co.uk/ now only cars - used to come out once a week and cover everything. I bought my first decent air rifle and scope on E & M. |
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Post by MikeMusic on Oct 25, 2014 14:43:29 GMT
The auction part means you can pick up bargains ("bargins" in Ebay speak of course)
I've been staggered at some silly low prices
Picked up an Underworld CD last week for 33p - including post !
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Post by MartinT on Oct 25, 2014 21:23:43 GMT
I once sold a preamp to a chap in New Zealand. The carriage was steep but he was well pleased.
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Post by MikeMusic on Oct 26, 2014 10:28:59 GMT
NZ is a long way from everywhere I assume they have to pay through the nose for a lot of stuff except sheep and rugby players  |
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Post by Sovereign on Oct 26, 2014 11:36:46 GMT
eBay has enhanced my journey in Hifi. As mentioned it has given me access to components right across Britain and right across the world, all beaming into the palm of my hand via an iPad or phone of some sort. What other system gives you access to a worldwide market like that, with security and accountability to a certain extent. Sure ebays size tends to quash other online Hifi markets but that's the nature of growth.
It has been great for me as I have been able to find some rare gems from other parts if the world that I otherwise would not have been able to find. It has made the hobby of second Hifi a lot more fun, emediate. And accessable.
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Post by AlanS on Oct 26, 2014 12:51:33 GMT
I used to use them/it. Bought my Amp and CD player both at a good price and in good condition, my speaker stands too. Could have been unlucky I know. That was a couple of years ago. Ebay has changed so much since then and not to the better so I no longer take it seriously or even think to check for things I may be interested in.
So answering the OP it has (past tense) but does no longer
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Post by carlsworkshop on Oct 26, 2014 22:23:14 GMT
I miss the romance of things being unobtainable, you'd search for years and then one day the object of your desire would trip you up. That aside its generally a boon.
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Post by jandl100 on Oct 27, 2014 8:53:17 GMT
A big Plus for me as a hifi boxswapper, but I do now worry a bit about the new rule allowing buyers a ridiculous 6 months to return an item as unsuitable. That has given me pause for thought when selling. Will we be inundated with returns as the 6 month period rolls up? -- and eBay is legendary for siding with the buyer regardless of the actual facts. Hmmm.  Because of that, forums are now definitely my 1st port of call when selling higher value items. |
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Post by MikeMusic on Oct 27, 2014 9:30:49 GMT
I miss the romance of things being unobtainable, you'd search for years and then one day the object of your desire would trip you up. That aside its generally a boon. Went out the window and I bought all sorts of stuff previously rare or expensive Now I have to sell a load ! |
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Post by MikeMusic on Oct 27, 2014 9:32:16 GMT
the new rule allowing buyers a ridiculous 6 months to return an item as unsuitable. That has given me pause for thought when selling. Will we be inundated with returns as the 6 month period rolls up? -- and eBay is legendary for siding with the buyer regardless of the actual facts. Hmmm. Because of that, forums are now definitely my 1st port of call when selling high value items. That is mad. 2 weeks is ok, even a month at a stretch Too much room for scammer buyers |
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Post by carlsworkshop on Nov 2, 2014 11:54:44 GMT
I think ebay is trying to get rid of the little guy and is becoming an online outlet for the high street chain stores. They seem to be discouraging individual sellers with corporate speak and unreasonable terms and conditions. I am very wary of ebay and of selling anything through it. Its changed beyond recognition .
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Because of that, forums are now definitely my 1st port of call when selling higher value items.