WHY BUY FROM EB?

[cantflip]

I was writing this in response to another thread, and it occurred to me this might get a number of responses...
I just have to ask... WHY EBAY?
I understand buying a used item off ebay... they have a marketing format that's hard to beat. but all the new parts that seem to be sold from there... why? You have less service than if purchased through other channels and from what I have seen, if you research a little there is almost always a premium added to the price to make it worth selling on ebay. I haven't gotten to a point where I found car parts on amazon to be a huge benefit... but I use it to buy lawnmower parts (search the sears p/n) and things like seat covers and bug shields for the expedition...

 

[polara71]

I wanna see it feel it touch it smell it. I usually don't buy off line unless I can't get it in a store. Never e bay unless it is an obsolete item and nowhere else can it be found.

I often do ask myself why is there 21000 items listed for a Plymouth fury when perhaps 10 percent is really applicable

 

[Big_John]

I buy a lot on Ebay.
I do it mostly for convenience and price.

Here's an example.... Being in the snow belt, I run snow tires on the rear of my Grand Marquis. To switch back to summer tires, I need to reprogram the tire pressure monitor system. Ford sells a hand held tool to do this. I can probably buy one at my local Ford dealer. I'll have to go there, pay full price and up front. They'll order it and maybe they will call me when it comes in. I'll have to drive back over and pick it up.

Or, I can order it from Ebay... Get the cheapest price and it will be in my mailbox in a couple days. That's exactly what I just did too.

On that transaction alone, I've saved at least two hours of my time and probably $15.

I've never gotten burnt on buying something new on Ebay. I always check feedback and I research what I'm buying if needed. I also watch where it's coming from and I don't buy from China.

 

[MYSINBIN]

I buy a lot on Ebay.
I do it mostly for convenience and price.

Here's an example.... Being in the snow belt, I run snow tires on the rear of my Grand Marquis. To switch back to summer tires, I need to reprogram the tire pressure monitor system. Ford sells a hand held tool to do this. I can probably buy one at my local Ford dealer. I'll have to go there, pay full price and up front. They'll order it and maybe they will call me when it comes in. I'll have to drive back over and pick it up.

Or, I can order it from Ebay... Get the cheapest price and it will be in my mailbox in a couple days. That's exactly what I just did too.

On that transaction alone, I've saved at least two hours of my time and probably $15.

I've never gotten burnt on buying something new on Ebay. I always check feedback and I research what I'm buying if needed. I also watch where it's coming from and I don't buy from China.

Pretty much the same thing for me.

Every vehicle that I own is 1995 or older. It's very rare that I can walk into any retail store and not have to drag the counter person through the process of finding what I need. Especially for the Newps.

I've also had generally good luck with Rockauto as well.

A lot of the items I buy on eBay offer free shipping as well.

I'm OK with possibly paying a little more for something to have it sitting at my door when I get home vs. chasing it down via phone or car.

John

 

[commando1]

It's ALL drop-shipped stuff. Some guy bought into the 3:00 AM infomercial scam on "How To Get Rich on eBay"
They buy the software that then spams the crap out of eBay using techniques from the "Fits:.." so that Fuzzy Dice comes up 12,865 times in your search for axle bearings. All encouraged, endorsed, and condoned by ebay.

 

[Big_John]

If you want to minimize some of that crap, you need to add a little to your search string.

Example: You want dice, but not fuzzy dice. Type "dice -fuzzy". You'll get dice, but you won't get anything that has "fuzzy" in the title. You can add to to the search. "dice -fuzzy -pink -green" etc.

This doesn't cure everything, but you can prune a search down to manageable size at least.

 

[commando1]

If you want to minimize some of that crap, you need to add a little to your search string.

Example: You want dice, but not fuzzy dice. Type "dice -fuzzy". You'll get dice, but you won't get anything that has "fuzzy" in the title. You can add to to the search. "dice -fuzzy -pink -green" etc.

This doesn't cure everything, but you can prune a search down to manageable size at least.

I do use all the tricks known to mankind to fine tune the search for the most accurate results. One of my most favorite subjects in College was Boolean Logic. Unfortunately, the software writers are getting better and better at outsmarting you when you're trying to outsmart them.

The most irritating one is when searching for "NOS". They figured out that one too. They embed in the the listings such keywords so that 10,001 Chinese flea market crap spams your results.

 

[Big_John]

I do use all the tricks known to mankind to fine tune the search for the most accurate results. One of my most favorite subjects in College was Boolean Logic. Unfortunately, the software writers are getting better and better at outsmarting you when you're trying to outsmart them.

The most irritating one is when searching for "NOS". They figured out that one too. They embed in the the listings such keywords so that 10,001 Chinese flea market crap spams your results.

I kinda figured you knew this... and probably more than I do. I like to get the dialog going so I can learn too.

Ebay used to have that option as part of the search function. Now you just have to know.

I also check the "North America" box when searching.

 

[cantflip]

I have, thus far, found better pricing on amazon... they have been awesome about returns/damaged items. I usually find better prices looking at all of the parts co websites when I have a p/n to work from.

I am really amazed at the number of bastardized distributors I see folks here buy, and brake parts??? this is all stuff I definitely want a supplier I will have some recourse with if its defective.

 

[The Horvaths]

I buy from Amazon unless I can't find it there. With Prime, we get free one day shipping to our house, which is pretty sweet.

 

[1978 NYB]

I have, thus far, found better pricing on amazon... they have been awesome about returns/damaged items. I usually find better prices looking at all of the parts co websites when I have a p/n to work from.

I am really amazed at the number of bastardized distributors I see folks here buy, and brake parts??? this is all stuff I definitely want a supplier I will have some recourse with if its defective.

Just wait until you need Formal parts......

EBay may be the only source and you better hope you are quick on the trigger. Road wheel parts just happen to be one of the hot commodities on EBay in the last month or so for an example.

 

[1978 NYB]

Just wait until (I hope it doesn't happen to you) some teenage thug with his pants hanging down to his knees steals your hood ornament....EBay might be the only place you'll find one worthy of replacing on Mr. C's Imp's.

 

[commando1]

Just wait until you need Formal parts......

I always have to include "-magazine" in my "new yorker" searches...

 

[Fratzog]

I won't knowingly buy from Amazon with their brutal corporate culture. I've used Ebay often with no issues 99.9% of the time.

 

[65sporty]

I have used both e-bay and amazon, some things that I have looked for (parts for my son's x-box) you can't find other places.

 

[1978 NYB]

I won't knowingly buy from Amazon with their brutal corporate culture. I've used Ebay often with no issues 99.9% of the time.

Unfortunately if your company is owned by Wall Street you'll be asked to do more with less and if you are salaried it is even worse.

 

[rags]

you guy's think that chrysler parts are hard to get? try finding parts for antique nutone doorbells! FINALLY! there was this ONE guy in michigan...

 

[cantflip]

Unfortunately if your company is owned by Wall Street you'll be asked to do more with less and if you are salaried it is even worse.

Just don't expect the upper echelon to tighten their belts... love the years "were too broke" stuff follows with ceo bonuses in excess of our whole payroll...

 

[commando1]

Now you're entering the area that makes me go Postal...
For the safety of all others here, some big burly guys here should escort me out. Now.

 

[300rag]

Now you're entering the area that makes me go Postal...
For the safety of all others here, some big burly guys here should escort me out. Now.

Or distract you with........
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a nice Fury