Bad experiences purchasing on E-Bay?
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 163
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Bad experiences purchasing on E-Bay?
I've purchased a few things and they have become a pain in the can when somehthing goes wrong. Mainly because they lack a "Brand Name" and when or if something breaks/gets damaged I can't get a replacement part.
Example: Dropped my headlight lense assembly on the garage floor--smashed the lense and now I can't get a match to get my hands on and actually see if it fits. I got it fora great price and now may pay for it in a different way.
I just don't know if I will be looking for the best deal anymore.
Example: Dropped my headlight lense assembly on the garage floor--smashed the lense and now I can't get a match to get my hands on and actually see if it fits. I got it fora great price and now may pay for it in a different way.
I just don't know if I will be looking for the best deal anymore.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 460
Likes: 1
From: San Diego, CA
RE: Bad experiences purchasing on E-Bay?
That is so true, especially on EBay. You get what you pay for...literally. When I buy off Ebay I spend good money on stuff that is pretty much name brand. Cheap stuff or one-off odd stuff I buy based on what I don't mind getting (crap) or losing (breakage or not fitting) and can afford to throw away and chalk it up to learning experience. So far I've only had to "throw away" about a hundred bucks or so.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
RE: Bad experiences purchasing on E-Bay?
That's why you support the local stores. I'm constantly amazed at the amount people will pay for stuff on fleabay that they can buy for the same or less at a local indy. I've made the same mistake, but I've learned.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
Likes: 26
From: Windham,Maine
RE: Bad experiences purchasing on E-Bay?
I'm finishing my second motorcycle off Ebay,except for a couple of hassles it has been a great way to save a lot of money.Only buying Genuine Harley stuff too.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 460
Likes: 1
From: San Diego, CA
RE: Bad experiences purchasing on E-Bay?
Yes, I do support the local stores. But saving over $1000 on the same parts buying off Ebay is something I can't pass up...
My 16" bars plus all the stainless cables cost me only $203 off Ebay, couldn't find bars alone for under $250. But you do have to be choosey on what you spend your money on.
My 16" bars plus all the stainless cables cost me only $203 off Ebay, couldn't find bars alone for under $250. But you do have to be choosey on what you spend your money on.
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 163
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Bad experiences purchasing on E-Bay?
I like supporting the Indy shops around here, but its difficult when there isn't much to choose from and the inventory is non-existent around me so its not like I can touch and see what I'm getting anyway. Shipped to my door is a real good incentive for me.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,203
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh, PA
RE: Bad experiences purchasing on E-Bay?
Bought a dirt bike on Ebay at auction.
Seller was an Ex-Marine, and a mechanic.
Drove 10 hours to pick it up. Started thebike upand it made an odd sound. No mention of this in the auction. Seller said it was a cam chain that needed adjustment. As he was a mechanic, and seemed honest,I took him at his word and loaded the bike up and drove home.
Turned out the oil filter had been installed the wrong way and starved the entire top end of oil. $1,500.00 later, I had a used dirt bike that no longer made noise, and a bike I wil take a huge loss on when selling.
Hard and costly lesson learnt.
Seller was an Ex-Marine, and a mechanic.
Drove 10 hours to pick it up. Started thebike upand it made an odd sound. No mention of this in the auction. Seller said it was a cam chain that needed adjustment. As he was a mechanic, and seemed honest,I took him at his word and loaded the bike up and drove home.
Turned out the oil filter had been installed the wrong way and starved the entire top end of oil. $1,500.00 later, I had a used dirt bike that no longer made noise, and a bike I wil take a huge loss on when selling.
Hard and costly lesson learnt.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,871
Likes: 4
RE: Bad experiences purchasing on E-Bay?
i buy alot off ebay never been spoofed, than i have the independant shops do the labor, there good with that they can`t carry all the one off stuff, and alot of times i bring them stuff and they go man where did you get that and they want to become distribitor
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,022
Likes: 3
From: Hudson Valley- NY
RE: Bad experiences purchasing on E-Bay?
E-bay is full of junk and gems, it all depends on what you're bidding on or want. I've bought and sold bike parts, car parts, electronics and a few other things on E-bay as well as a fair amount of both to people on this board and I have to say, I've never been disappointed. My time may come, but you have to be very careful what you bid on and know what the true value of the product is, otherwise you're asking to be hosed.
We've all seen items bid up over the cost that you could buy them locally for, even at a HD dealer. Tack a nice S&H charge on top of that and some of the costs are well over dealer cost. I try to buy as much as I can from my 2 or 3 local dealers or Indy shops, take advantage of discounts and sales. you can make out okay. There are times however that there is a bargain on the 'bay that you can't pass up. Do your homework, read the feedback and ask a lot of questions if you have them.
The most polite buying experience I had was purchasing an older laptop on E-bay for about $50.00. Guaranteed not DOA, but when it arrived, it would not boot. A few e-mails back and forth with the seller and I had my refund in hand, did not even have to return the laptop which I offered to do at my cost. Overall, there are some good deals, but it is easy to get scammed. Just be careful.
We've all seen items bid up over the cost that you could buy them locally for, even at a HD dealer. Tack a nice S&H charge on top of that and some of the costs are well over dealer cost. I try to buy as much as I can from my 2 or 3 local dealers or Indy shops, take advantage of discounts and sales. you can make out okay. There are times however that there is a bargain on the 'bay that you can't pass up. Do your homework, read the feedback and ask a lot of questions if you have them.
The most polite buying experience I had was purchasing an older laptop on E-bay for about $50.00. Guaranteed not DOA, but when it arrived, it would not boot. A few e-mails back and forth with the seller and I had my refund in hand, did not even have to return the laptop which I offered to do at my cost. Overall, there are some good deals, but it is easy to get scammed. Just be careful.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,015
Likes: 5
From: Alaska
RE: Bad experiences purchasing on E-Bay?
ORIGINAL: JSW
I've purchased a few things and they have become a pain in the can when somehthing goes wrong. Mainly because they lack a "Brand Name" and when or if something breaks/gets damaged I can't get a replacement part.
Example: Dropped my headlight lense assembly on the garage floor--smashed the lense and now I can't get a match to get my hands on and actually see if it fits. I got it for a great price and now may pay for it in a different way.
I just don't know if I will be looking for the best deal anymore.
I've purchased a few things and they have become a pain in the can when somehthing goes wrong. Mainly because they lack a "Brand Name" and when or if something breaks/gets damaged I can't get a replacement part.
Example: Dropped my headlight lense assembly on the garage floor--smashed the lense and now I can't get a match to get my hands on and actually see if it fits. I got it for a great price and now may pay for it in a different way.
I just don't know if I will be looking for the best deal anymore.
That is not due to any problem on eBay.
A better example would be one where the item was "significantly not as described" or damaged in shipping or DOA and the seller would not make good.
Many times an item listed on eBay is an overstock / discontinued item that you may not find an exact replacement if you have a case of butterfingers. Also sometimes the item may be off the back of a truck. But no one cares about that. Every one wants ridiculously low prices with warranties and replacements.