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General discussion

Buying new on EBay?

Nov 1, 2004 4:20AM PST

I'm new to computing and have posted to forums only twice. I received excellent advice and was able to solve the problems as a result. I'm back for some general advice.
I want to purchase new hardware for my business and want a good buy on a brand-name computer. I need a good internet system with storage for databases and room for standard business applications, ect., and would like to have fast multimedia capabilities. I've been looking at Dell 8400s on Ebay. They appear to be suitable to my needs and budget.
My question is however, are these systems cheaper because they're outdated, stolen, broken or some other reason? Are the sellers legitimate? They seem to be. How are they able to purchase at a price and sell for much less than the manufacturer. Any information or recommendation is greatly appreciated.
Thank you!!!

Discussion is locked

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Re: Here's where I shop. . .
Nov 5, 2004 8:10AM PST

If you know what your looking for and you want to save money! Compare - apples to apples. Here's where I buy from - www.pricewatch.com -And don't tell to many people, because this is where distributors compete below retail. -Tell them Mike sent you-ha ha!

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Re: Here's where I shop. . .
Nov 5, 2004 11:37AM PST

Yes Sir...been to Pricewatch. Many people's favorite site. I think there are some others that are similar, but I guess they're the granddaddy of 'em all.
Thanks for the reminder!

Brad

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Re: Here's where I shop. . .
Nov 6, 2004 8:34AM PST

Good old Overstock.com...absolutely great people to deal with in all ways. I've had phenomenally great luck with them. I especially love their shipping and handling charges...can't be beat. Also had a couple of bad items which they very quickly made good on.

I highly recommend Overstock.com. Never used their auction side, though I did sign up for it.

Pointman

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Re: Here's where I shop. . .
Nov 6, 2004 12:18PM PST

Seen their TV ads but never really checked their site. I'll run on over and see what's there. Who knows, maybe I'll do a little shopping.

Thanks!

Brad

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Re: Buying new on EBay?
Nov 3, 2004 1:48PM PST

All good advise! I have heard of very good buys on eBay, but it is very important to check the seller out. Also send them e-mail so they have to reply in an e-mail, then save it. Ask for details on what is in the computer package?
*Does the mother board have expantion slots for memory and what is the maximun memory and type?
*Number of expention slots for hardware? * What software comes with it? Is it full version? * OR is any of the MAIN programs trail? I purchsed a new HP desktop in Aug 2004. The box had all of the programs listed, but I did not see anything about it being trail version any place on the box. It had CD disk for MS Works & Money 2004 when I tried to use it, I was advised I had to buy the key at regular price.Sad NO System CD Disk for MS Win XP, NO MS Office 2003. Last Sunday the MS Office stopped working, that is when I found out that it was a trail verison. I phoned support as I wanted to be sure that the System (MS Windows XP) was going to keep working? The MS Office 2003 stopped, and I was mostly at a stand still until I went to buy a new program.
What are the warranties by who, and who does the support, and the repairs. For that reason I feel I should have stated with a store that is well known and has an exchange or repair service with no hassel policy. When I pay $1500. I at least expect it to come with the software OR AT THE VERY LEAST, STATE ON THE BOX WHAT SOFTWARE IS TRAILS! Good luck.

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Re: Buying new on EBay?
Nov 4, 2004 1:06AM PST

WOW!!!!!!!
Excellent points...first I've seen on the subject of eBay NEW computer software. You should create a narrative or checklist of critical buying issues pertaining to eBay computers, package it, and sell the information within the computer area on eBay. I'm totally serious, no kidding, Scouts Honor! I've seen no such info. available, and I've been following new computers there for weeks. There are a lot of people like me who need guidance when dealing on eBay...information beyond that which is offered through eBay tutorials and community boards.
Thanks for the valuable information!!!!!

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Bradley_P,
Nov 4, 2004 3:38AM PST

Beside all the good suggestions/advices from others, I would like to add my two cents on this topic.

Make sure the seller using PayPal or similar payment method. With this (PayPal for example) you are 100% backup from them and if anything went wrong (item never delivery to you for example) they (PayPal) will reimburse the money to you and hunt that bad seller down for you.

Regards,

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Re: Bradley_P,
Nov 4, 2004 5:31AM PST

Frank...nice tip!
Also heard it's best to use a credit card for one more layer of protection. Some sellers do not accept Paypal and I often wondered why...must be an additional fee somewhere. Also learned to NEVER send payment via Western Union/wire transfer.

Many eBay sellers are clear that they will not sell to anyone located outside of the U.S. or Canada. How about overseas sellers? Would you deal with them?

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Re: Bradley_P,
Nov 4, 2004 6:45AM PST

Yes there is a fee which seller has to pay (for PayPal and similar) but buyer isn't (if the item is less than $500.00)

I never deal with buyer and/or seller oversea so I can not answer your second question. Sorry!

Regards,

PS: Got your e-mail. Howdy to you too!!!!

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Re: Bradley_P,
Nov 5, 2004 4:02AM PST

Kinda what I figured...it's generally about the $$$ !

I also read that selling or buying overseas on eBay is such a customs nightmare that it's not really worth it at that level. I can see how that could be. Think I'll stay between the coasts for now.

Thanks for your help Frank! I'll keep an eye out for your posts.

Respectfully,

Brad

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Re: Bradley_P,
Nov 6, 2004 8:41AM PST

One thing I found out when dealing with sellers from other countries is this...CHECK THE RATES OF EXCHANGE, as these will be reflected on your credit card statements if using them.

I also try my best to stay away from Hong Kong area. I've ordered DVDs they swore would work here in the USA, but then didn't...and they then said they never said it would work. Oh yes...try and get your money back. That's like trying to take a hunk of meat from a starving lion.

But I have had good luck from Europe. So I guess location matters too.

Pointman

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Re: Bradley_P,
Nov 6, 2004 12:25PM PST

Man...you've done this once or twice. Are there that many deals...I mean REAL DEALS on eBay? If so, what areas are the best to shop?

Thanks,

Brad

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Re: Bradley_P,
Nov 5, 2004 12:45AM PST

Definitely use a credit card for backup. Ebay clims to repay when you've been taken by a seller, but if you check the pay-out chart, you'll see that you don't always get reimbursed for the full amount that you paid.
They do track down the flaky seller, but that takes a lot of time and you have to keep checking back on the progress, etc.
Credit card backup works much better. You will then get the full refund for your bad purchase.

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Re: Bradley_P,
Nov 5, 2004 3:19AM PST

So...no payment form other than a credit card through Paypal for max risk management. I would be investing $1500 to $2000 and I'll bet Paypal doesn't reimburse to that extent. Seems like you really EARN any "good deal" through an eBay purchase based on the due diligence any reasonably intelligent person should undertake...WHEW!

Thanks for your help!

Brad

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Re: Buying new on EBay?
Nov 4, 2004 8:11PM PST

With Ebay only pick from someone with a high positve feed back. Check the warraties as well if it is a trader.
PC world do something called smart plan which is a sort of lease agreement for three years, might be an option if capital is being used for setting up a business and I think it has tax benefits because its not bought. might be worth checking out.
Getting back to ebay I have been using it for 4 years now and ive only had two bad experiences of items not getting to me. I would also suggest you set up a pay pal account because this makes payment much safer.
Hope this helps

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Re: Buying new on EBay?
Nov 5, 2004 3:39AM PST

chrisiex1,

Is "a trader" something other than NEW?

Interesting point about a lease...I'll look into equip. lease options...hadn't really considered it as this system will employ some limited personal use and wanted to avoid any % use debate with Uncle Sam.

I actually do have a Paypal account now. I opened it to receive commissions via a networking company with which I'm involved (not primary business). I think once you have an account, it can be utilized for many purposes...among them eBay purchases.

Thank you for the information! Sorry about your bad eBay experiences...similar experiences, I hope to avoid.

Respectfully,

Brad

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Re: Buying new on EBay? (try this instead)
Nov 4, 2004 9:24PM PST

Instead of looking for deals on Ebay, go to the 'hot deals forum' at fatwallet.com and also visit bensbargains.net. ALL of the Dell deals get posted at both these sites and there are GREAT BUYS for Dell Home and Business purchases. The other good thing about these sites is people discuss each deal that is posted, giving their opinions of how good it is. Plus these posted deals are straight from Dell. No vendor or middleman, plus you get Dell's warranty.

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FATWALLET ROCKS!
Nov 4, 2004 11:09PM PST

Fatwallet is how the majority of things get onto ebay in the first place. They often list dell computers and other things with LOTS of rebates involved. People will go and buy these things, put in for all the rebates, and then put them on ebay and make money. You will see lots of stuff on ebay and amazon.com that says "new in box, missing UPC". That means, they bought it, got the rebate (which needed the upc code) and are now selling it. I have done this myself on several occations.
For example, there was a deal on fatwallet about a sony XM raido. It cost $100 and came with a $100 rebate. So, I paid 108 with shipping, got the $100 rebate, and sold it on ebay for about $50. The manufacturer was the only one that lost out on the deal.
So, you must still be careful on ebay, but I just wanted to let you know how these ebay deals are possible. Also, something no one has mentioned yet, check the SHIPPING on ebay. There are lots of things that come with outrageous flat rate shipping charges. $0.99 for a computer case with no reserve, but there is a $39.99 flat rate shipping fee. I really hate it when people do that. Its a cheap way to avoid ebay fees (the fee is determined by how much the product sells for, not counting shipping).
One last thing, the reason people don't like to ship out of their country, is because it is a total pain. Have you ever tried to send something to Canada? There are customs forms, and it takes forever, and it's expensive! Hope all this helps in your decision. Personally, I won't ever buy a pc inabox, (I build my own). But I have recommended dell to people when they are having sales I've seen on fatwallet. I've seen dell have under $400 computers WITH FLATSCREENS! People jump on these special deals and then sell them on ebay.

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Re: FATWALLET ROCKS!
Nov 5, 2004 4:49AM PST

slappie...man that's THE BEST explanation of the real eBay story I've seen in the WEEKS I've been beating this deal search to death! Seriously, that's great information. You've obviously played this game before.

Found a site called Got Apex...sounds similar to fatwallet,(gonna check FW after this post). GA has the coupon deals from Dell and others-along with forums, news, etc.,-so why is FW preferable? Are these the real "exclusive" type deals, or pretty much anyone can play deals?

The $0.99 story is funny...people will always find the loophole. Ebay's fault for creating that fee structure. Why not one dollar Dells with $1000 shipping?

Building my own PC will be a fun challenge someday I'm sure. However, today I have to buy one "out of the box". Need to get to work on my new business very quickly. I envy you that you possess the knowledge and skills to build your own. Give me some time and I'll get there!

Awesome post...Great info...Thank you!

Brad

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Re: Buying new on EBay? (try this instead)
Nov 5, 2004 3:09AM PST

First I've heard of Fatwallet.com. I just discovered Got Apex.com...sounds similar. I'll check out both of your recommendations and compare presentations.
Thank you for the tips!!!

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Re: Buying new on EBay?
Nov 5, 2004 12:02AM PST

Bradley,

Be VERY, VERY careful when buying computers on eBay. I recently purchased two Dell D600 laptops on seperate occassions and both turned out to have been stolen! The sellers neglected to completely delete the rightful owners' accounts from the c-drive, so I was able to locate contact details and return the laptops to their rightful owners. I managed to get a full refund on the first purchase (after the cops arrested the guy), but am still trying to get my money back on the first item.

Here are some tips I would suggest (the majority of which you have already been told about):

1) Ask the seller for the service tag number of the PC or laptop. I am not sure about other manufacturers, but I know Dell lets you enter the service tag number on their web site, so you can find out when it was shipped/purchased and what it's configuration is, i.e. speed of processor, size of hard drive, etc. This lets you confirm that the seller is describing honestly the item he is selling.

2) NEVER have Paypal take payment directly from your bank account. Always choose the "Pay with Credit Card" option. This adds an extra layer of protection for you.

3) It is preferable that the item is "Sealed in the box" but if it isn't, at the very minimum, confirm that the items comes with the user manauls and CDs. If the item has been stolen, it is more than likely it will have been stolen from a car or office. Therefore, the theif would not have had access to the manuals and CDs.

If you are buying a desktop unit, then the likelihood of it being stolen is far less than if it is a laptop. However, in any event, try to protect yourself as much as possible.

There are some great deals on eBay, but as always, follow the old maxim: If a deals seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Finally, from what I remember, Paypal's "Buyer Protection Program" only covers the buyer up to $500.

Good luck.
David.

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Re: Buying new on EBay?
Nov 5, 2004 12:59AM PST

When buying software, be sure that it has the Certificate of Authenticity, manuals, and everything else you need to use the software.
If you buy software without the product key, it's useless to you.
An additional safeguard guideline I use, is: Does the seller have a website(other than ebay)? Go to the website and check it out. This is usually a person in business to stay in business by offering good products and good service. I have found some good sellers, and local ones too, by using this method. Check their site for warranties, guarantees, return policy, and ease of email access. Do you get immediate replies?

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Re: Buying new on EBay?
Nov 5, 2004 7:13AM PST

So many "Gotchas" to Getcha. I really appreciate your council. These are potential pitfalls that I had no idea should be addressed.
My sincere thanks!

Brad

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Re: Buying new on EBay?
Nov 5, 2004 6:52AM PST

Excellent David!

Comprehensive, detailed and very valuable information that every eBay buyer should utilize. You highlight the service tag check for product verification. I have not seen this mentioned before. The manuals and CDs are another great double-check. Quite possibly, the seller could email these details prior to placing a bid.

Thank goodness I'm looking at desktops...considering your experience and council regarding laptops.

Great Advice Sir...

Thank you!

Brad

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shrink
Jun 10, 2008 2:57AM PDT

Having surfed ebay since the 90s + now working in retail, I think a lot of stuff you get there is from internal theft.
The company I work for gets things at low retail cost, being one of the biggest tech retailers in the world.

I see Ebay people selling stuff at below my company's cost, plus I see our internal shrink numbers . . . Just have to put 2+2 together to know the people who're taking stuff home aren't doing it cuz they really need more ipods or multiple copies of the same software/movie/etc.

Ebay is great for what it is, but it's also provides quick easy mostly-anonymous fencing.

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Re: Buying new on EBay?
Nov 5, 2004 11:27PM PST

Do your homework first. Know what you want and what it normally sells for. Check out seller feedback. Use Paypal or something like it to pay for items being purchased. If they won't take paypal, I don't buy it. Read ebay's buyers guide. It will keep you from getting burnt. I have purchased many things from ebay and am very satisfied with them. Good luck.

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Re: Buying new on EBay?
Nov 6, 2004 2:07AM PST

Good, concise advice!
Thank you very much sfilbert...

Brad

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Re: Buying new on EBay?
Nov 5, 2004 11:28PM PST

You've already gotten great advice on shopping alternatives. Now let me share some EBay use tips that should come in handy. I've been a regular user for several years now, and have had a minimal amount of trouble there. Certainly no more than the occassional glitch I've encountered shopping at a local or online retailer. By the way, in your shopping process, always include a visit to www.techbargains.com. They have compiled coupon deals & specials that often are terrific bargains.

1. Check Seller's feedback. You've gotten plenty of good advice here already. Try emailing questions and look for speedy and accurate responses. Occasionally I've had to deal with someone that doesn't have a great command of English. That can be frustrating and may simply not be worth the hassle if you aren't really communicating effectively.

2. Shop the item to find out what they sell for elsewhere. Pricewatch.com is great and even Googling the item to find user reviews and such are extremely valuable.

3. Use CNET's user reviews! I have to admit that sometimes the private user's comments are more valuable then the reviewers. Both, taken together, will give you an invaluable insight into the item's performance.

4. Use EBay's advanced search option to see how much the item has sold for in the past. (This is a great tool for finding out a value range for most ANYTHING.)

5. Wait for the end of the auction to bid. I repeat: "WAIT for the end of the auction to bid!" The only exception to this rule is utilizing the Buy It Now feature. When you bid early, all you do is raise the eventual sale price. Someone will always see your bid and bump it up. If there are a few days till the end of the auction, save the item to your My EBay page and use the Outlook option to put the sale end in your calendar.

6. Determine what your maximum price is for the gear. By now you now know how much you can buy it for at several outlets. If its not a reasonable deal, Pass On It.

7. A few minutes before the auction ends, log in and open 2 browser windows on your item. Enter your maximum bid on one and click the browser refresher on the other to watch the time remaining for the auction. If someone bids more than your max., move on. Make your bid a bit higher than round numbers. In checking past sales, you will notice that a lot of the successful bidders won by slightly odd amounts. Now you can chose to be a sneaky sniper or make your bid at any time. Thats a matter of personal choice. The same people who will always pay a bit more just to win the auction are watching too. The earlier you place your bid, the greater the chance that someone will keep trying to outbid you, even exceeding their own Max price decision. Some people literally wait until 3-5 seconds before the auction ends to place their bid. Even in those instances, someone else's bid may be higher than yours, but you've already determined how much the item is worth to you, so never mind!

When all is said and done, EBay can be time-consuming, but when used effectively, can save you significant dollars.

Good Luck!

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Re: Buying new on EBay?
Nov 6, 2004 12:24AM PST

Lots of good advice here. Let me recommend auctionsniper.com. You set up an account, and for a small fee auctionsniper will snipe the auction for you. I know some people don't think sniping is ethical, but you are simply throwing your bid in a few seconds before the auction closes. It helps you avoid getting caught up in the heat of the bidding. Decide the max you are willing to pay and auctionsniper does the rest. You can put a 'Snipe It Now!' link on your toolbar. Check it out!

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Re: Buying new on EBay?
Nov 6, 2004 3:20AM PST

mbiker,

I'm glad you came by! I inadvertently ran across auctionsniper recently and breezed on past without fully absorbing what they were selling. Then I started kicking around EBay looking for a good deal on new hardware and thought..."Dagnabbit!-what was that site that helps you win Ebay auctions?"...and you have supplied the answer.

Thanks!

Brad