0 for 2 so far on Ebay.

I've been trying hard to find an HD A2. Bought one on Ebay and the seller sent the box, but "forgot" to put the player in it. Next, I ordered one with some nice accompanying DVDs, but the packaging was so poor that the item came dented and with a broken face plate.

Moral of the story: Be very careful when purchasing an item like this used on Ebay. Wow!

Ebay sucks

Make sure to read all info on items. You can get some great deals. Two things I have learned..... make sure in case of electronics Item has been tested or its brand new. I bought a Hd player that was new in the box but had been opened when I got it. Also make sure they will allow it to be returned and they will pay the shipping and handleing. That issures the seller wants you to have the correct and working item. Insurance is a must on bigger items. I have learned from my mistakes. Hope this helps.

I have bought some very nicely priced electronics on e-bay and maybe got lucky cause no problems were to be had by me.I did ask two sellers to please double box my item and I would gladly pay an additional fee for the shipping and they both agreed so it worked out well.

I've been on Ebay for years and done hundreds of deals with very few problems. Sure, I've run across the occasional idiot, but for the most part it's gone well.

In fact, I got my Sony BD player through Ebay.

Just always pay with Paypal so that you can win disputes if your seller tries to rip you off. Never pay with cash or check. Also, I very very (almost never) buy from someone without a good history (i.e. at least 99% feedback and many transactions done).

I've been on Ebay for years and done hundreds of deals with very few problems. Sure, I've run across the occasional idiot, but for the most part it's gone well.

In fact, I got my Sony BD player through Ebay.

Just always pay with Paypal so that you can win disputes if your seller tries to rip you off. Never pay with cash or check. Also, I very very (almost never) buy from someone without a good history (i.e. at least 99% feedback and many transactions done).

Several things should be factored into the mix
1 Carefully read and re-read the offering completely.
2 Check feedback usually look for sellers with a lot of sales with good ratings
3 Return policy
4 Don't get caught up in the bidding frenzy, I have twice paid more than I could have bought an item from an online seller doing that.

I never buy from a seller with less than 10 previous deal and less than a 98+% rating.
There are plenty of good deals to be had and without saying if it sounds to good to be true, your probably on your way to a screwing.
Start a PayPal acct and use it for your own protection ( PayPal is owned by E-Bay)

Great advice. I try not to order items from sellers with less than 97% positive feedback and look for higher feedback (number of transactions-wise).


Several things should be factored into the mix
1 Carefully read and re-read the offering completely.
2 Check feedback usually look for sellers with a lot of sales with good ratings
3 Return policy
4 Don't get caught up in the bidding frenzy, I have twice paid more than I could have bought an item from an online seller doing that.

I never buy from a seller with less than 10 previous deal and less than a 98+% rating.
There are plenty of good deals to be had and without saying if it sounds to good to be true, your probably on your way to a screwing.
Start a PayPal acct and use it for your own protection ( PayPal is owned by E-Bay)http://photosnag.com/img/1856/y09w0131xdtc/82(2).gif

Great advice. I try not to order items from sellers with less than 97% positive feedback and look for higher feedback (number of transactions-wise).

of my purchases were with sellers who had 100% ratings.

I actually have begun to wonder if the current economic situation is causing some to sell with desperation on Ebay.

I have, by the way, ordered a third HD A2 which is supposed to include the original box and is supposed to be in excellent working condition.

of my purchases were with sellers who had 100% ratings.

100% ratings , but on how many sales? did they offer a return policy?

100% ratings , but on how many sales? did they offer a return policy?

while the other had 100. No official return policy ( which I need to keep in mind next time), but when something comes damaged due to poor packaging, that really demands a return. The first sale was fully refunded, while I put the second sale in dispute based on the damage. I'm wanting the seller to refund the item cost + shipping to me.

I've bought about 10 HD DVD players on ebay and did have one non working unit: an A20 that only played DVDs. I bought it from Dealtree for $31 shipped and they just refunded my money and told me to keep the player. Anyway I'm done buying HD DVD players but I've been happy with ebay in that regard (except one seller with only 24 feedbacks that took forever to ship me an XA2, but he did throw in a monster HDMI cable for the trouble).

I have bought two HD-A20s from eBay. The first one crapped out in a few months and will not play sound on SD DVDs or HD DVDs and I have it listed AS-IS on eBay right now for $10. I found a 2nd one on eBay a couple months ago for $50 and snatched it up and it seems to be working much better than the first one I purchased.

Hmm...
This is something to think about...
Amazon or eBay?

http://photosnag.com/img/3302/n09x0302vnsn/clear.gif

I have done about 1,000 transactions on eBay as buyer or seller, about 50/50 breakdown and I have been ripped off a few times. I do need to be more careful, I am too trusting and there is good reason to be skeptical about anything that sounds too good to be true. My biggest complaint are fees associated with selling. Sell a DVD or Blu-ray disc and collect through PayPal, the fee is about 20%. I have sold a few HD DVD players on eBay and the fee isn't as high but it is still very expensive and prices on most players are so low that messing with it isn't worth the trouble. I need to sell an HD-A1, an HD-A30 and a DV-HD805 soon but will try other sites first.

Chris

while the other had 100. No official return policy ( which I need to keep in mind next time), but when something comes damaged due to poor packaging, that really demands a return. The first sale was fully refunded, while I put the second sale in dispute based on the damage. I'm wanting the seller to refund the item cost + shipping to me.

It an item is damaged during shipping and you elected to purchase without shipping insurance, you might find you are at risk. If the listing is silent on that point, you have a better chance but if insurance is offered and you declined, you are at fault.

Chris

It an item is damaged during shipping and you elected to purchase without shipping insurance, you might find you are at risk. If the listing is silent on that point, you have a better chance but if insurance is offered and you declined, you are at fault.

Chris

Now, I'm waiting on the third unit to come. Then my stat will go to 1 for 3. For all you baseball fans out there, that is a .333 batting average -all star level. But when it comes to buying something on Ebay, I dunno. About a month ago I bought a Sony BDP-BX1 Bluray player, in wonderful working order on Ebay for $160. Still, Ebay feels like Vegas to me now. I don't go to Ebay to gamble, but to do honest and considerate business - both selling and buying. Overall, I would have to say that Ebay is probably a bit too on the edge exciting for me. My advice to myself and everyone else is to be very careful there - especially in this economy. It's sad, but reputations can go out the window when somebody needs money to pay their electric bill.

It an item is damaged during shipping and you elected to purchase without shipping insurance, you might find you are at risk. If the listing is silent on that point, you have a better chance but if insurance is offered and you declined, you are at fault.

Chris

Oh, so great. The buyer is responsible for shipping. I know if I buy something from an online store like Amazon and I get it damaged, they won't claim "well, you should have purchased shipping insurance". Up till now, I have trusted ebay sellers to provide proper shipping protection, both in terms of packing and insurance, and I have assumed the seller to be responsible if my item arrives in any condition other than what was listed. But from your comment (and I know you are very knowledgeable because you have sold a lot on ebay), I think I'll have to weigh the risk a little more against the price when purchasing electronics from ebay.

Well my most recent purchase I got scamed and I should have recognised it but its easy to be too trusting. I bought a 360 AO for $32 plus $6 shipping and handling. He said it was "new in the box" and for most this would mean its brand new. but now that I look back at the listing I now know it was not. First it did not included the remote ( which means the item was opened ). There was also nothing on the list that said it was tested and in working order. That was my second mistake. When i received the player the box had definiately been opened and the player looked like it had been used. I hooked it up and it would not read anything. I was not happy. I contacted the seller and he said I could send it back and he would refund me except for the shipping. and since I had to pay to send it back it cost me 10 bucks more. so in the end it costs me 32 plus 16 for a broken player. He still has not refunded me the money so I will have to report him. Even if I get my money back I lose 16 bucks ( ebay does not refund shipping ) so becareful when dealing on ebay. Make sure you know what you are getting. I have made over 50 purchases and sells. I have only had two transactions that have gone bad. I still love it. Good luck.

Oh, so great. The buyer is responsible for shipping. I know if I buy something from an online store like Amazon and I get it damaged, they won't claim "well, you should have purchased shipping insurance". Up till now, I have trusted ebay sellers to provide proper shipping protection, both in terms of packing and insurance, and I have assumed the seller to be responsible if my item arrives in any condition other than what was listed. But from your comment (and I know you are very knowledgeable because you have sold a lot on ebay), I think I'll have to weigh the risk a little more against the price when purchasing electronics from ebay.

Read the auction terms, it is perfectly legal to sell items with purchaser at risk of loss or damage by shipper. I believe that is legal in all 50 states. If insurance is offered and you decline to pay for insurance, the shipping loss or damage is your responsibility. I don't think that is too difficult to understand. The terms and shipper used need only be disclosed by seller and as buyer, you have the right to not purchase the item if you don't like the terms. Some sellers only sell items with insurance included and that is fine too, but it isn't the sellers fault if the shipper agreed to by buyer screws up.

Chris

Read the auction terms, it is perfectly legal to sell items with purchaser at risk of loss or damage by shipper. I believe that is legal in all 50 states. If insurance is offered and you decline to pay for insurance, the shipping loss or damage is your responsibility. I don't think that is too difficult to understand. The terms and shipper used need only be disclosed by seller and as buyer, you have the right to not purchase the item if you don't like the terms. Some sellers only sell items with insurance included and that is fine too, but it isn't the sellers fault if the shipper agreed to by buyer screws up.

Chris

Yeah, I guess not all of us read all the fine print, and tend to trust power sellers that they'll take care of you. If it arrives damaged, it's far more likely to be a result of inadequate packing, or the item was damaged to begin with. I'll just have to weigh shipping risks in the future on ebay electronics and other fragile items, or just take my business to a traditional online retail for stuff like this.

Yeah, I guess not all of us read all the fine print, and tend to trust power sellers that they'll take care of you. If it arrives damaged, it's far more likely to be a result of inadequate packing, or the item was damaged to begin with. I'll just have to weigh shipping risks in the future on ebay electronics and other fragile items, or just take my business to a traditional online retail for stuff like this.

ridiculous shipping terms if that is in fact so. In that case a seller can ship something poorly packaged (as in my case), and they are not responsible????

Paypal considers it to be a legitimate claim in an instance where something arrives damaged from shipping.

If those shipping terms are indeed so, then buying any significantly fragile item on Ebay is nothing more than a crapshoot for the buyer. Absurd. it'll sure make me think twice in the future before purchasing such items through Ebay.

The real point here, though, is that poor packaging of an item is not the shipper's responsibility but the seller's. In my mind, good selling means having respect for the item sold, and especially respect for the buyer which means safe and appropriate packing and not just throwing stuff in a beat up box. If a packaging is done well, then the shipper becomes potentially at fault for damages, and not the seller.

Yeah, I guess not all of us read all the fine print, and tend to trust power sellers that they'll take care of you. If it arrives damaged, it's far more likely to be a result of inadequate packing, or the item was damaged to begin with. I'll just have to weigh shipping risks in the future on ebay electronics and other fragile items, or just take my business to a traditional online retail for stuff like this.

It shouldn't be fine print but should be clear and part of the seller's terms. I have purchased many items accepting that risk, only because the price reflects the savings. Damage during shipping is rarely the fault of the seller, it is most often due to mishandling by the shipper. Of course the seller has responsibility for packing the item properly but UPS and the USPS do break packages.

Chirs

In many cases i like to ask the seller a few questions before bidding on eBay, if i want something that would cost me more than a bit of small change. If he responds, is able to write like a normal human being and makes sense, i normally have a good feeling and haven't had any trouble yet. If not, i stay away from the auction.

Lots of good advice in this thread. Again, I'd reiterate only going with a sellers whose already sold many items and has over a 99% feedback. In fact, I really would prefer very close to 100%. There are many sellers at 100 or high 99.x

The last bad experience I had was with a seller of many DVDs who had about a 98.5%. I won a dvd set and paid immediately with PayPal. Nothing arrived 2 weeks later, so I politely emailed. No response and another week later I emailed again. No response and another week later (now 4 since I paid) I emailed and initiated a PayPal claim. PP sided with me, and the set arrived a couple of days later (I guess they threatened to return my money if he didn't pay up). He then gave me neg. feedback!! I complained and Ebay later wiped his neg. after I emailed them a few times. I didn't like my 100% being ruined by a liar.

This from a seller with hundreds of sales and 98.5%!

Also, read the listing carefully. If something isn't mentioned (like a manual, remote control, etc.), you can't assume it will be included.
When I list stuff, I'm careful to include everything and post a picture of the actual item being offered. As a buyer, expect the same.

Lastly, walk away. Don't get caught up in auction fever. I've lost out on many, MANY more auctions than I won. Bid a fair price once and then don't check again until the auction is closed. Unless you're bidding on a true rarity, it'll come up again and again in auction listings.

Emailed the seller and asked when the item was shipped and no response since yesterday. When I sell I tell the buyer immediately that it was shipped, and when it would likely arrive. Being in the dark is not a considerate thing in my book. And, the beat goes on.

Nicely packaged ( original box and packing) came today UPS. Even the batteries are unwrapped. Hallelujah. I'm just delighted but, I have to say, my confidence in Ebay has still been shaken. If you're buying an HD DVD player on Ebay it's a good idea to a least make sure it's coming to you in the original packing as well as keeping in mind the ideas mentioned in former posts. Happy HD DVD viewing to you all.

Glad you finally got a good one. Enjoy!

Glad you finally got a good one. Enjoy!

Thanks!

This is not a complaint. Just an update from the battlefield. My 3rd player came beautifully boxed and pristine looking. It looked brand new. A SMALL issue soon surfaced with the HDMI port not functioning. Not good. See the thread above referring to no picture on the HD A2. Anyway, and this is all true mind you, I'm on attempt number 4. This one does look good. I actually talked by phone to this power seller. I actually got a UPS tracking number + a call back from the seller saying it was shipping. New in box, and tested. 7 day money back return policy for any reason. I know this one's a winner. Switching from my baseball metaphor, it's 4th down and I'm in the red zone.

Folks, you need wisdom and the eyes of an eagle when you buy one of these babies on Ebay. Scope out everything you possibly can about the unit before buying. Pay a little more if that assures a quality unit. A lot of people are looking for some quick money these days, and will sell you a bill of goods. Be careful. Ebay kind of reminds me of UHaul. UHaul is always an adventure in moving. In the case of Ebay, it's an adventure in buying.

This one's got to be the one that works and is actually in the box unbroken. I know it. I just have to be prepared to update the firmware to 4.0, and my trusty Toshiba 4.0 is waiting to load.

I just want to stress how important it is to always have a backup plan on ebay. If its something cheap, be prepared to lose the money. If its something expensive, use a credit card and have your dispute telephone number handy (some will even let you start one on their webpage now). Only use paypal with a credit card! Don't ever send a check/money order! Don't let ebay/paypal jerk you around until its too late for you to make your claim. They do try to stall you.

I sent a cashier check for $300 for a cell phone last year. Seller was ebayer since 2001 over 500 feedback without a single negative. Well I never received it, only a tracking number to a "lost package" which supposedly wasn't addressed to me anyways. So be careful very careful.


Another thing I have found, whenever someone opens up a ebay dispute. Their (bad) feedback from the transaction is removed! I've seen it happen on several occasions. The feedback system is VERY flawed.

though it may seem like I hate ebay, I don't and still use it, though not as much. Its still saved me way more money then I have lost

It came today from California. No manual (it's on the web anyway). but the HDMI port works, the optical port works, and it came packaged in its original box. It came with firmware 1.3 which I swiftly upgraded to 4.0. Looks as if I've finally got me a winner!

Still, as others have said, I've learned to be very careful on Ebay. I did recently get a good deal on shoes there, but shoes don't have HDMI ports - well, at least the ones I've got. :)

Congrats (again :p) on finding one that works.

Congrats (again :p) on finding one that works.

Thank you.

Are you very care how many postive feedback a seller have????

Are you very care how many postive feedback a seller have????

I am and I have a 100% rating by the way. My eBay ID is hd_goofnut and I sell SD DVDs quite frequently. Chris Gerhard here has a very high ebay rating as well.

Ebay sucks

agree with you :)