Ebay Advice

Kinda · Apr 28, 2008

I've been looking to buy a Yamaha 62 sax and sent an email to a seller about one he had on ebay. From the description and price its perfecto but when I sent him an email asking to see it he's told me he travels a lot and that its not possible.

I think he's frustrated that he believes it to be perfect and perhaps it is from the photographs but my main reason I wanted to see it was to make sure it wasn't a scam and that he had one. He has a good record and I can understand his frustration but how do I get round this one (not very experienced with ebay).

Buy it and then ask to see it before I pay me money and since I'm using paypal there is of course always a risk.

Any advice, I know the low risk method is to view but it seems to me that most sellers don't seem used to being asked to view as I'm interested in another sax (trying to decide which one) and they haven't even bothered to reply and its near the end of its sale period.

Jules · Apr 28, 2008

I'd walk away from this one. Refusal to let you see it sounds pretty fishy to me. YAS62s come up regularly on Ebay, you'll not be missing out on a one off opportunity.

philthd · Apr 28, 2008

seconded

unless its dirt cheap and you can afford to take the risk

Pete Thomas · Apr 28, 2008

Kinda wrote:

Buy it and then ask to see it before I pay me money and since I'm using paypal there is of course always a risk.

That is actually against the rules, your bid is a binding contract to buy. The legal approach is to buy then dispute.

My only negative is due to me going to pick up a "near mint" Grafton, only to find it disintegrate in my hands, and walking away after politely pointing it was not as described.

In the case of this 62, it could well be that the seller is not around to show you, if in doubt or unless you are a gambler, stay away.

Col9 · Apr 28, 2008

1 rule for ebay - assume the worst. I havnt been stung yet as such but I have bought a few "as new" items which have been 5yrs+ old and played to hell and back.

Go with your gut instinct, if you have doubts and cant afford to loose some value (who can) then leave it.

Col.

suethesax · Apr 28, 2008

What they all said ⇑⇑⇑

PaulyT · Apr 28, 2008

Hi Frank,
I have not bid on items on Ebay where the vendor has been less than co-operative. My philosophy is that if I "miss this boat, there'll be another one on the next tide".
Good Luck with it,
Paul

Djangette · Apr 28, 2008

Hi Kinda,

I sell music stuff mainly on ebay - once upon a time I had a real life music shop too - remember those? Punters - oops 'customers', used to come in and fiddle faddle about all day before buying a couple of plectrums! Hence closure of the premises and 'virtual' selling.

Maybe I'm old-fashioned and I do think it's kinda weird taking a punt for serious money on an instrument you haven't handled, but I've done it and my customers do it and it seems ebay is here to stay.

Caveat Emptor - what does he mean 'travels a lot'? Don't we all? - maybe he's travelling near you @ some point and could let you have 10mins with the horn you're potentially gonna spend money on? Could be seller has lot going on in his life, but doesn't sound like he has good attitude, which could rebound if you do have problems. If he's too busy to be nice to people before the sale . . .
Lots of warning bells there - has he sent you large pics from all angles of the instrument? Does he accept cash on pick-up/delivery? If so you will be able to see the instrument before parting with cash and if he's not described it properly then don't pay for it - argue it out on ebay later.

As everyone else has said if it doesn't feel right don't buy - on the other hand ebay sellers are human (well some of us are) - sometimes we have a life - I recently unexpectedly missed the end of one of my sales due to visiting sick friend in hospital - got back to find 6 last minute messages from buyers. The darned thing was on sale for 10 days, why did they have to wait till last hours to ask questions? So maybe email the other guy again - if no response then leave that one too.

It's all about communication - ask lots of questions and, like real shops, if you don't like the answers or the attitude walk away and take your business elsewhere.

Kinda · Apr 28, 2008

Hi all

The reply was the same and referred me to the ebay site!!!

I've given up since while I don't think she realises how off putting it is and also ebay is a risk and I just want to lessen the risk so good luck to her.

For me I was trying to understand what is the norm when it comes to instruments and it seems from what you say that not everyone wants to see them in real time.

Anyway as you have all advised its my money and I should be in the driving seat so I'm excercising my right to abstain. I would rather have more certainty and if this means waiting and paying a bit more so be it.

griff136 · Apr 28, 2008

I buy and sell a lot of musical items on ebay and for what its worth here's my advice.

1. Check the sellers feedback.

2. ask if you can pick it up and pay cash if you win - even if you are going to pay by paypal - if they say no dont go near it.

3. I always ask for more pictures and of a particular area of the item where they are unlikely to have a picture - if they say they cant provide any more - i dont go near it.

4. any seller who is" on the road a lot, going on holiday, will be away from the computer etc etc - i dont go near it.

5. always ask as many questions as you can, particularly about the condition - keep the replies in your hotmail/email folder - if its not as described you have proof.

and finally dont leave any feedback until r you are 100% happy with the item you sell or once the purchaser is happy with his/her item and has left some feedback for you.

Bobby G · Apr 28, 2008

I heartily agree with Griff's point number 2 - both times I've bought horns (my lovely YAS62 and a YTS23) I've met with the vendor and paid cash; apart from preferring to deal in real cash money for such things you also avoid the risk of something valuable being bashed about in transit. So far I have not been stung even when buying mouthpieces on a few occasions.

Djangette · Apr 29, 2008

<agrees with Bobby G and Griff

When I buy I prefer to pay cash on pick-up/delivery - a seller that doesn't offer this option might be suspect and/or bonkers . . . I'm predominantly a seller and like to have folding money as I don't have to pay PayPal's exorbitant fees. Grrrrrr

You do have other options besides ebay - you seem to be looking for a particular instrument so why not put a 'wanted' ad on this sites Yard Sale?

There are also other musical instrument sites where you can place an ad free of charge, you may have to wait a while, have to negotiate a good price yourself, etc. But mostly you'll be dealing with previous owner so should be able to get full info.