looking for treasure on E.bay

For the most part, just keep your wits about you. Give yourself a maximum limit, and don't get into a bidding-war. Also, make sure you research the kit a little before you bid on it. I've gotten some good deals myself, but there are a few times I stepped back and said "I could buy the kit at my LHS for less than that".

Joshua

As for me, I LOVE ebay...... I have bought and sold a lot on there and so for never had anything go bad. I just won a Tamiya Corsair Model that if I would have gotton it at my LHS it would have been 38 bucks and I got it on ebay for 23, Not to bad if I may say so  hehehhehhe

Just READ everything, See what the S/H is, See where they will ship too, and see if they have any BAD Feedback. I will not bid on anything if someone has BAD Feedback. But that's just me. And if you see a model you like look for more on ebay, you might find one cheeper.

Good Luck

Bud

Uh oh i got more competition on E-bay. I've not had any problems on e-bay so far, you just have to be careful with who you deal with. There are some definite ones I do not deal with at all! I should post his seller id but I won't. As for Pay-Pal that is the only way I pay and Itake it when I sell stuff.
The way I base my bids is by using what the hobby shops online sell the stuff for and then factor in shipping also, thats how I work my bidding and Definitely do not get in a bidding war more than likely somebody else is selling it too.
   Best deal so far Dragon 1/35 Jagd-Tiger $11.51 plus $5.00 shipping

I've been buying on eBay for almost 9 years. Never had a real problem of note. You just have to shop smart and always ask how much shipping is before bidding (if it is not stated). The current trend with sellers is to "gouge" on (charge excessive amounts for) shipping.

Sellers do this to minimize the amount of money they have to pay to eBay.

I recently won a kit for $1.55. I know the seller did not think he got what he expected. He then sent me an eBay invoice for $14.30 parcel post shipping and a mandatory $1.35 for a total of $15.65 to send a model via slow boat from a town less than 200 miles away. This did not include the final bid price of $1.55.

I told him to send me a realistic shipping amount or I would report him for excessive shipping. I promptly paid the $1.55 for the kit by PayPal. I told him he would not be able to claim that I never paid for the kit.

I have not had any bad experience purchasing on Ebay or with Paypal.  I always pay within a day of winning the bid.  I did however, had problems with some buyers (that that's different story all together).  Make sure you check seller's rating, S/H charge and see if there are any hidden charges there.  If s/h is not listed, then make sure you contact the seller.   

Jabbe wrote:

For the most part, just keep your wits about you. Give yourself a maximum limit, and don't get into a bidding-war. Also, make sure you research the kit a little before you bid on it. I've gotten some good deals myself, but there are a few times I stepped back and said "I could buy the kit at my LHS for less than that". Joshua

I have never had any major problems buying on Ebay.  I personally think the benefits of the great deals far outweigh any negatives.  Just meticulously study the descriptions and be sure to know the shipping costs before bidding. 

 

Only problem I ever had was a *brand new* Tamiya Marder wasn't shrinkwrapped.  If memory serves, I got the kit for $17.50 and $6 for shipping as opposed to the $35 at my LHS.  Needless to say, I would gladly forego the pleasure of  unwrapping to save $12.....

Rob Gronovious wrote: "I told him to send me a realistic shipping amount or I would report him for excessive shipping. I promptly paid the $1.55 for the kit by PayPal. I told him he would not be able to claim that I never paid for the kit."

Interesting, I'd like to know how the issue was resolved.

Abdiel wrote:

Rob Gronovious wrote: "I told him to send me a realistic shipping amount or I would report him for excessive shipping. I promptly paid the $1.55 for the kit by PayPal. I told him he would not be able to claim that I never paid for the kit." Interesting, I'd like to know how the issue was resolved.

The same thing happened to me. Seller inflates a shipping cost of a 1lb. model to $26, I refused to pay it and said I would contest it with E-bay. The seller emailed me saying he mistyped the cost to ship the $6 model and it should of been less. I passed on the whole deal. In total I've purchased alot of models on Ebay and in general..no problems to speak of. As said know your stuff and I also use PayPal with zero problems.............stay

Glamdring wrote:

I have never had any major problems buying on Ebay.  I personally think the benefits of the great deals far outweigh any negatives.  Just meticulously study the descriptions and be sure to know the shipping costs before bidding.    Only problem I ever had was a *brand new* Tamiya Marder wasn't shrinkwrapped.  If memory serves, I got the kit for $17.50 and $6 for shipping as opposed to the $35 at my LHS.  Needless to say, I would gladly forego the pleasure of  unwrapping to save $12.....

i hardly had a problem ever with ebay sellers and my buyers.  only in one case there was a take the money n run problem.  i'd ditto on the make sure you know the shipping before you bid route. 

it's interesting that last time i took a trip to china, their NEW tamiya kits are all unwrapped.  i think it's a Customs thing.  the same thing happens to some west coast sellers as they import their stuff from hongkong or watever.  but for less than half of the LHS prices, i'd take any opened kits i can find as long as the decals are good.  in several cases however, the kit decals yellowed pretty bad and wasn't mentioned in the auction description, so one might want to confirm that too if you don't see it in the picture.

Check the seller's rating. I always see how they accept payment too. I've had no problem with paypal, it's easy and safe as far as I can tell. Half my kits are ebay buys. Nothing stikes the engine more than beating out someone by a few cents.

I have also used ebay and never had any problems! Just use the tips provided and you should be fine...

On the subject of Paypal, if you remain a buyer you can't lose.  It won't cost you anything and can give you a come-back if problems arise with the item.  As long as the payment has come off your credit card and not your balance in Paypal (if any) you can reverse the payment through your card company.

Paypal doesn't like you doing this but it's quite legit. My financial institution only requires that I give them proof of posting the item back and wait for a reasonable time for it to have been delivered to the seller.  Then they reverse the payment.  After 30 days you can't pursue a seller through Paypal but that doesn't apply to your card  issuer.

Don't deal with anyone who insists on a surcharge if you use Paypal.  They're not supposed to do it.

Lots of good tips as usual.... I was just a bit wary of Pay-pal after reading some negative things about their business practises and customer services....

          Ok....No pain,no gain...I think i will dip my toe and go for something small first.....Taking note of everything you have said.

                                                       Jim.

I think everything you need to know has been posted. Look at the feedback score, make sure you ask the seller how much shipping is, and btw, you have a right to ask for a shipping receipt. Also, if buying from a country outside of your own, make sure the guy factors in customs tax and doesn't lie on the damn shipping label. How many times I've had someone from the US (and I live in TO) skimp out or lie about something on the shipping label, and I'll pay my money for shipping, then have to pay a damn customs tax on top of it.