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EBAY: Lessons Learned and How Not to Get Burned

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Started 8 months ago by numbersix
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numbersix

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I am a relative newcomer to ebay. Until I became interested in estate pipes, I really had no use for it..

But after several purchases, I've learned a thing or two. First thing I learned is that ebay can be a great resource and I am not afraid to buy from it, but I've also been burned.

Case in point, I purchased 2 Peterson estates from an ebay-rated "Top Reseller" with a perfect rating (100%). The photos on these 2 pipes showed absolutely no fills, and yet there were fills galore. I work in photoshop and these photos were clearly tampered with. Both were returned.

So the lesson here is, don't trust anyone, even with a perfect score. And always make sure the reseller accepts returns. Never, ever buy from someone who won't. I've seen quite a few that say no returns or exchanges—always double-check.

Second lesson I learned is, read the description VERY carefully. Read it 2 or 3 times even. Important info is often hidden in a paragraph of text.

Three: Check the dimensions of the pipe very carefully. Get a ruler and see how big the pipe will really be. If you have a pipe that's the same size, hold it in your hand to really gauge the size. Pipes look a lot bigger in photos. Also, with every single estate I've purchased, the stated size was not accurate - usually the pipe is just a little smaller - close enough where they can claim an error (one time it was way off, and this wasn't from an ebayer, but from a respected sponsor of this site! But I believe it was an honest mistake on their part and mistakes happen).

Four: Check where the reseller is located. I got really excited about one pipe, until I realized they were in S. Africa and shipping was $20. On that note, always check the shipping costs too.

Fifth, bidding can be contagious. One can easily get caught up in the frenzy of a bid and quickly go higher than makes sense. I've seen plain old used pipes (with no collector value) sell for more than a brand new one!

From reading the above you might be dissuaded from using online resellers or ebay, but for me, having the plethora of choices outweighs the problems. And as long as I can get a refund, I will continue to buy pipes online.

"Be seeing you" —Number Six, The Prisoner

Posted 8 months ago #
sixmp

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Good points. All true. I have seen all sorts of things on ebay over the years. Everything from fake guitars to flies in bottles being sold as pets

Ladies and gentlemen, take my advice. Pull down your pants, and slide on the ice.

Posted 8 months ago #
smokindawg

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Following such rules is a good idea. I've only been burned once and it wasn't on pipes.

Bidding safe and asking a lot of questions is a good idea.

That being said, if your willing to take a few chances you can really make some good purchases at great prices. I'm more the take a chance/ betting kind of bidder and it's paid of for me well on many occasions. Other times I got what I paid for. Also if you learn to do refurb work yourself (I learned early on) you can maximize your chance of getting some very nice pipes at terrific deals.

Steve: Pipemaker in Training!

Posted 8 months ago #
numbersix

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I should add that as much as I like ebay for the sheer number of choices, I do place more trust on the estates found on smokingpipes.com and similar resellers.

Posted 8 months ago #
mkelaw

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All good suggestions! A few more:

1. If the seller says something like, "I don't know anything about pipes, but..." proceed very carefully.

2. There are several well known, reputable ebay pipe sellers who have reputations to protect within the pipe smoking community. Find out who they are and use them.

3. Remember to ask whether the pipe will come to you completely cleaned & sanitized internally.

4. Even if a seller says he doesn't accept returns, if his description was inaccurate or omitted relevant facts, after you've tried to work it out with the seller, file a claim with paypal/ebay. They will help and will suspend your payment until it's straightened out.

5. Decide the maximum that you're willing to pay for a pipe and then use one of the snipe services instead of the ebay proxy bid process. The latter will only cause the bidding to be artificially raised by putting in incremental overbids until your max amount is reached. A snipe puts in just one bid at the end of the bidding in an amount sufficient to meet the minimum overbid.

Posted 8 months ago #
photoman13

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I always read the actual feedback of sellers before bidding. There is such thing as neutral feedback that doesn't hurt the seller's feeback score but I have seen some bad ones.

Also it is a good idea to look at completed listings for more info on how much pipes sell for.

Posted 8 months ago #
martiniman

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Also get the size of the pipe. I bought one that must have used an elf hand model to make it look bigger. It is a beautiful pipe, unsmoked but its tinnie winnnie.........

Posted 8 months ago #
TopD

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I've bought a lot of pipes via eBay.... but all you offered is really good information even for a seasoned
eBay buyer six...... We need to double check our cut-offs and pressure points ..... Thanks A Lot!

Steve 'Top' Downey
Master Sergeant
USMC - Retired

Posted 8 months ago #
scurvydog

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good points! I've only pulled the trigger once on Ebay...I scored a HR with Bari with a bourbon colored lucite stem. I have been looking for a bent bulldog with no luck.

Posted 8 months ago #
colcolt

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To date, I've had good luck with ebay except on one powder measure I ordered. He made good on it offering me $25 back if I wanted to keep it, which I did as they no longer make that particular measure(Ohaus) and I wanted a spare if I had to change parts. The inside of the measure has a chrome drum and the chrome had flaked-not a big deal but the photos showed it to look nearly as new but the drum wasn't shown.

As for pipes I can't complain about any I've gotten there so far.

Posted 8 months ago #
lumberjakpipester

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All very sound advise here, you always have to protect your own interests, but sometimes, the pipe(and price) is worth a gamble, just be ready for a few junkers before finding a treasure.

Posted 8 months ago #
sjpipesmoker

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All very great advise, I must be lucky, I've never been "had" when buying pipes off of eBay... I will make a stink until its fixed if something was wrong.

Posted 8 months ago #
sasquatch

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I ignore many sellers. They might be fine, might not, whatever. I have found a few really excellent sellers, who take GOOD pictures, accurate pictures, represent fills, often take the pipe apart and show the mortise and tenon and often get good shots of the drilling in the bowl.
Bruyerepipes out of Germany is probably my favorite vendor in this regard.

Posted 8 months ago #
Anonymous

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Separate the needs from the wants. You think this way it can be fun.

Posted 8 months ago #
gageploungin

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Great post! So far I've had pretty good luck on ebay.....5 pipes purchased and only 1 not working right. I got a refund for it.

“Does God want goodness or the choice of goodness? Is a man who chooses to be bad perhaps in some way better than a man who has the good imposed upon him?”
― Anthony Burgess, A Clockwork Orange

Posted 8 months ago #
deleon

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Great advice numbersix! I buy regularly on Ebay and the next purchase I'll be using your key points to avoid any wrong buys. Had one hustle happen to me last year.

Posted 8 months ago #
TopD

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I think I can contribute to this post. Keep in mind, this is just my opinion though. I've looked
at hundreds of Dunhills that are said to have the original stem. I have pipes I've smoked for 40
years and others I've had for a year. I compare the tooth marks, and they are exactly the same,
same depth, same 'tracks' if you will. After a year or so they don't get any deeper. I'd bet DNA
is only a bit closer to identifying an individual than tooth makes are. (sick)
But pipes advertized as having the 'original' stem that are from the 20's, 30's and 40's must have
come from hand grippers and not clinchers. "Read between the lines here guys, ladies".
If they say it's the original stem, I'd take that with a gran of salt if it's important you you.
Only so much can be ground off without making it paper thin.

Posted 7 months ago #
mkelaw

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Slightly off topic but there are certain easily identifiable characteristics of an original Dunhill stem. Originals were turned rather than from formed ebonite. Therefore, the airway will be in the exact center of the tenon. Also, you can often see the circular tool marks left at the shoulder of the tenon on the main body of the stem. Finally, because the tool used doesn't make a perfect right angle, there will be a slightly higher wedge of material between the tenon and shoulder, necessitating a chamfer at the end of the shank airway to accommodate the the extra material and allow a flush fit between stem and shank.

Posted 7 months ago #
wagnon85

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I ignore many sellers. They might be fine, might not, whatever. I have found a few really excellent sellers, who take GOOD pictures, accurate pictures, represent fills, often take the pipe apart and show the mortise and tenon and often get good shots of the drilling in the bowl.
Bruyerepipes out of Germany is probably my favorite vendor in this regard.

I have to concur...I recently bought a birth year Dunhill from Bruyerepipes (and another knee-jerk pipe). The birth year was a 1971 and the other was a 1978...he reamed the bowls, sterilized the stem, and polished everything. Both came looking like brand new pipes rather than ~40 year old ones.

And yes, all the information in the auction/listing is very well presented with lots of information and pictures.

Posted 7 months ago #
Al

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Great points and additions from mklaw. I'm trying hard to learn to spot a replacement Dunhill stem, but it is tricky

I actually like a very dirty pipe and/or bad pictures. A few of my favorite estates were attained for a song (less than $20) due to poor descriptions and pix. But, you better know what you are looking for. I watch a ton of pipes on my favored brands, which eventually gives you some perspective. I know going in that I'll be restoring them and would rather do that task myself anyway.

I learned NOT to buy a pipe using the phone app unless I viewed the pipe/pix in detail on the laptop. I burned myself last month with a GBD 9438 that has a large piece missing on the bottom of the button. The seller plainly described the broken piece and even had a picture, that I didn't view on my phone. I paid $40 for a pipe that might not be repairable (at least the original stem). Not an expensive lesson, but a lesson none the less.

Al

Posted 7 months ago #
Teddy

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WHAT A GREAT POST, I TOO SHOP AT EBAY FOR PIPES AND ALL THAT YOU WROTE IS TRUE .
THANK YOU

Posted 7 months ago #
mkelaw

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And don't forget weight in the description. If you're a clincher rather than a holder, you don't want to have to use a hoist to get it out off the box. Being the former, anything over 2 ounces is too much, especially if the stem is long.

Posted 7 months ago #
irishflake

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Yes- CLEAR PICTURES are helpful:

"Mount quickly and ride! There is a miasma over this village!"

Posted 7 months ago #
TopD

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Earth Quake Pipe@!

Posted 7 months ago #
Bulldog Mick

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This is sort of off-topic, but not exactly. I have never won a pipe on ebay because of sniping. Every (no exaggeration) auction I have tried to win has come down to a final 2-3 bids in the last 3 seconds. My question is, to you guys who ever actually WON an auction: is sniping the only way to win a pipe on ebay? That is a genuine question.

Just try one small bowl and you will forever more be a Grousemoor whore.

Posted 7 months ago #
numbersix

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s sniping the only way to win a pipe on ebay?

I would say, yes and no.

Depends on how many people are interested. If I see a pipe I want, and it's still has 5 days to go and there are already 4 bids, I know it's going to be near impossible to win. Too many already are showing great interest. More than likely someone is willing to go higher than me. If there seems to be little interest in an item, often you'll win it with no sniping.

But in all cases, when I really want something on ebay, I make sure I am there 15 mins before the end and am ready to place my highest and final bid 8 secs before it ends. I have won bids that way (I have never used a sniping service because I don't buy that much on ebay to justify it).

Decide beforehand your highest amount and then don't put that bid in, instead wait until the last minute to place it. If you place the bid early on, you're basically showing your hand to other bidders. In that way, it's almost like poker. If you hold off bidding, others will believe there's not a lot of interest and will have confidence that they don't have to watch closely.

I think it boils down to how much you want an item. It takes some effort, but all in all - not a whole lot.

Compare this with the hoards who park themselves outside an Apple store two weeks before a launch. Or the ones who get up at 2AM to be first in line on Black Friday. With ebay, you really don't have to work that hard, nevertheless, you get out what you put in.

Posted 7 months ago #
photoman13

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One rule I always do that usually helps with sniping is people tend to enter whole dollars or .50. So say a pipe is at 5.00 and I am willing to go about 10.00. I will probably put either 10.06 or 10.56. It helps I promise.

Posted 7 months ago #
Bulldog Mick

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See, last night I bid on a pipe with zero bids and I bid with less than ten seconds left and in the end, someone else won the pipe by beating the person who beat me, so it went from zero bids to three bids in the final 8 or so seconds. o.O I tried two more and they too got sniped, so it got me thinking. Anyway, thanks for the explanation, I think I just have to keep on trying.

Posted 7 months ago #
numbersix

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See, last night I bid on a pipe with zero bids and I bid with less than ten seconds left and in the end, someone else won the pipe by beating the person who beat me, so it went from zero bids to three bids in the final 8 or so seconds. o.O I tried two more and they too got sniped, so it got me thinking. Anyway, thanks for the explanation, I think I just have to keep on trying.

Wow - that has never happened to me before.

Well, there are automated snipe apps that may be responsible. I am not sure how close you can safely time those, maybe enough to accomplish what happened to you.

The way I see it, there are people who use ebay for their living—nothing wrong with that. They may have an antique store, or re-sell on ebay.

Either way, one thing is for sure, they are more determined than the rest of us to win because their livelihood depends on it.

Posted 7 months ago #
Al

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Auto sniping is becoming more prevalent. I lost a nice GBD Colossus yesterday that went for $22. I put in a $38 bid 15 seconds before the auction ended, but I was in the boondocks of NY on the side of the road and had no internet connection. No end snipe, but also no assurance my bid would have won the pipe. You never know the upper end of the highest bidder. I do hate tipping my hand on a pipe and if possible, try to bid in the last 15 seconds. If the auction ends at a weird time, sometimes that works (the one yesterday was around 2:30 PM Eastern).

Posted 7 months ago #
Anonymous

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I will also add this, if your having thoughts about any aspect of the item for auction ask questions. If you don't like what you hear or no reply I would have 2nd thoughts on bidding.

Posted 7 months ago #
Al

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I just grabbed this Comoys on Ebay, $23.XX. Pix and details not real strong. BUT, it looks like a 3-piece Comoys logo, which would be good thing. We'll see, I figured for less than $30, even a Cadogan era Comoys was worth that chance. Lesson or lucky? I'll let you know!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/370656253120?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

Posted 7 months ago #
lazydog

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I agree with photoman, adding 90 cents to my dollar amount. I place my final highest bid at 6 seconds and just grabbed a Nording nordcoat for 16 $.It so much depends on the interest in the pipe itself if anyone is sniping. Also as someone mentioned the time of the auction. I think the price of estates on Ebay have dramatically increased in the past year.

Posted 7 months ago #
mkelaw

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A few more comments on sniping, etc:

1. Even if your snipe is the highest bid at the end of the day, you will still not win if it doesn't meet ebay's minimum incremental bid.

2. I've sniped dozens of pipes with Auctionsniper.com. My setting is to bid with 3 seconds left. I've never lost a bid because my bid was late.

3. Sniping is not the only way to win a pipe (or anything else) on ebay but it is definitely the best way.

4. Sellers hate sniping because the person who wins with a snipe has not been increasing the bid price of the pipe throughout the auction.

5. If you decide the absolute most that you will pay for a pipe and bid it in the form of a snipe, you will never lose an auction to a snipe unless your max doesn't meet the minimum incremental bid.

Posted 7 months ago #
Al

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5. If you decide the absolute most that you will pay for a pipe and bid it in the form of a snipe, you will never lose an auction to a snipe unless your max doesn't meet the minimum incremental bid.

I don't think that is correct. If your snipe isn't above the max bid of the current bidder, they will outbid you in the last second by going to the next incremental bid (you'll never know their max bid). That has happened to me a few times, but I was at my limit on my snipe bid, so it wasn't to be.

Posted 7 months ago #
numbersix

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5. If you decide the absolute most that you will pay for a pipe and bid it in the form of a snipe, you will never lose an auction to a snipe unless your max doesn't meet the minimum incremental bid.

My read of this was that if you snipe in a "max" bid rather than an incremental bid that's just a $1 over seconds before the auction ends, others who bid incrementally won't have time to outbid you.

But of course if they also toss in a "max" bid over and above yours, they could snag it.

btw AL - nice score on that Comoys!

Posted 7 months ago #
mkelaw

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5. If you decide the absolute most that you will pay for a pipe and bid it in the form of a snipe, you will never lose an auction to a snipe unless your max doesn't meet the minimum incremental bid.

I don't think that is correct. If your snipe isn't above the max bid of the current bidder, they will outbid you in the last second by going to the next incremental bid (you'll never know their max bid). That has happened to me a few times, but I was at my limit on my snipe bid, so it wasn't to be.

Strictly speaking that's correct. What I was trying to say is that, having decided your absolute max, you would not be bidding higher anyway.

Posted 7 months ago #
Al

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Ah yes, I agree Dave.

Posted 7 months ago #
Al

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Another fuzzy picture, another good find at a great price. The Comoy's is indeed a pre-Cadogan "Patina" version with the 3 piece "C" logo. The briar is in great shape with some nice birdsye. The stem just needs a simple shine and two small dents to lift. I'll do a restoration thread on the pipe when I get home from the Richmond show.

Posted 7 months ago #
allan

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In searching the advice on auctionsniper.com, they recommend not less than 5 seconds, and depending on the day/time of the end of the auction e.g. Sunday night, 10 seconds, if I read the info correctly.

allan

Posted 4 months ago #
rmbittner

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I've bought quite a few pipes and tobaccos -- and guitars -- on eBay. And I think if you really want the best chance of snagging something, you really should use a sniping service. (I've used BidNip in the past.) Don't be put off by the fact that many eBayers use such services; they're extremely handy.

I'll also say, though, that even if you just use eBay's built-in bidding service, be sure to put in the maximum you're willing to spend. I know that sounds like a "Duh!" tip, but if a pipe or a tin ends up selling for more than that, you can take comfort from the fact that it went for more than it was worth to you.

A couple of other thoughts: If a pipe/tin has a "Buy It Now" option, and the price is reasonable to you, buy it. As soon as a single bid is placed on an item, the "Buy It Now" option disappears. (And often folks will place a very early bid solely to get rid of that option.) Highly desirable items will often go down to the last few seconds before any real bidding begins, because no one wants to jack the price up along the way. But whether you use a sniping service or eBay's own auto-bid feature, your bids will be part of that frenzy, up to the maximum you've stated.

Finally, don't be afraid to ask sellers questions. If a photo is unclear or something isn't mentioned in the text that you're curious about, ask. Often, a seller will be happy to post or send you additional photos and information. And be sure to scroll down far enough to see if any questions have already been asked/answered, in case your particular concern has already been covered. (These can even be good for an occasional laugh. I recently sold some GLPease Syrian tins on eBay and had a guy from overseas ask if I had any more tins. . . and if I'd be willing to save them for him when he visits the U.S. in April, since my listing stated that I wouldn't ship outside the U.S. Alas, I had to say no. )

Bob

Posted 4 months ago #
rmbittner

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mkelaw wrote:

4. Sellers hate sniping because the person who wins with a snipe has not been increasing the bid price of the pipe throughout the auction.

I can't speak for any other sellers, but as an occasional seller myself, I don't mind sniping at all. In fact, I expect it; it's how I've gotten most of my eBay items, and I'd be surprised if others weren't doing it too.

Whether an auction is sniped or not, though, there's always going to be a general reluctance to bid much in the days/hours leading up to an auction's end, because no one wants to see the price escalate. That shouldn't make any seller angry or upset; it's just basic human nature. As a seller, I reconcile myself with this fact by making the starting bid as reasonable as I can while also making sure that if that's all I get from the auction, that's okay.

Bob

Posted 4 months ago #
samcoffeeman

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I've used eBay for years, and also eSnipe. I highly recommend eSnipe for auctions. Your first 3 snipes are free I think, also I think you can enter my name as a reference if you sign up. I've had some learning experiences.
I once bought a car stereo that said new in box, and came obviously used. The seller would not answer my e-mails or respond to any communication. I got my money back eventually, but it took some time. Advice for when you do need to make a return, there is a link in your MyEbay by the item that says, "start a return." Use that link, once you process that, eBay gives the seller a certain amount of time to respond. Always pay with paypal, it protects you well and you will get your money back(eventually) if someone tries to defraud you.
I never buy clothes on eBay. You can't try them on first, don;t know if they fit right and often the color is off from the pictures.
As far as pipes are concerned, I have bought 3 pipes on eBay.
I purchased a David Jones. He is an american artisan pipe maker who sells all of his pipes on eBay as jones6725. Great transaction, great pipe, very happy.

I purchased a Randy Wiley pipe from peaceangel12000. The pipe was advertised as near mint, but when it was sent to me the seller advised me not to remove the stem. The stem had a broken tenon and was glued in place. The seller was helpful with the return process, but also was a blatant liar. Stay away from that one.
I purchased a Stanwell Jubilee from finnuch. He is a seller that says he does not know alot about pipes. Read his descriptions carefully. I am very happy with my pipe and it came as advertised. Some of his pipes are listed as "attributed to(attrib)", that means they are not necessarily by the pipe maker, and do not have nomenclature supporting it. However, you can bet some great deals on pipes from him. Be advised, the way he sells his pipes is he overprices them, and then when they do not sell, he relists them at lower prices until someone bids. I won this pipe for @$50, shipping included. My only complaint was that the stem had some oxidization, but was minor and came clean with a little bleach. Note: IT IS VERY HARD TO SEE STEM OXIDATION IN PICTURES.

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that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable Rights,
that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness

Posted 4 months ago #
numbersix

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@rmbittner:
A couple of other thoughts: If a pipe/tin has a "Buy It Now" option, and the price is reasonable to you, buy it. As soon as a single bid is placed on an item, the "Buy It Now" option disappears.

Good tips.

And I agree about sniping. I can understand sellers not liking it, but for anyone with a moderate amt of experience on ebay, sniping is the only way to win an auction at a decent price. It has become part of the bidding process.

samcoffeeman:
I purchased a Randy Wiley pipe from peaceangel12000...but also was a blatant liar. Stay away from that one.

I've seen that name before. I would also advise being wary of ShinyPipes. I caught them photoshopping out fills. They're tricky and not to be fully trusted IMO, but I did get my money back and I now know to ignore all of their listings.

I've been blatantly lied to by a few top-rated sellers, but in each case I rec'd my money back and as long as I receive my money back (even if I have to pay return shipping) - I will be happy to continue using ebay.

If one is patient, Ebay offers an opportunity to get pipes (etc) that I would not otherwise be able to afford.

Posted 4 months ago #
Al

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I just bought a Rogers Sheffield English pipe tool from ebay seller fnuch. Good communication, its hard to mis-represent a tool. It gets delivered today.
I got burned recently on a pipe trade, I'll do a separate thread on that lesson learned.

Posted 4 months ago #
rmbittner

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I would also advise being wary of ShinyPipes. I caught them photoshopping out fills.

That's shameful enough on its own. But then, when you look at a ShinyPipes eBay listing, you see the "company" banner proclaiming, "No Shady Pictures!"

Geez...

Bob

Posted 4 months ago #
foggymountain

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Six: I have many years of selling and buying on Ebay. Now I am winding down my camera store, internet only, for retirement. It used to do a very large volume on ebay and off. I have sold numerous pipes in the store as well. Here are some tips about ebay. Anything not as described is returnable whether it says no returns or not. It is a good idea to send several emails to a prospective seller. If you get a delayed response or a nasty or evasive answer do not buy from that person. If the rating is less than 98% favorable watch out. Pay by Paypal only. There are a lot of sleazos on ebay, but also many serious, honest, professional sellers.

Posted 4 months ago #
foggymountain

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Six: I have many years of selling and buying on Ebay. Now I am winding down my camera store, internet only, for retirement. It used to do a very large volume on ebay and off. I have sold numerous pipes in the store as well. Here are some tips about ebay. Anything not as described is returnable whether it says no returns or not. It is a good idea to send several emails to a prospective seller. If you get a delayed response or a nasty or evasive answer do not buy from that person. If the rating is less than 98% favorable watch out. Pay by Paypal only. There are a lot of sleazos on ebay, but also many serious, honest, professional sellers.

Posted 4 months ago #
pitchfork

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I would also advise being wary of ShinyPipes. I caught them photoshopping out fills. They're tricky and not to be fully trusted IMO, but I did get my money back and I now know to ignore all of their listings.

You mean like this one?

I mean, it's possible that fill is really, really dense. And thus, it warps space-time like some kind of black hole, thereby rendering the area around it, um fuzzy. Or it's Photoshopped.

Posted 3 months ago #
Al

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That is a pretty damning photo.

Posted 3 months ago #
rothnh

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The redhead uses Photoshop on her eBay photos to lessen glare, reduce shadows and, well, to basically improve minor imperfections remaining from the photos she takes of her items (she is a glass artisan). I'm fine with that -- no misrepresentation of the product.

But to use Photoshop to specifically enhance an item to deceive the prospective buyer is just awful -- anyone caught doing this should be banned.

Posted 3 months ago #
rmbittner

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Add to that the fact that that's a really bad retouching job!

Posted 3 months ago #
simenon

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Yeah that is actually a horrific abuse of Photoshop. They need to learn how to use the program...

Posted 2 months ago #
numbersix

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I missed this update about shinypipes - wow that is some bad photoshop work.

The fills she photoshopped on my pipe was actually well done - so much so that I took pics of the pipe in various angles just to see if I could snap it in a way that would hide the fills - and not surprisingly, the fills were impossible to hide without photoshop.

FWIW: I use photoshop for a living and have used it for 30 years, so I know how it's done.

So by all means, avoid shinypipes like the plague.

Posted 2 months ago #
rothnh

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My wife's out of town or I'd ask her this; I know it's definitely buried in the eBay rules somewhere, but I'm sure most of you puffers heavily into the eBay adventure know the answer:

How many complaints, misrepresentations, and other less than honorable actions are needed to get a seller banned by eBay? I'm sure it happens, I'm just curious as to what it takes and how often eBay does it.

Posted 2 months ago #
mustanggt

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I bought a few pipes from shineypipes and they are all fine smokers. I think you can be sure it will be a decent pipe for the money. I believe I have graduated from buying pipes like most of the ones she offers to better quality pipes. I don't care for the fact she photo shopped that one but she's worth taking a chance on alot of the cheaper ones. Buyer beware is the mantra.

Posted 2 months ago #
yadan

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"If the seller says something like, "I don't know anything about pipes, but..." proceed very carefully."

True, true. But often enough the seller doesn't admit to that. So yet another question that should be posed to the seller is whether he/she has attempted to take the pipe to pieces and reassemble it. (This is absolutely critical when dealing with metal pipes, which are my great pursuit.) Additionally, the seller should let you know if the airway is clear or obstructed. I recently purchased a pipe that was fine in every respect except for the blocked airway. This caused me a hell of a lot of work, although I did get compensated for it.

I fully agree that sniping is the best way to bid, and that a sniping service provides the most successful way of doing it. I've won my last six auctions that way.
One extra word of advice: If you are really intent on winning with a snipe, you should follow the action up till the end. Why? Because if during the last minute you see the bidding approaching your max, and can still afford to increase it, you'll still have enough time to do that.

"I'm always easy to please since I'm always satisfied with the very best." - Oscar Wilde

Posted 2 months ago #

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