EBAY: Lessons Learned and How Not to Get Burned

[numbersix]

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.

 

[sixmp]

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

 

[smokindawg]

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.

 

[numbersix]

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.

 

[mkelaw]

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.

 

[photoman13]

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.

 

[martiniman]

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.........

 

[topd]

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!

 

[scurvydog]

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.

 

[colcolt]

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.

 

[lumberjakpipester]

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.

 

[sjpipesmoker]

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.

 

[sasquatch]

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.

 

[gageploungin]

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.

 

[deleon]

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.

 

[topd]

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.

 

[mkelaw]

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.

 

[wagnon85]

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.

 

[ssjones]

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.

 

[crazypipe]

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

THANK YOU ::