Experiences with eBay.

[MattRVA]

I used to get caught up in eBay auctions, typically losing to a sniper and fretting over missed opportunities. It was unhealthy for me so I stopped, the prices are so ridiculous now it’s easy to avoid, however, it is still possible to stumble across a gem I suppose. One thing I learned is that the sting from missing some pipes is still fresh although I’m glad I no longer use eBay as much. Hopefully you’ll be able to replace the missed opportunity in the near future.

 

[Indygrap]

I’m about 70/30 for eBay transactions. Some sellers knowingly omit flaws & hope you don’t zoom in on the pictures. Some sellers are completely honest & work hard to get you the item. I save the good ones & don’t even bother with sellers that have burned me. Unfortunately even ratings aren’t foolproof. Bought a pipe from a seller, paid within a few hours of winning the auction, annnddd waited to receive shipping info. For 3 days. Finally contacted seller, no reply for another 12 hrs. Threatened to cancel the charge on my card & report them to eBay. That got a response! Tried to shift the blame to me, saying “in the description I said it wouldn’t ship for 3-5 days after payment was received.”(it didn’t) I cancelled the charge on my card & I got a tracking number the next day. LSS I got the pipe, but it wasn’t as described. Still have it as a reminder. The seller had a 100% rating.
However, I’ve bought from several other sellers & if there was an issue, they did everything they could to fix any issues, even if it wasn’t their fault. A lot of snafus are the result of USPS, but using anyone else makes shipping costs too high.
Sorry you got burned. I’ve had great results & even made friends with a couple of sellers that have their own site & are a joy to work with. Check out Pulver’s Prior Briar & maybe they can find what you’re looking for. Marty is (painfully) honest, provides great pics & written descriptions, & has fair pricing. No bidding or chance of losing out to a higher offer. First come, first served with him.

 

[Hope]

I think I didn't make it clear, please forgive my poor English, I mean, we had agreed on a price, he accepted my offer, then went back on his word and told me he was going to sell to another seller , I am very sorry that this happened. Again, I think the transaction must be fair, and I respect his choice, but integrity is also important, isn't it?

 

[AroEnglish]

I think I didn't make it clear, please forgive my poor English, I mean, we had agreed on a price, he accepted my offer, then went back on his word and told me he was going to sell to another seller , I am very sorry that this happened. Again, I think the transaction must be fair, and I respect his choice, but integrity is also important, isn't it?

Absolutely integrity is important. I think the only recourse is to not do business with the seller again.

 

[Searock Fan]

Years ago I posted a nice Castello Sea Rock Chimney on Ebay and forgot to put a reserve. Then I forgot about the pipe till I was notified it had sold. I wasn't very happy when I saw it went for $40. Should have been about $150 I figured. My mistake, but instead of making up some b.s. reason and not going on with the sale I shipped it off to the buyer. The point is, if you make a deal, you should keep it.

 

[AroEnglish]

Years ago I posted a nice Castello Sea Rock Chimney on Ebay and forgot to put a reserve. Then I forgot about the pipe till I was notified it had sold. I wasn't very happy when I saw it went for $40. Should have been about $150 I figured. My mistake, but instead of making up some b.s. reason and not going on with the sale I shipped it off to the buyer. The point is, if you make a deal, you should keep it.

I am forever grateful that I got that pipe for $40. Just kidding, though I wish saw this pipe and snagged it for $41.

 

[Peterson314]

I think I didn't make it clear, please forgive my poor English, I mean, we had agreed on a price, he accepted my offer, then went back on his word and told me he was going to sell to another seller , I am very sorry that this happened. Again, I think the transaction must be fair, and I respect his choice, but integrity is also important, isn't it?

I don't understand what happened.

Did you do that through the platform or around the platform (like PM's or email)? I can submit an offer, we can chat, and even if the seller agrees through PM's, it's void if someone submits him a better offer in the meantime.

I'm sorry one got away, but either he got a better offer or you were working around an active listing.

 

[lraisch]

I have generally had good experiences with Ebay sellers. I recently had a seller fail to reply after I asked a question, but they did get back to me a week later and the transaction was fine from there on.

Today I received an estate pipe from an Ebay seller, that was well packed in a new case with a new pipe sock. Promptly shipped and carefully packaged. Since they accepted an offer of a third less than the asking price, I guess you can't ask for much more.

 

[Hope]

Thank you, this is a really great place, everyone is so welcoming, and thank you for sharing your experience.

I think I will continue to look for the pipes I like and pay attention to some reputable sellers. For that person, or this type of seller, I can only choose to accept it. After all... Integrity is the constraint we impose on ourselves.

Thanks again.

 

[Sigmund]

Most my experiences on ebay habeen good but you have to be prepared for dig bats. Seems pipes have gotten really expensive. You can often get better deals with estates that are from outfits like smoking pipes eu. I try not to look too often….temptation.

 

[Cloozoe]

I have never had a good experience with EBay...

And I have had very very few bad ones in 24 years. You must be even tougher and more difficult than my wife.

 

[Call Me Late]

And I have had very very few bad ones in 24 years. You must be even tougher and more difficult than my wife

Amazing two people have not had the same experience. Glad I’m not your wife.

 

[sablebrush52]

eBay is mixed. Most of my transactions have been smooth, but not all of them. And, there are a number of sellers who either don't know much about what they're selling, or are sometimes flat out crooked. In any event, you do get some protection from eBay if you are forced to file a dispute.

 

[elvishrunes]

I see Fleebay as a thrift store/junk shop, you may find amazing undervalued finds or rubbish from scammers…. However, at least in a thrift store you can hold the merchandise.

I once searched a famous pipe maker on EBay, and clearly they were knock off pipes.

 

[georged]

I do not want to sound like the asshole that I may be...

I just now asked this group of girls who are partying in my back yard about that.

I said, "You all know ashdigger on the Kevinboard, right?" Their eyes widened and they swooned while nodding yes in unison like mezmerized puppies.

"OK... Is he an asshole?"

They said no. Absolutely not.

So there you go. No more wondering.