Electrical stuff on E-Bay

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davedottcom

davedottcom

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Has anyone had any luck..good or bad with selling or purchasing any Electrical items/bargains on E-Bay?
I saw tons of items but practically no bids for them.


Dave
 
Re: Electrical stuff on E-Bay

I have bought lots of antique and vintage electrical items and books with good results, but don't think I would try anything new.
 
Re: Electrical stuff on E-Bay

I buy about 2K a month of material and tools on eBay, and have never been burned. Sometimes the items have shown up not exactly as described, but I can always hash that out with the seller. There are some categories where people seem to get jipped on a regular basis (electronics, computers), but in the 'Business and Industrial' stuff, I find only honest people. I've been able to obtain tools and equipment for my business that I otherwise might have not been able to afford. It's nice to find a NIB I-Line breaker for 5 bucks versus paying 50 bucks at the supply house. I generally check eBay first to see if there's any new/surplus material for upcoming jobs when I have some lead time available. Just the other week, I got a box of 20,000 red plastic T&B wall anchors for 20 bucks. That'll be enough to last the rest of my lifetime.
 
Re: Electrical stuff on E-Bay

I have been buying and selling on eBay since '98 and have always had good luck. You need to do your research and make sure you know how much you would pay for something locally since it is not always a good deal on eBay. I know my boss also buys/sells alot of stuff on eBay including many electrical tools.
 
Re: Electrical stuff on E-Bay

I've used it for simple things during the last 5 years: electrical tools, bedding, phone cards, & gifts for family, usually at a substatial bargain.

But, 2005 saw more merchants not returning email, or phones messages after overpriced, & inflexible shipping delays.

More large resellers with exclusive UPS accounts costing me 11 days and $4 shipping to get a pin number for a prepaid calling card, which used to be emailed for free.

eBay is also getting crowded, as I'm loosing more bids to sneaky broadband users durring the last few seconds. More household stuff is being found locally.
 
Re: Electrical stuff on E-Bay

Ive done fairly well buying new/used tools on ebay. 50% of retail on new real brand name tools is a thing of the past. 30-40% off retail is what your goal should be on anything new. Used portable milwaukee band saws are ridiculous on ebay. I got a new one for 195 when used was going 180. Holehawg for 200 new. Anything hilti goes top dollar. Deals are better on the really big stuff, where every tom dick and harry cant afford to bid on it.
 
Re: Electrical stuff on E-Bay

I have bought and sold on EBay and have enjoyed the cyber business trade. It would be wise to always check the sellers "feedback", it is a good indicator of whom or what your dealing with. If you have any reservation as to the condition of a product, post your question publicly. Ask questions, use common sense, and caveot emptor:) PS: you cant beat the NIB (new in box) deals.
 
Re: Electrical stuff on E-Bay

I buy and sell on E-bay with very few problems, but like was said check feedback on the seller and watch the shipping costs on items. One of the biggest scams on ebay is in the shipping charges. People will sell a $20 item for $5 and charge $20 for shipping and in the end it ends up costing $5 more than if you went to the corner to purchase it.
 
Re: Electrical stuff on E-Bay

Originally posted by hunt4679:
People will sell a $20 item for $5 and charge $20 for shipping and in the end it ends up costing $5 more than if you went to the corner to purchase it.
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Capitalism at it's best...they do this to avoid ebays 'final value fees' which are not assessed on shipping charges.

Technically its a violation of ebay rules, but a lot do it without being caught.
 
Re: Electrical stuff on E-Bay

I bought some old christmas lights on ebay once. That was the first, and last time I ever used it.

Some of these great tool values sound pretty suspicious to me. A brand new hole hawg for $200? Yeah, I'm sure that was obtained honestly. :roll:
 
Re: Electrical stuff on E-Bay

Originally posted by hunt4679:People will sell a $20 item for $5 and charge $20 for shipping . . . .
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Aren't the shipping costs stated on the same web page as the description of the item? Anyone who gets caught in that scam must take part of the blame. They should have paid closer attention before placing a bid.

I have bought stuff from eBay perhaps a dozen times, but have not offered anything for sale. I was caught in one attractive looking scam, and it cost me $30. All other experiences have been very positive.
 
Re: Electrical stuff on E-Bay

A brand new hole hawg for $200? Yeah, I'm sure that was obtained honestly. :roll: [/QB]
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In all honesty, I havent the slightest idea where some of this brand new stuff comes from. Perhaps stolen trailers, "short" shipments, dont know.
Fact of the matter is, its new and someone will buy it. Im not going to get in a moral quandry if its something I need and I can save 40% in buying it.
I do know this, the used stuff being sold by the many pawn shops listing on ebay is more likely to be stolen, but Im not the tool police, just an ebay shopper.
 
Re: Electrical stuff on E-Bay

Originally posted by blackrd:
Im not going to get in a moral quandry if its something I need and I can save 40% in buying it.
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Oh, I see, it's all about the money. :roll: I will never purchase anything stolen or something where its origin cannot be determined. I would much rather pay the extra $100 for the hole hawg at Home Depot.

When you buy something stolen, you are supporting the thieves and the black market. And I have to pay more for it at Home Depot because Milwaukee has to raise their prices because their shipments keep getting "lost." :roll:
 
Re: Electrical stuff on E-Bay

going from fear to assertion, conviction, then to opprobrium, without any substantiation whatsoever is onerous. I find the assumption of guilt more problematic than the possible crime.

I can think of several ways that new equipment is sold on line. your rush to judgement is typical of shallow and mean spirited people, convinced of their own rightness by the lack of self examination, whether by nature or inclination.

There are people who specialize in buying overstock, bankruptcies, business auctions and sell on-line and elsewhere.

pawn shops are well scrutinized in most areas and are required to post serial numbers of power tools.

even flea markets are being regulated.

paul :cool:
 
Re: Electrical stuff on E-Bay

Originally posted by apauling:
going from fear to assertion, conviction, then to opprobrium, without any substantiation whatsoever is onerous. I find the assumption of guilt more problematic than the possible crime.

I can think of several ways that new equipment is sold on line. your rush to judgement is typical of shallow and mean spirited people, convinced of their own rightness by the lack of self examination, whether by nature or inclination.

There are people who specialize in buying overstock, bankruptcies, business auctions and sell on-line and elsewhere.

pawn shops are well scrutinized in most areas and are required to post serial numbers of power tools.

even flea markets are being regulated.

paul :cool:
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Great speech Paul. :cool:
 
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