Angry Ebay Seller

[alletric]

I have seen all the warnings about buying off Ebay but have not seen as much to sellers. I buy and sell quite a bit on Ebay but have about had it. You know the scammers are out there and the russian mob, but the worst is the average ignorant troller on Ebay. Right now I am selling an 89 Prostar 190. I know the economy is in the toliet but I figured we would just see. 20 people have told me how bad the economy is so the boat is worth 3000. Thanks but I didn't ask. One wants to know if he wins the boat will I meet him half way between Georgia and Maine. Another between Kansas and Georgia. At no extra charge. So I am going to seel the boat for 3000 and then burn that much in fuel to deliver the boat to them. The best....Is it still under warranty and does it leak. Where do you start with either one of them. I know it is dealing with the public but lord there is not anybody with any sense on there any more. On the 6th email with one cat about what prop the boat had and how it ran I find out that he has the same boat and was just wondering what I recomended, I told him that is what Team Talk is for. I have another 200 examples but was wondering what stories everyone had. I knw I am not the only one.

[east tx skier]

I have seen all the warnings about buying off Ebay but have not seen as much to sellers. I buy and sell quite a bit on Ebay but have about had it. You know the scammers are out there and the russian mob, but the worst is the average ignorant troller on Ebay. Right now I am selling an 89 Prostar 190. I know the economy is in the toliet but I figured we would just see. 20 people have told me how bad the economy is so the boat is worth 3000. Thanks but I didn't ask. One wants to know if he wins the boat will I meet him half way between Georgia and Maine. Another between Kansas and Georgia. At no extra charge. So I am going to seel the boat for 3000 and then burn that much in fuel to deliver the boat to them. The best....Is it still under warranty and does it leak. Where do you start with either one of them. I know it is dealing with the public but lord there is not anybody with any sense on there any more. On the 6th email with one cat about what prop the boat had and how it ran I find out that he has the same boat and was just wondering what I recomended, I told him that is what Team Talk is for. I have another 200 examples but was wondering what stories everyone had. I knw I am not the only one.

Bought my current boat on ebay. Sold my last boat to a TT member, but had a buyer through a "best offer" auction on ebay. Plenty of "it's worth less" comments on ebay and elsewhere. Only two opinion's matter on that subject---the buyer and the seller. My philosophy was to be polite and patient. Having people look and ask questions was better than nothing.

[Ehukai_84]

As I read your post I felt myself break into a cold sweat! At my last place of employment one of my roles was "e-bay manager". The small stuff wasn't so bad but it seemed like the larger items attracted jerks and the simple minded like skeeters to bug zapper. It would never fail as soon as I placed an item with a starting bid of say $3,ooo a question would come up like it was on automatic response. "If your item doesn't sale will you take $800? Please let me know if you are interested." or "I could get the same thing brand new for way less." and my favorite, "because I will have to drive so far will you meet me half way or lower the starting bid because I will have to pay for gas?" I even had one guy feel the need to write a simple "LMAO" because he did not agree with my starting bid. I did deal with a lot of great buyers but the ratio of good buyers vs time wasting morons was a little uneven. Yes, it is dealing with the public but the e-bay public is a different breed (mostly the "in" kind). So in so many words I feel your pain.

[Bodyshots]

I guess im pretty lucky ive bought and sold more then 800 items with only 2 problems and they where just blu-ray discs.
Only big item ive ever bought of ebay was a old 67 land rover,the guy was great to help me find a shipper to washington from california.When i revieved it,the rover was in better shape then what he wrote about plus he through in a bunch of spare parts.
;)

[puck_11]

That sucks, they're just testing you to see if you really know what you have and hoping they can get a steal. I sold my motorcycle on ebay and you wouldn't believe the low ball offers I would get. It's real frustrating, but that's the price you pay for reaching such a large market.

[88 PS190]

Just don't give in, list exactly what it would cost for delivery a certain distance if you have the time ex. will deliver within 200 miles for XXX$, make sure it doesn't screw you, this is your time, it should pay you + fuel. Or they can pick it up, or they can arrange delivery through a paid service.

You have the product you will keep the product until money is in your hands.

Big purchase like this I would not do through paypal, cashiers check, money order what ever. You want to see that money before they take it.

And if they have any legit questions answer them and post for all to see.

[88 PS190]

FYI with the economy in the toilet your old boat becomes more valuable, these people can't get the loans to purchase a newer one, so yours is going to be worth some solid cash if in good shape.
Think of it this way, if the economy was doing great and people had surplus cash most of them would be buying newer wakeboard boats. Instead they are trying to get deals on older ski boats, and many of these people want to wakeboard. As is a ski boat is an entertainment expense it doesn't put food on the table, and sucks up gas as well as insurance, if they think that means the boats should cost less they are severely mistaken.

[Hammer]

I would recommend to start posting the questions in the listing. Seems to keep the stupid questions to a minimum. Just be sure to give honest answerers even to the dumb questions. And like someone said just be polite and patient.

[coz]

It's your item and your in charge so if someone asks a stupid question just don't reply or remind them that's it's against ebay policy to go outside the auction so if you're interested bid on it for the stated amount in the auction. Like the above post when you reply to questions click the box that lets everyone see the stupid questions, they'll stop.

BTW: Anyone need a wake surfboard since I'm here http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170262172518&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.com%3A80%2Fsearch%2Fse arch.dll%3Ffrom%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dm37%26satitle%3D 170262172518%2B%2B%26category0%3D%26fvi%3D1

[alletric]

FYI with the economy in the toilet your old boat becomes more valuable, these people can't get the loans to purchase a newer one, so yours is going to be worth some solid cash if in good shape.
Think of it this way, if the economy was doing great and people had surplus cash most of them would be buying newer wakeboard boats. Instead they are trying to get deals on older ski boats, and many of these people want to wakeboard. As is a ski boat is an entertainment expense it doesn't put food on the table, and sucks up gas as well as insurance, if they think that means the boats should cost less they are severely mistaken.


I am sticking my ground and do not have to sell it so it looks like I won't. I don't mind questions at all that is just part of it. I guess because of tough times these people are just beligerent right off the bat. I have sold about 20 motorcycles on Ebay without all this but in the last year it is just insane. We're not talking about a few emails but 8 every time I check, of which 7 of them are telling me the startng bid on the boat of 6500 is way out of line. Good for you. Don't bid.

[TMCNo1]

BTW: Anyone need a wake surfboard since I'm here http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170262172518&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.com%3A80%2Fsearch%2Fse arch.dll%3Ffrom%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dm37%26satitle%3D 170262172518%2B%2B%26category0%3D%26fvi%3D1

Can you come down on the price to around $3 and meet be in Arkansas so I can get it from you? It will cost at least $6 to ship UPS, but I know a Coors truck driver I can ride with home!

[coz]

Can you come down on the price to around $3 and meet be in Arkansas so I can get it from you? It will cost at least $6 to ship UPS, but I know a Coors truck driver I can ride with home!

I'll meet you at the Winn Dixie Supermarket parking lot in AK tommorow, don't forget the beer :banana:

[c_craig]

For the higher priced stuff, I prefer to use the live auction and reserve, rather than BIN. That way, if there are some bids on the item, nobody can tell you how out of line you are. You'll also get a good sense of what the real market value of your item is. If you don't get the reserve, you can always relist or try to make a deal with the high bidder. I've done that with some guitar sales ($1500 to $2000 range) and everybody is happy. As a buyer, I like live auctions for the same reason, I can see what people are really willing to pay. I usually keep an eye on them ("watching") so I can see the closing results, before I purchase a similar or identical item. Have not bought or sold boats on ebay, but I understand that is a whole new ballgame.

[east tx skier]

For the higher priced stuff, I prefer to use the live auction and reserve, rather than BIN. That way, if there are some bids on the item, nobody can tell you how out of line you are. You'll also get a good sense of what the real market value of your item is. If you don't get the reserve, you can always relist or try to make a deal with the high bidder. I've done that with some guitar sales ($1500 to $2000 range) and everybody is happy. As a buyer, I like live auctions for the same reason, I can see what people are really willing to pay. I usually keep an eye on them ("watching") so I can see the closing results, before I purchase a similar or identical item. Have not bought or sold boats on ebay, but I understand that is a whole new ballgame.

The BIN or Best Offer is a nice middle ground on this. At least in my situation it was. You can have an auto decline that's like a reserve so you don't even have to see the really low stuff. I kind of got a kick out of Ric's $1,000 offers though.

[6ballsisall]

I have seen all the warnings about buying off Ebay but have not seen as much to sellers. I buy and sell quite a bit on Ebay but have about had it. You know the scammers are out there and the russian mob, but the worst is the average ignorant troller on Ebay. Right now I am selling an 89 Prostar 190. I know the economy is in the toliet but I figured we would just see. 20 people have told me how bad the economy is so the boat is worth 3000. Thanks but I didn't ask. One wants to know if he wins the boat will I meet him half way between Georgia and Maine. Another between Kansas and Georgia. At no extra charge. So I am going to seel the boat for 3000 and then burn that much in fuel to deliver the boat to them. The best....Is it still under warranty and does it leak. Where do you start with either one of them. I know it is dealing with the public but lord there is not anybody with any sense on there any more. On the 6th email with one cat about what prop the boat had and how it ran I find out that he has the same boat and was just wondering what I recomended, I told him that is what Team Talk is for. I have another 200 examples but was wondering what stories everyone had. I knw I am not the only one.


It happens man, just laugh about it and move on. I've got a biz for sale for a client listed @ 1.45 mil, I had some nimrod put in an LOI the other day for $250k financed over several years. All you do is chuckle and say "NEXT!" :D

[mrprostar]

We bought our boat on ebay. Everything went fine. Just had to do a little dealing over the phone. As a buyer it was a situation where we really had to trust the seller on his word and his pictures. It turned out pretty well but we found out a few things weren't 100% accurate. I think its just another example where people suck. I don't like them.

[JimN]

I have seen all the warnings about buying off Ebay but have not seen as much to sellers. I buy and sell quite a bit on Ebay but have about had it. You know the scammers are out there and the russian mob, but the worst is the average ignorant troller on Ebay. Right now I am selling an 89 Prostar 190. I know the economy is in the toliet but I figured we would just see. 20 people have told me how bad the economy is so the boat is worth 3000. Thanks but I didn't ask. One wants to know if he wins the boat will I meet him half way between Georgia and Maine. Another between Kansas and Georgia. At no extra charge. So I am going to seel the boat for 3000 and then burn that much in fuel to deliver the boat to them. The best....Is it still under warranty and does it leak. Where do you start with either one of them. I know it is dealing with the public but lord there is not anybody with any sense on there any more. On the 6th email with one cat about what prop the boat had and how it ran I find out that he has the same boat and was just wondering what I recomended, I told him that is what Team Talk is for. I have another 200 examples but was wondering what stories everyone had. I knw I am not the only one.

Address all of that crap in the auction description. Like this, so they get the message. repeat it and make sure that the only people who miss it are the ones who have never seen the listing. I sold an FM tuner that had an intermittent problem and just to make sure, I edited the listing twice and repeated all of the bad stuff. It wasn't a problem for anyone who watched/bid.

[Monte]

Address all of that crap in the auction description. Like this, so they get the message. repeat it and make sure that the only people who miss it are the ones who have never seen the listing. I sold an FM tuner that had an intermittent problem and just to make sure, I edited the listing twice and repeated all of the bad stuff. It wasn't a problem for anyone who watched/bid.

That is a good way to handle it, unfortunately some people will never get it. I listed a 69 Mustang once. It was a 20ft car. Meaning it looked great from 20 ft away, and needed paint. I'm sure there was some bondo in it. I said all of this exactly the way you just mentioned. Darn good looking car though. The ***** that won it met me in a parking lot with cash as we had agreed. With a magnet?????:mad: Said he was going to ding me if I didn't take 500 off. He changed his tune when I said the guy he beat was still waiting in line.;)

[JimN]

"unfortunately some people will never get it."

So post the stupid questions at the bottom of the auction. IIRC you, as the seller, have the option to post them, or not. They way, anyone who reads them will see that they were asked by a complete maroon.

You may have posted about the Bondo but you need to include info that lets people know that you won't deal with idiots who read, or what may be more correct, comprehend, selectively. The people I have talked to and read about, who complain about the fleabay experience are the ones who don't let people know that they won't put up with BS and shine that on the Moon in every known language (plus a few dead ones).

[Skipper]

When I finally had the money to get my new (used) '95 Prostar, I never considered looking on Ebay. I searched this site, only-inboards.com, and ski-it-again.com. When I sold my '87 I listed it on those two sites as well. Most folks who are looking at those sites, know what they are looking for and you avoid the nonsense you described on Ebay.

[alletric]

Im not sure if you would even consider this, but i love the boat, just dont have the cash! Im trying to get rid of a new flat screen i just got in december and also a .17hnr varmint rifle, bull barrel, mounted extendable bipods, this thing drives tacks at 100 yards. Also have some nice furniture im trying to get rid of. Just let me know if your interested in possibly trading straight up. Just thought we could possibly help eachother out.


- lovetohunt07

[2RLAKE]

I sold two MCs on ebay ... first one was no problem ... second one started off bad but ended well. A guy wanted me to bring the boat back from TN to Cincinnati, no problem. When we met he instantly started talking down the price .... i just left and called the the #2 guy who was estatic ... he still emails me twice a year to tell me how great a boat it is. I had the bidding start at my minimum and it seemed to work ... first boat sold in 2 days (2005) and the second sold in a week (2007)

[bobx1]

I have seen all the warnings about buying off Ebay but have not seen as much to sellers. I buy and sell quite a bit on Ebay but have about had it. You know the scammers are out there and the russian mob, but the worst is the average ignorant troller on Ebay. Right now I am selling an 89 Prostar 190. I know the economy is in the toliet but I figured we would just see. 20 people have told me how bad the economy is so the boat is worth 3000. Thanks but I didn't ask. One wants to know if he wins the boat will I meet him half way between Georgia and Maine. Another between Kansas and Georgia. At no extra charge. So I am going to seel the boat for 3000 and then burn that much in fuel to deliver the boat to them. The best....Is it still under warranty and does it leak. Where do you start with either one of them. I know it is dealing with the public but lord there is not anybody with any sense on there any more. On the 6th email with one cat about what prop the boat had and how it ran I find out that he has the same boat and was just wondering what I recomended, I told him that is what Team Talk is for. I have another 200 examples but was wondering what stories everyone had. I knw I am not the only one.

You will love this:

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/boa/851648732.html

[ntidsl]

that is freakin hilarious!!!!

[ttu]

now that is getting to the point.:uglyhamme

[wakeX2wake]

dang bobx1 you beat me to it... that's absolutely GREAT!!!