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#57246 10/08/05 08:57 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,064
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Member
It is me, or are people really buying things off Ebay at ridiculous prices.

I have been looking for a Greenlee 555e for quite some time, I don't need one this second but I figure if I found a good deal I would pick one up.

Some people are bidding $3000 for a used thing, and some went for over $4000.

Same with a Fluke 434. Someone paid over $4500 for one.

Using a simple search off google, you can buy a brand new 555e for @$2900.

I got my 434 for less than $3700.

What are they thinking?


Dnk.......

#57247 10/08/05 09:11 PM
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 265
D
Member
Ebay used to be good when it first came out. But now common items go for around retail it seems. Add shipping, not knowing who you are buying from and the difficulty if there is a problem with the item, it isn't worth it to me.

It is good if you are looking for something rare, but I wouldn't buy tools off it.

#57248 10/08/05 09:29 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,923
Likes: 32
G
Member
When I was building my pool I got a lot of the stuff on Ebay. I got a big bag of 44 misc grounding clamps and such (including a few Kupletaps) for $8, a couple GFCI QO breakers for $6 each and some Jandy valve actuators for ~$50. You just have to use good Ebay dicipline and don't pay too much.


Greg Fretwell
#57249 10/08/05 09:33 PM
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 943
Likes: 2
N
Member
Go to a regular auction, and watch people get whipped up into a frenzy, overpaying for the goods, they will pay the cost of new goods (or more) [Linked Image] for used merchandise. The key to any auction is knowing when to back off after it reaches the max price one is willing to pay for it.

P.S. If it hits 1/2 of new price, its past time to be considering buying new,w/ wear, no warrenty, not worth it, IMO.

Another thing about regular auctions, it's sometime fun to watch people buy goods they cannot use, was at one for a retiring EC, they were buying 8'strips for $10 ea (new) the problem was they were 277V.

#57250 10/08/05 09:46 PM
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 391
B
Member
I think the trick with e-Bay is the same as anywhere else: Don't buy on impulse.

A lot of stuff goes for almost or sometimes above retail even before S/H fees. But you can get some really sweet deals: After a lot of patients, I got a brand-new, with-warranty Fluke 179 for $140 which included shipping.

-John

#57251 10/09/05 08:02 AM
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 39
M
Member
I'm not a big fan of eBay or auction sites in general mainly because they rarely seem to have what I want, when I want, at a price I'm willing to pay. I've certainly seen any number of items sell for well above retail. I think it's the "auction" atmosphere that just makes people stupid. Which is great if you're the seller...

[This message has been edited by MikeK3145 (edited 10-09-2005).]

#57252 10/09/05 08:22 AM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20
E
Member
Dnkldorf....
that price for the bender is with-out the "shoes" it's ALOT more once you buy them!
bought mine for $1500 WITH the shoes on e-bay 2 yrs ago
bill

#57253 10/09/05 09:26 AM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,381
Likes: 7
Member
Hmmmmm.......maybe I should 'list' the bucket truck there.....

John


John
#57254 10/09/05 10:49 AM
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 273
C
Member
well i have to say i've been buying on ebay for about two years & have had only one bad experience the whole time.like the others are saying ya gotta know what you wanta pay for something & stop. some times ya get a deal then ya don't. as for most of the sellers on ebay 99 % of them are great people & willing to work things out,then you have a few bad apples just like anywhere else. just my 3cents worth.

[This message has been edited by circuit man (edited 10-09-2005).]

#57255 10/09/05 10:58 AM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 94
T
tkb Offline
Member
I've bought a bunch of tools on eBay, but I always check ToolUp.com to check the price of a new one.

If I can't buy it for 1/2 of the new price I don't bother.

Be careful with the pictures, some people don't use the picture of the actual item.

I am sure that eBay is an easy fencing operation of stolen tools. Can't prove it though.

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