The Energon Pub

I posted this in the Sell forum as well, but I thought I could get additional responses here.

Okay, so I've only just recently reached a position where I can seek out figures that I've wanted for a while, and I've been able to find most of them at reliable online retailers like BBTS. However, there are a few that I can't find anywhere....except e-bay.

I have never used e-bay, and am chary(re: paranoid) at the prospect, as I've seen that it is essentially unregulated and thus has very little accountability for sellers.

So, my question:

What(if any) is a good way to tell if a seller is legit, or full of crap? The ratings seem to be worthless, and easily manipulated.

Any other information, things to watch out for, etc. would be greatly appreciated as well.

Thanks.

Well for me personally I have not been buying anything older than Armada. I'm no expert at G1 figures, and could not tell the difference betwen the original and fake boxes which look pretty real to me.

It all depends on trust really. You trust that the seller is really selling what the auction depicts in the condition stated. I use ebay as a last resort for TF's, and because Gundam stuff isn't sold in US retail anymore.

One: Look at the feedback. You can review history of a seller by item. Make sure the seller knows the product and isnt just selling anything. Is the seller auctioning a reissue Prime as original? Check to see if they have sold TF's in the past and got good feedback on it. Check all negative an neutral feedback, even if its old.

Two: Do price searches. Obviously the rarer the TF the more you're gonna pay, but odds are you'll find more than one on ebay, some way higher than others. Refer to rule one when this occurs.

Three: Ask questions. If a seller doesn't get back to you within a day, forget it. Good communication is key to selling, so if the seller doesn't respond, don't waste your time.

Four: Know your TF's. Use the archives here, ask fellow members. See a price thats too good to be true? It probably is. KO's run rampant on eBay, so watch out. Look closely at pics and make sure to ask if whats pictured is what you're getting. Some sellers take a pic of one item and sell another, so you think your getting an MISB in nice condition when the packaging may be damaged.

Five: Look at shipping costs. Most sellers add a "handling" fee to ship items. Total BS in my opinion but its the nature of the beast. If you see something that you know will ship to you for under 8 bucks tagged for a 20 dollar + shipping charge, forget it.

I've ordered about 50% of my Transformers (probably about 60 figures) and I've only really had a problem with 2 people. I usually check the feedback and read the responses left by people. But like the guy before me said, it's all about trust. All the positive feedback in the world won't guarantee that the seller is a good person to deal with. As we speak, I'm dealing with a guy who was supposed to have mailed me my Powermaster Prime last week. I just recieved an email that he'll mail it to me tomorrow during his lunch break if he has time... -_-

I find that even though the rating system is flawed, you can still find out who is legit by checking out a few things.

1.)Do they have a web site
2.)Have they been a member for a while
and most important
3.)Do they know the product that they are selling

if 1+2+3 is 6 then you know the seller is probably 2 legit too quit. (ahhh! Hammer!!)

but never forget number four.
4.)ask and keep full records of every part of the transaction.(paypal likes it when you have evidence to report fraud)

I've been buying and selling on ebay for about 7 years and it still a crapshoot, I find about 66% of the sellers are pretty honest people. (but watch out for the a'holes that charge alot for shipping)



BB

Thanks guys! I really appreciate the feedback.

Have faith in the feedback system. If a seller has over 500 positive feedbacks, has been on eBay for a long time, and has over 98% positives then you are dealing with somebody who is established and easier to trust. Don't let a few negatives put you off. As an eBay seller myself with 900+ feedback, I have dealt with some moronic buyers. One of which left me a negative because USPS damaged the box (which I shipped securely with bubble wrap, etc...). He demanded that I refund him 100% but did not want to return the auction item to me. Because I didn't, he left me a negative.

Anyway, there will always be risks buying and selling online, but you can reduce them if you follow common sense (if a deal is too good to be true, it probably is...) and use the system eBay and PayPal have in place.

Ditto... as an eBay seller myself with 100% positive feedback of nearly 600, I can attest to the integrity of sellers with near perfect (95+%) positive feedback ratings of over 500...

No reason to be afraid to use it. It's quite handy, but if possible you will want to sign up for a Paypal account.

This allows you to get re-assured in quick, safe, and secure payment. Also, it can help you if there is a problem...sometimes.

The suggestions made here are really good. Looking at how much they have sold, are they a 'Power seller', recent negative feedback, and so forth.

Finally, limit your spending until you know a seller is reliable, then use him to whatever buying ends you might need.

Don't be afraid to auction snipe.(99% of the time somebody else is waiting to do the same. Ebay is not about who is willing to pay more, but who is willing to pay more in the last second of the auction)

If you try to "play fair", it will do nothing but piss you off.

Don't bother bidding on a popular item that has 4 days left unless you are ready to go way over the current price.

Don't get into bidding wars.

Don't fall for this

Lapse Of Reason wrote:Have faith in the feedback system. If a seller has over 500 positive feedbacks, has been on eBay for a long time, and has over 98% positives then you are dealing with somebody who is established and easier to trust. Don't let a few negatives put you off. As an eBay seller myself with 900+ feedback, I have dealt with some moronic buyers. One of which left me a negative because USPS damaged the box (which I shipped securely with bubble wrap, etc...). He demanded that I refund him 100% but did not want to return the auction item to me. Because I didn't, he left me a negative.

Anyway, there will always be risks buying and selling online, but you can reduce them if you follow common sense (if a deal is too good to be true, it probably is...) and use the system eBay and PayPal have in place.

As I read feedback, this is quickly becoming apparent. One fellow gave a bad rating because the mailman bent the comic book he bought to fit in the mailbox.

Gutter Bunny wrote:Don't be afraid to auction snipe.(99% of the time somebody else is waiting to do the same. Ebay is not about who is willing to pay more, but who is willing to pay more in the last second of the auction)

If you try to "play fair", it will do nothing but piss you off.

Don't bother bidding on a popular item that has 4 days left unless you are ready to go way over the current price.

Don't get into bidding wars.

Heh. This was actually my plan from the start. And I already have a strict price cap in place from my other online adventures.

Thanks again for the input! I'll be happy to hear any more advice!

I have only just started using ebay, and I have a question myself on the feedback system.

I bought a few items on ebay for which I paid immediately, and waited and waited for feedback before I e-mailed one seller about it.

She told me that most sellers wait to receive feedback before they give feedback for the buyer. She said that sometimes buyers give sellers negative feedback, and if it's unwarranted then they have no recourse but to leave bad feedback as well.

Is this true? As in, unreasonable feedback cannot be challenged on any other forum?

I am puzzled because from what I can understand from the feedback system, a seller receives feedback for condition of item, speed of delivery, communication, etc. While a buyer receives feedback for speed of payment mainly.

Even if I had negative feedback for a seller, is the feedback given to me an avenue for rebuttal, or should it just be for how honest I was and how quickly I paid? If it's the latter than her reply to me seems to be the wrong use of feedback, as in you don't give me good feedback I won't give you good one as well. To me I think feedback should be given to me based on how reliable I was and how quickly I paid, irrespective of whether I gave good feedback or not.

Would appreciate some enlightenment.

Bonecrusher27, feedback on ebay is voluntary and not mandatory. Usually what happens is I as the buyer get the item in good condtiton, leave feedback and they'll do the same afterwards. Sometimes though, you may not get back feedback at all. And yes some people take it personal/revenge negging, thats just how they are.

Ya know, I wonder if we could get this stickied? Surely, there are other collectors out there who would find this info helpful.

Skyhigh wrote:Bonecrusher27, feedback on ebay is voluntary and not mandatory. Usually what happens is I as the buyer get the item in good condtiton, leave feedback and they'll do the same afterwards. Sometimes though, you may not get back feedback at all. And yes MOST people take it personal/revenge negging, thats just how they are.

fixed

rofl. so pesimistic

Bonecrusher27 wrote:I have only just started using ebay, and I have a question myself on the feedback system.

I bought a few items on ebay for which I paid immediately, and waited and waited for feedback before I e-mailed one seller about it.

She told me that most sellers wait to receive feedback before they give feedback for the buyer. She said that sometimes buyers give sellers negative feedback, and if it's unwarranted then they have no recourse but to leave bad feedback as well.

Is this true? As in, unreasonable feedback cannot be challenged on any other forum?

I am puzzled because from what I can understand from the feedback system, a seller receives feedback for condition of item, speed of delivery, communication, etc. While a buyer receives feedback for speed of payment mainly.

Even if I had negative feedback for a seller, is the feedback given to me an avenue for rebuttal, or should it just be for how honest I was and how quickly I paid? If it's the latter than her reply to me seems to be the wrong use of feedback, as in you don't give me good feedback I won't give you good one as well. To me I think feedback should be given to me based on how reliable I was and how quickly I paid, irrespective of whether I gave good feedback or not.

Would appreciate some enlightenment.

As a seller, I usually wait until the buyer leaves me positive feedback. That way, I know they are pleased and when I leave positive for the buyer it is the end of the transaction.

If there is a problem and they want to leave me a negative, I'd like to work it out first. I rarely have problems with my sales, but I feel better witholding feedback until the buyer leaves feedback for me. Some may feel that if the buyer pays quickly then they should get positive feedback, but fast payment is only part of the transaction. Let's face it - when selling on eBay you are dealing with the general public. Anyone who works retail knows that there are a lot of stupid or unreasonable people in the general public that think "the customer is always right" means "the customer has the right to be an a*@&!le."

So yes, the seller's only recourse against an all of a sudden unreasonable custmer is the feedback system. If I as a seller leave positive first, then the buyer is empowered to be a prick unlimited.

I too am a seller and everything said is great advice.

I did see one comment that 'handling is BS' which I can agree with when it's like WAAAY beyond reasonable, but when I state handling in my auctions, it's for the packing supplies (which believe it or not are NOT free, so of course I have to pass the cost to the buyer...it's just business).

As for the feedback thing...I always to get it before I leave mine is I am a seller (If I am the buyer, than I leave it as soon as I get my merchandise). As a seller it sucks to be on the receiving end of negative feedback when it's not your fault (like the mailman example) so that's why I wait.

-B

I generally charge anywhere between $1.50 (for small items) to $5.00 (for larger items or sales) in handling, sometimes as much as $10 for expensive items.

Priority mail boxes are free, but bubble wrap is expensive (about $5 for a few yards at Walmart). Newspaper padding is cheap too. The other big expenses are the eBay and Paypal fees. This usually runs about 15% to 20% of the total selling price. On a $100 sale I might pay up to $20 in fees (eBay listing + eBay final value + PayPal + packing cost). Then there is the hassle of going to the post office, although 90% of the time I schedule a home pickup.

Best thing to do, is look at the feedback comments. A person could have a 98% feedback and only have 1 bad feedback.

If they have more then 2 or 3 (negative feedbacks) but have 150 200 sales or more, I consider them pretty safe.
I also try to find what the bad feedback was all about by reading those comments.

-Barricade- wrote:Best thing to do, is look at the feedback comments. A person could have a 98% feedback and only have 1 bad feedback.

If they have more then 2 or 3 (negative feedbacks) but have 150 200 sales or more, I consider them pretty safe.
I also try to find what the bad feedback was all about by reading those comments.

This brings up another question. Is there anyway to pull up only the negative and/or neutral comments? I haven't found an option like that yet, and I'm really more interested in seeing what problems people had.

publicvisage wrote:

-Barricade- wrote:Best thing to do, is look at the feedback comments. A person could have a 98% feedback and only have 1 bad feedback.

If they have more then 2 or 3 (negative feedbacks) but have 150 200 sales or more, I consider them pretty safe.
I also try to find what the bad feedback was all about by reading those comments.

This brings up another question. Is there anyway to pull up only the negative and/or neutral comments? I haven't found an option like that yet, and I'm really more interested in seeing what problems people had.

No, you have to scroll through their feedback. eBay does plan on updating soon, so maybe they will integrate this feature.

publicvisage wrote:
As I read feedback, this is quickly becoming apparent. One fellow gave a bad rating because the mailman bent the comic book he bought to fit in the mailbox.

This is actually the seller's fault. It should have been shipped protected like inbetween cardboard (they sell this type of package at the post office if you're too lazy to throw some cardboard in an envelope). In my early years of selling I made the mistake of just putting it in an envelope. I feel bad for the guy who got it, he was pretty pissed. From then if I've sent comics in the mail it's defnitely protected with DO NOT BEND all over it. That feedback is actually very helpful, because I would not buy a comic from someone who won't ship it properly, they're collectible things. It'd be like sending a moc transformer wrapped with construction paper rather than shipping in a box.

Bonecrusher27 wrote: To me I think feedback should be given to me based on how reliable I was and how quickly I paid, irrespective of whether I gave good feedback or not.

If only it was an ideal world. I'm equally both buyer and seller, and don't really do either realtively often, though I have racked up about 300 feedback combined. But as a buyer I leave feedback for sellers whether they left it for me or not. Buyers don't have to enter credit card info or anything that could trace them if they're fradulent. (At least not when I signed up.) Becacuse of this you get a lot of dead-beats and just plain whackos. You also get a lot of newbies that expect everything instantly, or have ridiculous expectations in general. This hasn't happened to me yet, but I always see some newbie complaining that they didn't get an email from the seller (newsflash you don't need an email, you can pay instantly using ebay's checkout option). As a seller I leave feedback for those I believe I can trust when they pay, but wait for feedback from others. To me its completely unfair for you to potentially lose bidders on an auction becacuse you have one negative feedback that isn't even relevant. Buyers don't have as much of an importance for feedback, if you get it great, but most sellers don't care as long as you pay (and with paypal it's all instant and reliable).



Anyway, my own experiences have been great. Though I've wasted a lot of money on toys I really don't need. I only ever had one negative experience, but I was refunded by paypal.

Gutter Bunny wrote:Don't be afraid to auction snipe.[/url]

That's the biggest thing. Sadly anyone who bids before the last minute, the last five seconds, is only driving the price up. They never win in a highly completive auction where the item is in demand. Which, of course, I'm all for if I'm the seller, but as a buyer I'd rather get the item as cheaply as possible. Academic papers have been written on the subject.

http://www.nber.org/papers/w7729

Lapse Of Reason wrote:I generally charge anywhere between $1.50 (for small items) to $5.00 (for larger items or sales) in handling, sometimes as much as $10 for expensive items.

Priority mail boxes are free, but bubble wrap is expensive (about $5 for a few yards at Walmart). Newspaper padding is cheap too. The other big expenses are the eBay and Paypal fees. This usually runs about 15% to 20% of the total selling price. On a $100 sale I might pay up to $20 in fees (eBay listing + eBay final value + PayPal + packing cost). Then there is the hassle of going to the post office, although 90% of the time I schedule a home pickup.

Are you saying that you put the paypal and eBay fees in your item's shipping and handleing charge?


I personally love sniping the items I go for on eBay. It usually keeps the prices lower and gives me a better shot on a budget. You have to wait as long as you can though or someone else will outbid you. But wait too long, and the auction is over before you do anything.