Computer newbies forum: Buying new on EBay?

Bradley,

Just my opinion.... When purchasing anything on e-Bay, you should research the seller's credentials and even then, you never know exactly what you're going to get till you get it.

In your situation, especially since this is going to be a business machine, you'll want to make sure that you have "support" for the machine, (or machines), that you purchase. You'll want to verify that all of the recovery CD's and software is included with the purchase. That's not always provided with the e-Bay stuff. If something goes wrong, you'll want it to be fixed without a hassle or have the option to take it back for a refund. If I'm advising for business purchases, I make sure that local and reputable sources are used so that easy support is available.

If you watch the sales advertisements in your local paper, you can find most brand name computers at fairly cheap prices and they will be for sale close by. The small amount you save is never worth it if something goes wrong. Your time alone can be worth big bucks.

Hope this helps.

Grif

Look at the ratings number next to the seller's name. If they are less than 95% positive (everyone gets a negative sooner or later), avoid the seller. Read the comments. I've found that sellers with in excess of 2500 ratings points are not individuals, and you will not get the individual attention that you may desire. In addition, sellers with numbers less than 20 are very new or only an occassional seller.
These are only my opinions and I expect folks to disagree (and probably ridicule my analysis) , but this is how I look at eBay.

Hi,
With computers as cheap as they are now, why not buy new at a discount? Places like www.tigerdirect.com offer new PC's for $350 and up. I've bought from them over the years, and they're reliable.

Good Luck,
Jeff Levitan

Thank you for the information.

I will look into Dell's Business accounts and services.
I'm sure I'll have a need for additional supplies and equipment in the future, and a business account should be set up well in advance.

Thanks again!

Brad

Futonman...WOW, I've heard similar stories about eBay.
Did you contact eBay for their help in apprehending these low-lifes? They might have a lead on the sellers.

A gentleman responded elsewhere in this thread about his eBay laptop purchases...both turned out to be stolen. Seems as though the thieves failed to fully delete the real owners' contact information...some people demonstrate their intelligence with such grace, don't-cha think? He contacted the real owners, then followed up with eBay. The rightful owners got their their laptops back, he got his money back, and one of the loser thieves was found, arrested and went to jail! Doesn't that story warm your heart?

I've read many mixed reviews regarding any auction purchase and the overriding theme from most is... be VERY VERY careful.

Sorry about your bad experiences...and thanks for the advice!

Brad

Pointman...you've learned some expensive lessons from eBay! As a result, you offer some very valuable advice. I'll take your recommendations to heart.

Thank you for your time!

Brad

I've used Tiger on a few cases and have had the best of luck with them. Their products are as advertised and their service is super fast.

Pointman

Unless you are a techie and know exaactly what you need to run each item you purchase, go to a retailer who will have all the disks, drivers, warranties if you get a bad product, and will have service if you have a problem.
You can get some real good buys on ebay, but you also can get taken.
It's very important to use a power seller, or look for a seller who offers, in writing, to accept returns, offers a warranty, and so on, like a regular retailer.
If you read through many of the items details, you will see many instances in which the item is sold as-is, not returns accepted, and so forth. Stay away from those.
I once bought a motheboard and they claimed that it was taken from a working computer. Well, the computer probably was working, but the board was fried.
Since you are running a business, to be cost effective, and have service available, go to a local retailer who is known to back up his products with a warranty and good service. Down time from bad products will ruin your bottom line.
From an experienced ebayer.

I would like to say one should watch out for Power sellers too, because the luck I've had wiht them is this...when I go to pay them, it never fails that while Ebay shows I paid them, they were not paid. I would email them if I found a problem only to have my email totally ignored. Ebay would come after me to pay them, so I would pay them again (seeing as my payment through PayPal didn't show up either, thus something broke down in their system). On a couple of occassions, I paid the Power Seller only to have him finally email me back saying my order item was restocked after the 3rd day and money could not be refunded...even though in the 7th and 8th day they were bugging me for the money.

So I steer away from Power Sellers, figuring they make their money on the people they can screw and have their butts covered by Ebay who sees them as doing no wrong because of how they worded their auctions, etc..

I really like Ebay, but do watch out. I like to deal with the average person with near excellent feedback whose been around for a while. I also found a new trick to help protect me. I write them a question first before ordering. If they answer me, I kow I have someone who cares enough to make contact with me. If I don't hear from them I don't buy from them.

Ebay is fun, but watch out. One can get hurt real fast there.

Pointman

The best tip anyone can give you is to look at the vendors history or any feedback from buyers. If you're wondering so is anyone else. This is a crapshoot, IMHO considering all that can wrong but usually doesn't. The old saying, "if it too good to be true, then it isn't" or something like that. Use common sense and proceed at your own risk. Also, check into what return policy or warranty is present if applicable. Understand, that a zillion computers are made and they have to be sold in some way and real storefront/warehouse vendors need to turn over inventory thus a good source of product. If the cost difference is little, check with online vendors websites at least check them out for baseline pricing on some items to get a ballpark price. Dell, offers this like other OEMs.

good luck -----Willy

I should point out also, that some products are "refurbed" meaning, returns or rebuilds that the OEM dumps back into the grey market. Make sure if they say "new" its new and not a refurbed product. Many times the OEM will ID the product as refurbed to help curb such sales as new. I hope this helps... -----Willy

Hi,

I have purchased several computer related items and with only one exception had great luck. I recently bought a new in the box, Dell 4600 for $357 (no monitor). When it arrived it was as advertised and arrived quickly.

The thing I see on ebay are low prices but high shipping and handling charges. I bought a battery backup for a computer and won it at $1.50 but paid $60 shipping and handling. It has never worked. Lesson learned. Buy from Power Sellers and estores.

Marty

I've bought a laptop and a desktop, hard drive, DVD-ROM, and a CD burner there. Excellent service, and the answers are up front.

http://www.overstock.com/

Only the standard shopping area, I don't do auctions or eBay.

Watch out for tricks:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=51145&item=5135197688&rd=1