The Official EBay Discussion Thread

[peteski]

43 minutes ago, Snake45 said:

ETA: Just went back and cut all the junk from the original post 

👍

[carbuilder1950]

I have enjoyed using Ebay and PayPal since 2005. I soon discovered that you could buy re-builders of rare cars pretty cheap, and then get all you needed from Modelhaus to complete a very nice kit. Just needed to strip the old paint, and I had a new body

I now have about 30 to 50 pristeen rare kits I set aside for the future, which is now, and being that Modelhaus is gone, I'm glad that I used them at the time, and the chrome pieces I bought are better than kit Chrome.

Now I just buy pieces for some of my kits I robbed from years ago for other builds, and forgot about them being gone until I started looking not too long ago. I managed to find all the parts I needed so I'm good to go.

I'm done buying kits but it's still fun to look and keep up with what is happening there with prices and resin bodies and kits. I like resin and plastic, and I have some nice diecast.

I've always thought of Ebay as a real blessing and they added so much to my building experience. Yeah, there was a couple of jerks, but by and large most of the sellers have been great, and where else would I have gotten my diecast and other non-model things like movies and so much more.

For me Ebay and PayPal have both been great, and really gave me more enjoyment than I ever would have had without them, and they still do.

My 2 cents.

[Tom Geiger]

16 minutes ago, carbuilder1950 said:

I've always thought of Ebay as a real blessing and they added so much to my building experience. Yeah, there was a couple of jerks, but by and large most of the sellers have been great, and where else would I have gotten my diecast and other non-model things like movies and so much more.

Agreed!  A funny thing happens when you take all the collectibles in the world and put them in one searchable database!

Part of the fall in prices for collectibles is that eBay has made the elusive common!  Especially in my stamp collection, there are items I seeked, some I had never seen in person. In the past 20 years many of them were found on eBay!

[carbuilder1950]

1 hour ago, Tom Geiger said:

In the past 20 years many of them were found on eBay!

@Tom Geiger

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAA 👍

[Mike999]

For those thinking of selling on eBay for the first time, be warned: no more PayPal for eBay sellers.

Now eBay uses a "Managed Payments" scheme, where all the money from your sales goes thru eBay.  I think eBay has been plotting this move ever since it sold off PayPal in 2015.

PayPal was quick and easy.  Your buyers' payments showed up in your PayPal account immediately. 

This new system is not quick and not easy.  First, you must have a bank account with an account number for your eBay sales.  (I set up a new, separate bank account that's only used for eBay.)  If you don't have a bank account, you can't sell on eBay.  It's that simple.

When you get paid, eBay holds onto the money for a while before it goes into your bank account.  The fanbois in eBay Community say this is definitely not a "float," with eBay making interest off your money.  But I suspect that's exactly what it is, in some form.

A search on "ebay managed payments" will give you more info.  

 

 

[cobraman]

On 5/31/2021 at 6:22 AM, hedotwo said:

I've sold a few built ups in the past and have had two issues where the buyer asks for a partial refund because parts have come loose during shipment.  When listing I always add that I would pack as securely as possible but can't guarantee something might come loose and need to be reattached.  In both cases I issued a partial refund because of my impression that ebay will always favor the buyer in this case, even though I stated clearly the risk in buying assembled models through the mail.  I have another one or two built ups that I'd like to list but am reluctant because of this.  Has anyone here gone through this with ebay and has ebay ruled in your favor or the buyer?  Does it even pay to include a warning in the listing description?

Rich, I do sell built models on the bay because I just can't keep them all ( except Cobra's). I always put in my ad...... models are fragile but will be packed well. buyer should be able to do repairs if needed. Sold several and i have never had a problem....... yet ?

[JollySipper]

Guys, I have a quick question..... I was looking at a '59 Buick hardtop kit build-up on eBay. I missed what it sold for. I was wondering if anyone could tell me how to look at past auctions to see what it went for. It was at $50 last time I looked with a couple hours left. Things like that that I would like to have always show up when I can't afford them..........

[JollySipper]

I should add that I don't have an account on eBay...... I usually get someone else to order for me....

[Snake45]

1 minute ago, JollySipper said:

Guys, I have a quick question..... I was looking at a '59 Buick hardtop kit build-up on eBay. I missed what it sold for. I was wondering if anyone could tell me how to look at past auctions to see what it went for. It was at $50 last time I looked with a couple hours left. Things like that that I would like to have always show up when I can't afford them..........

Search just as you would for a '59 Buick model. When the search comes up, go to the left side of the screen, scroll down, and check the box for "Completed Auctions." It will show all sales in the last 90 days. 

[Snake45]

1 minute ago, JollySipper said:

I should add that I don't have an account on eBay...... I usually get someone else to order for me....

You have to have an account to do this, sorry. 

[Bills72sj]

Overall I have had very good experience with ebay and PayPal. I got a lot of good deals shortly after 9/11 when the economy tanked. (more sellers than buyers?) My collection jumped from 10 kits to near 100 during that era. I have sold a few odds and ends over the years but not for some time. I do not need the money nor the potential for drama. My purchasing has slowed mostly because I have 99% of what I want. PayPal has been good for transactions with private parties without risking my account numbers.

BTW I use picclick.com to search ebay WAY faster than their native search engine.

[JollySipper]

13 hours ago, Snake45 said:

Search just as you would for a '59 Buick model. When the search comes up, go to the left side of the screen, scroll down, and check the box for "Completed Auctions." It will show all sales in the last 90 days. 

Hey, Snake man... Seems you can do that without an account. Just pulled up the completed auction, it went for $61..... Pretty good deal, I think.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/313567975879?hash=item49021b99c7%3Ag%3Ax8kAAOSwkOlgyelS&nma=true&si=gBjBTA4FnaM3OgtsrYjsLVSMqYA%3D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

[afx]

On 6/21/2021 at 1:47 PM, Mike999 said:

For those thinking of selling on eBay for the first time, be warned: no more PayPal for eBay sellers.

Now eBay uses a "Managed Payments" scheme, where all the money from your sales goes thru eBay.  I think eBay has been plotting this move ever since it sold off PayPal in 2015.

PayPal was quick and easy.  Your buyers' payments showed up in your PayPal account immediately. 

This new system is not quick and not easy.  First, you must have a bank account with an account number for your eBay sales.  (I set up a new, separate bank account that's only used for eBay.)  If you don't have a bank account, you can't sell on eBay.  It's that simple.

When you get paid, eBay holds onto the money for a while before it goes into your bank account.  The fanbois in eBay Community say this is definitely not a "float," with eBay making interest off your money.  But I suspect that's exactly what it is, in some form.

A search on "ebay managed payments" will give you more info.  

 

 

Our neighbor said she received a 1099 tax form showing her income from ebay sales.  They are definitely moving away from small individual sellers towards business/corporate sales.

[Tom Geiger]

47 minutes ago, afx said:

Our neighbor said she received a 1099 tax form showing her income from ebay sales.  They are definitely moving away from small individual sellers towards business/corporate sales.

The 1099 isn't eBay's fault, that was the tax man!  I think they have to do it for anyone over $10,000 in sales. Casinos have to do same with big winners.  Any smart seller will be able to expense away the sales to the point they show a loss on their tax Schedule C.  

eBay lost their roots a long time ago. The software was originally written by Pierre for his girlfriend to sell her Pez dispenser collectables on the Internet.  They are now more into eCommerce of consumer goods by companies.  They have been chasing Amazon's tail for years and will never catch it!  

[mark 23]

I got a 1099 this year & only sold about $2500.00 on ebay. My tax person fixed it on my Schedule C form.

 

[Snake45]

I'm about to have one of my best eBay experiences, or one of my worst. 

Just for grins, was checking out an old model airplane kit I had as a kid. Found several complete unbuilt kits in the $80-$100 range. Now, there are now several superior kits of this airplane in this scale available for MUCH less than that, so wasn't interested in those at all. But I scrolled down and there sat one for $32 Buy It Now.  Here's the thing: Only ONE picture, of the box, which looked to be in nice shape. Very little copy/text; said complete kit but the whole thing smelled like an "empty box" deal to me. So I message the seller asking if it's a complete kit or just the box, and shortly he messaged back, in its entirety, "Complete kit." 

So I hit the Buy It Now button. I guess sometime next week I'll find out if I got a hella deal or learned some kind of $40 lesson (including shipping). 

[Tom Geiger]

18 hours ago, Snake45 said:

So I hit the Buy It Now button. I guess sometime next week I'll find out if I got a hella deal or learned some kind of $40 lesson (including shipping). 

My first early eBay lesson was back before most of the auctions had pictures. It was an IMC VW for $12. Plus $2.99 shipping which was normal for 1998.

I get a regular business size envelope in the mail.. inside is the instruction sheet!  I email the seller and he’s refusing a return saying it was clear in his listing it was just the directions!  

I look and at the end of a description of the kit was “ins”.  Clearly meant to deceive.

Back then you could see everyone’s email addy so I emailed the two other bidders I beat out, asking if they needed the instruction sheet. Nope! They too thought it was a whole kit!

[Mike999]

15 hours ago, Tom Geiger said:

I look and at the end of a description of the kit was “ins”.  Clearly meant to deceive.

One of my few bad eBay deals was a guy who didn't mean to deceive.  But who was clearly not a "model person."

He listed a Peerless-MAX Dodge WC-54 Ambulance (1/35 scale) as complete, with a low starting bid.  Back then eBay sellers had to provide their own photo hosting, so he only ran one pic, showing the box.  At the time that ambulance kit was very hard to find.  It's still the only WC-54 ambulance in 1/35 and still brings pretty high prices on eBay, whether it's in a Peerless, Italeri or BILEK box. 

I won the auction, eagerly opened the kit when it came...and saw instantly that the whole chassis and running gear was missing!  Messaged the seller, who apologized and said he "didn't know much about models."  He told me to keep the parts and refunded my money.

One of these days, I may try to combine that old body with the chassis from a Skybow/AFV Club Dodge WC kit. Those kits have much better detail, including an engine.  But they haven't made an ambulance yet.

[Snake45]

On 6/25/2021 at 10:54 PM, Snake45 said:

I'm about to have one of my best eBay experiences, or one of my worst. 

Just for grins, was checking out an old model airplane kit I had as a kid. Found several complete unbuilt kits in the $80-$100 range. Now, there are now several superior kits of this airplane in this scale available for MUCH less than that, so wasn't interested in those at all. But I scrolled down and there sat one for $32 Buy It Now.  Here's the thing: Only ONE picture, of the box, which looked to be in nice shape. Very little copy/text; said complete kit but the whole thing smelled like an "empty box" deal to me. So I message the seller asking if it's a complete kit or just the box, and shortly he messaged back, in its entirety, "Complete kit." 

So I hit the Buy It Now button. I guess sometime next week I'll find out if I got a hella deal or learned some kind of $40 lesson (including shipping). 

It arrived today. It's a "complete" kit, never started, no paint, intact decals and instructions. All major parts are here. Looks like it's missing a couple landing gear doors but nothing I can't scratchbuild if I ever actually build it, which, let's be honest, I probably never will. It's just a cool old thing from my childhood to have around and IMHO well worth what I paid for it. I'm happy. 

[afx]

Just had an online chat with eBay.  Supposedly they will be offering other ways to receive your selling payments in the future.  I don't want to allow ebay to have access to my bank account.

I have stopped selling on ebay and will wait to resume once I see what the new options are.

Edited July 8, 2021 by afx

[Tom Geiger]

I noticed the other day when I paid on eBay with PayPal that it showed the customer as eBay rather than the seller. It showed  my payment to the seller as pending.  Stupid changes that don’t benefit buyer or seller, only eBay sucking every possible dime out of every transaction.

[MrMiles]

i didnt realize that ebay was now requiring your social security to sell stuff. i understand it is for the taxman but at the same time, i do not trust ebay enough to give them my social security number. besides, anything i would sell would be stuff that i bought in the past, so technically, shouldnt that just "wash out"

 

nothing i have is valuable enough to bother selling anymore. i used to sell to clear out room for more stuff, but i would rather give stuff away over giving ebay my social. 

 

i am trying to remember if paypal has it. i signed up so long ago, that i dont think i gave it. i know i wouldnt now.

i know they have my credit card and bank card number, but that is all insured through fdic. if my social get stolen, people can buy cars, houses, credit cards in my name, and none of that will be easy or fast or cheap to fix. one bad line of code opens me up for potential credit destruction. no thanks. one bad line of code opens me up for potential credit destruction. no thanks. 

 

[afx]

We really need an alternative to ebay.

[Tom Geiger]

I don’t believe PayPal ever asked for a social security number.  They do have my bank account info. Back when I was selling and eBay owned PayPal they made it a requirement that sellers get a PayPal MasterCard. 

[MrMiles]

11 minutes ago, afx said:

We really need an alternative to ebay.

I have a friend who sells stuff on Amazon marketplace. he said Amazon took way less than ebay.

 

Before I knew how bad ebay fees were i took a bath on selling. Between the ebay listing fee, then the percentage of sale fee, and then paypal fee, i lost money on every sale. I rarely sold on ebay, but now definitely not.