eBay

andylead85 · ‎09-14-2023

Hi, I'm from Argentina so I'm not a frequent eBayer. I'm traveling to Spain next month and there's a used bicycle listed that I'm interested on. I know there's no 100% assurance but I wanted to minimize the risk of scam before buying. I'll try to give some facts (positive or not) without exposing the seller:

- User has been on eBay since Apr '22 (I don't know if it's long enough but it's not new)
- 52 total sells, 23 reviews in the last 12 months, 100% positive (Again, seems ok but not a lot)
- Almost no review shows which product did he sell except for one bike almost a year ago for about 1500USD
- Every question I asked him shows he knows about bikes
- Every listing he has is for a bike or bike related product
- I googled the listing pictures with google lens and they are only found on his eBay listing
- All 3 or 4 bikes he is selling have pictures that seems to be taken at the same place
- The last picture is a text image offering free shipping "if payed via PayPal (goods and services)"
- Listing price about 1700USD for a used 2021 bike (seems almost mint) that is about 2700USD brand new
- It says on the description that he doesn't accept returns, but I understand that eBay still protect the buyer in case the seller doesn't ship it or ships a different product, am I right?
- The seller ships from Slovakia, and my brother would receive it in Spain before I arrive. I understand that being inside the EU there are no customs involved, but I guess it should be taken into account for any claim if anything goes wrong.

Of course I would make all the communication and PayPal payment inside eBay, but I don't know what else to be aware of before purchasing.

Thank you very much in advance!

kathiec · ‎09-14-2023

On the surface it seems okay, with one glaring exception. If you pay with Paypal friends & family you have absolutely no protection, nor is that an accepted eBay payment method. The reason that was in an image is so the eBay bots won't pick it up. That alone would make it a hard pass for me. I find a seller who attempts to skirt the rules like that to be inherently untrustworthy.

But if you choose to proceed, here are a few cautions:

1) Yes, you're covered by eBay's Money Back Guarantee if the bike doesn't come or is not as described. But if the bike is not as described you'll have to return it. Yes, eBay requires the seller to pay return shipping, but the return may be a hassle, particularly if there are customs issues.

2) You only have 30 days from package delivery to open a 'not as described' case. So make sure you (or your brother) can inspect the bike and, if necessary, open a case within that window.

andylead85 · ‎09-14-2023

Thank you very much kathiec,

I would pay with PayPal but as a paying method inside eBay website. I'm definitely not sending money outside the listing. I guess he offer that option just to avoid fees, and here in Argentina a lot of particular sellers do that in a similar website, but I'm not taking that risk.

And yes, I'll get my brother check the package as soon as it's delivered so I don't waste time if I need to open a case.

Thank you very muy again!