General Forum

Ya know Dan I agree ! With all the eBay bashing in our forums, I have honestly had more positive experiences with buyers and sellers than negative ones, probably 10:1.

Things were SOOO different with ebay back then. They'd actually give you the buyer's e-mail address, you had to wait for the check or moeny order to arrive, and with checks, sometimes you'd wait for them to clear at the bank - all before sending out the merch. Of course, repeat buyers would get preferred treatment. I had one buyer who I would actually send the stuff out the day after the auction ended because I knew the guy was good for the money. He never failed me.

Vrooomed, you got me by a couple of months, I've been a member of EBay since Nov 01, 1998. Anyway, the story I shared isn't the only "over and above expectations" experience.  I've also been fortunate to have the pleasure of dealing with many decent people over the years, but also a few not so decent. As you said, we tend to remember the bad experiences more than the good, and we're more likely to say something about it too. Another good point you make is to deal with others as you would like to be dealt with.  It doesn't always pay off immediately, but in the long run, when people are treated decently, they will often treat others the same. 

Ok, since I started one of the recent "eBay bashing" fora, I feel I should pitch in here. First, I was just expressing my frustration with the one sale where the dude claimed to have "lost" the cards. In that very post, I included a positive story, as well. And today I bought three lots from a guy. And I was a little paranoid -- because I got them at the minimum 99 cent bids -- that, although the listing said he'd add $1 per extra lot won -- he would either back out or not combine shipping. And some of his language in the listing was slightly off-putting. Well, he certainly didn't back out. Instead, he combined the shipping with no extra charge. It's only two bucks, but I appreciate it. 

On the whole, my eBay experience --member since only 2009 -- has been excellent. I have always gotten everything I bought. I have never felt ripped off. As a buyer, I have a near infinite supply of things to go after and I get things at what I consider to be very fair prices. Any selling mishaps (low prices) were my own fault. And I have 100% feedback. And, sure, there are fees, but I don't think they're out of control. It's more than I would otherwise get for my cards. And, though I like the occasional trade here, it's easier to sell and pay the fees, than to try to arrange a trade and pay the postage. 

So, overall, I'm a big eBay fan. Between it and this website, my collecting has seriously intensified over the last five to seven years. Viva eBay!

v3

How do you guys know when you joined ebay?  My first experience with the internet was bidding on a Starting Lineup figure on ebay at somebody else's house.  I guess I probably knew the internet existed, but had never seen it before that.  All in remember is how slow this guy's dial up connection was. I don't think I was too impressed with the internet.

I've done that.  I mailed two cards that showed up damaged.  The buyer had proof.  I sent him a refund and two replacement cards.  I still got the positive feedback.

If you click on your EBay feedback score you will see "Member since ..."

Thanks. Looks like i was 1999.  These guys have a year on me. I wonder when Ebay actually started.

Looks like Labour Day 1995. Here's an interesting article outlining the beginning of the site that would evolve into what it is today

https://www.thebalancesmb.com/how-did-ebay-start-1140007

Interesting. Thanks for that link.  Dude was getting so many checks he had to hire help to open his mail.  If only I had such a brilliant idea!!