eBay: To use or not to use?

[garrettbragg12]

Im new to milsurp, and I'm loving all the info. One thing I've come across is the debate on eBay. I personally love ebay, since its an easy way to get what you need, plus find those cool interesting impulse buys. I usually stick to trusted dealers such as folcmote, M1CC, and a few others. What's everyones opinion on using eBay, and what are ways to spot fakes?


M1/M3 Carbine: late '44 Inland
M1 Garand: late '44 Springfield

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Aragorn243]

I use ebay a lot. Never had any problems with it or any sellers. I am primarily a buyer but I have sold things in the long distant past.

Fakes are usually pretty easy to spot. If not, most sellers make a note that it is a fake and if they don't, most items fall under ebay's guarantee.

Sometimes something is slightly worse than expected but usually things are better. Photos are key. I don't buy anything with lousy photos and can't for the life of me figure out why someone posts them other than to be deceptive.

I've bought quite a few bayonets, books, slings, parts, etc. I shop prices beforehand so I don't go overboard with bidding which is easy to do. I've found most items, with the exception of rarer books, come up again pretty quickly so I don't settle for either a too poor example or a too high price.

Always ensure you check postage before bidding. There are a few people that charge very high prices for shipping which counters their low bid start price.

You also need to positively identify things before bidding. Don't go by what the seller tells you it is. If YOU are not sure, ask questions, research it, etc. There are sellers especially of bayonets that simply don't know what they have and since the writing on it looks German, it's a German bayonet whether it is or isn't.

[garrettbragg12]

I use ebay a lot. Never had any problems with it or any sellers. I am primarily a buyer but I have sold things in the long distant past.

Fakes are usually pretty easy to spot. If not, most sellers make a note that it is a fake and if they don't, most items fall under ebay's guarantee.

Sometimes something is slightly worse than expected but usually things are better. Photos are key. I don't buy anything with lousy photos and can't for the life of me figure out why someone posts them other than to be deceptive.

I've bought quite a few bayonets, books, slings, parts, etc. I shop prices beforehand so I don't go overboard with bidding which is easy to do. I've found most items, with the exception of rarer books, come up again pretty quickly so I don't settle for either a too poor example or a too high price.

Always ensure you check postage before bidding. There are a few people that charge very high prices for shipping which counters their low bid start price.

You also need to positively identify things before bidding. Don't go by what the seller tells you it is. If YOU are not sure, ask questions, research it, etc. There are sellers especially of bayonets that simply don't know what they have and since the writing on it looks German, it's a German bayonet whether it is or isn't.

Thanks! I'm in the same boat as you, being mainly a buyer. I enjoy checking prices on items and getting bargains. It's funny you bring up bayonets, because after 60+ transactions, the only item I've ever been mislead on was a 1942 M1 Garand bayonet, that had been converted to a fighting knife, and he "forgot to mention it." But aside from that, I appreciate all the tips!


M1/M3 Carbine: late '44 Inland
M1 Garand: late '44 Springfield

[apachedawg]

I buy off of eBay all the time and the one time I had a problem the seller made it right. He listed a Arisaka type 38 bolt as a type 99. Of course it didn't fit so he gave me a full refund. Now Gunbroker is a different story I've had numerous problems. Everything from slow shipping to sellers who won't respond. Now that's not every seller but just a few bad apples.

[Bill Hollinger]

I use eBay as a seller and buyer. The only advise I could give would be only make an educated purchase from eBay or Gun Broker. Read all the feedback closely, albeit feedback is not a 100% accurate. You can ask here on the respective forums about an item or seller as many have done. Charlie Holland (Painter777) and others have posted listings of sellers and their eBay and Gun Broker user names who sell less than authentic parts or have questionable selling practices. There is also a forum that deals specifically with fake, counterfeits, disputes and appraisal of weapons and parts. Appraisals, Fakery, Dispute Resolution Mediation Forum