I hate eBay. I wish I would learn my lesson....

[TomV]

Not sure where this post belongs. Mods: Move it to where it does if this is the wrong forum.....

The saga: I am moving into a new house soon and am planning to upgrade my nano tanks (10g, 29g, and 2.5g) to two 75 gallon tanks. I talked to a guy at a flea market who had one and made a deal with him to buy it.

.... he broke it getting it out of his garage..... :cry:

So, I found some ads in the newspaper and local ad magazines...... ALL SOLD :cry:

So, next, I found a 75g on eBay that was in my state. I bid on it. It had a BUY IT NOW price, but I relied on my GF for advice since I was doing this project WITH HER for our new house. So, I bid lower and the BUY IT NOW disappeared.....

I was outbid by a DEALER in the last 10 seconds of the auction.

Right now, I am beside myself. So, please excuse my rage.

I should have learned my lesson about eBay and the GREED within before when something similar happened to me there.

Is it me? Or is it justified that I think most dealers are greedy leeches when they go to flea markets at 5 AM, outbid people on eBay, and outbid people at auctions just so they can sell the item at a higher price and pad their already well padded bottoms even more with the fat of the land?

I know. I know. It's the "American Way". I just think it's greedy and distasteful behavior. I wont bid on anything on eBay again. I wont play this game again. If it says BUY IT NOW, I will do so. Otherwise, it's just an exercise in beating the rats to the cheese.

[Mike]

I dont like ebay for that reason, but you can walk away with some good deals from reputable sellers.

[Woodstock]

Moved to vendor experiences

[Witfull]

if im going to bid, i put a reserve at what i am willing to pay,,,if i get outbid,,so be it, if its getting close to the end,,,last few minutes and i get outbid,,i may try to snipe it back,,but not always.

the buy it now feature is great,,but sometimes that price is rediculous and i dont bother. but if its a fair price,,snag mine!

or you can email the seller and negotiate a price and the auction cancelled. (but i'd never do that )

[TomV]

Well, I tried to bid at the end, but got sniped. It was the last 30 seconds. I hate that.

I've learned a valuable lesson about this--- do it MYSELF without relying on my GF to be involved. Hate to say it, but she's a bit of a skinflint and you can't be cheap in this hobby.

[Witfull]

Originally Posted by TomV

you can't be cheap in this hobby.

cut corners where you can,,,but sometime you just gotta pay!

[ScottT1980]

I do what Dave suggested. In fact, I am currently doing that very thing. I have an auction going for a refractometer. The bid was at $10 or so, but I went ahead and put down $40. That is as much as I am willing to spend on the item, and that way I don't have to obssess about checking it every day. If I don't get the item, then so be it, that is the way the system is set up.

I don't hate the game per se, I just learn to play within it. Sorry you lost your auctions though, best of luck with that and the move. As they say, patience is always the key to the hobby. A 75 will turn up when you least expect it...

[Mufflerguy]

Hey Tom,
Have you checked the Want AD?
Your in new england, so I'm sure you'll find what your looking for in there.
I know i've found super deals from people who buy a mega dollar setup, & dont have the patience or brains to keep it up, so they get frustrated & sell it cheap.
Especially from framingham east to Boston, lots of people with money to waste. I think the website is www.thewantad.com
Also check the boston reefers society website, they have a selling forum there.
Good luck, Matt

[TomV]

Mufflerguy,

Thanks. Yeah, I've been checking the WantAdvertiser every week. Gotta call the MORNING it comes out otherwise the stuff disappears.

I'm checking again Tuesday.

[Mufflerguy]

Good luck bud, if I see anything, I'll let ya know...
I bought an all glass megaflow 125 for $275 from a local wholesaler. I had a skimmer & lights hanging around from other setups I bought. I made my own stand & sump & got out of it fairly cheap. Just keep looking, youll find something. I wouldnt buy a tank off e-bay unless it was new. Equipment & corals are one thing, but too much can go wrong in shipping a tank.
Matt

[Montanareefer]

Hey Mufflerguy !

Nice to see another Patriots fan! I was born in Vermont and have been a true blue Patriots fan forever....Finally we are reaping the rewards...To bad we are losing two coaches next year...Johnny