Anyone bought from ebay?

[charlesw]

What do you think about buying used equipment from ebay?
I ran across a SCAG COMMERCIAL MOWER and was wondering what your thoughts were. It's a long drive for me to pick this one up, but I think I may keep an eye out for other equipment being sold.

Anyone living around PENNSYLVANIA may want to check this out.
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1253751143

[TheMom]

Just be careful... if it doesn't work or isn't what you thought, you have no recourse.

[racerdave]

I bought something from ebay once.


now lets just say I'm experienced.:blob3:

[jeffyr]

I've bought and sold a few times on ebay.
I actually sold a mower on it. I set the reserve at a fair price for the mower and its condition (posted many pics and was completely honest). Well, before long the auction was over and the winning bidder payed $600 more than the reserve, plus $300 additional for shipping. That put in within 1,000 of a new warranted machine. The winning bidder didn't ask 1 question about the mower. Now by setting the reserve I though that this would give an idea what I think a fair price would be, but this person (who was in the bidding from the start and knew the reserve) kept on bidding. Actually bought it for $50 more than I payed 3 seasons earlier. I felt like I should have stopped it, but for what reason--he wanted that mower and was happy with it.

Be careful because I can see how this would happen--test the equipment first if possible.

I also bought a mower on ebay--but it was local and I was able to try it out before purchasing--and I am happy with it.

[DEEJ]

I think I am with Jeffyr on this one. If it was close enough that I could test drive I might consider it. I have to do the hands on thing before I would be comfortable.

It is amazing how much this SCAG unit looks like my Ransomes Bob Cat T3100. I would say portions are a direct copy. Do they have a common design guy that runs from one company to the next?

DJ

[dhicks]

I have bought and sold on eBay but nothing related to our profession.

[13yearoldcutter]

I bought a set of golf clubs for $25, a good set at that. I got them and I was stoked.

[Holloway Lawns]

I have bought some coins and just the other day a brand new in box Toro 21" personal pace mower. Should recieave it tommorow by fedex I have not used the personal pace system before only heard some on it What do you think about it also got this mower for $400.00 plus $45.00 S/H so $445.00 that is over $150 savings if I bought it local. Right now I just cannot justifie spending $1000 on a 21"

[gogetter]

I don't think I'd buy any big ticket itmes used from e-bay (unless they're close enough to check out first).

But I have bought several new items on there and saved quite a bit over buying at a store or shop.

So far I got:

A new Poulan Pro 22" chainsaw.
A new Poulan Pro backpack blower.
A new Echo HC1500 hedge trimmer.
A new Husqvarna stick edger.
A barely used Tanaka 25" hedge trimmer.

Still hoping to find a new extended reach hedge trimmer on there!

[jmartmel]

I have bought but I never would buy anything like a mower from it unless you can test it. Just bought small stuff for my wife like beanie babies. I think ebay has something like insurance for big purchases, though I'm not sure, If you were to buy a mower I would look into that!

[bubble boy]

does it cost $ to buy and sell?

thanks for saving me the trouble of a point and click.

[charlesw]

Thanks for the info.

I think that I'll still keep looking, but like everyone said, don't buy unless I can check it out first.


Thanks

[Tomslawncare1]

Tried to buy 1 item on E-Bay. Paid for it but never got it. Fool me once shame on you fool me twice shame on me.:blob3:

[MJ]

My wife buys and sells a lot on Ebay. There's a profile showing how many people have bought from a seller and left comments - good and bad. You can usually trust someone with a lot of positive comments. Just having a negative or two doesn't mean they would cheat you, though, if they also have several positive comments. Ebay has a service where they will hold the money until the buyer and seller are satisfied. Usually a good idea for large purchases. People do get ripped off, though. Be careful, use reputable sellers and expect get what you pay for. She did buy a doll house the other day at an auction for $2 and sold it about three days later on Ebay for $186. That was a case of a person who knew exactly what he wanted and was willing to part with serious money for it. He told her he bought it for parts to fix another one like it he'd bought for over $400. Then he was going to put it in storage.

Good luck.

[AVRECON]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by DEEJ
I think I am with Jeffyr on this one. If it was close enough that I could test drive I might consider it. I have to do the hands on thing before I would be comfortable.

It is amazing how much this SCAG unit looks like my Ransomes Bob Cat T3100. I would say portions are a direct copy. Do they have a common design guy that runs from one company to the next?

DJ [/QUOTE
The guy that owned Bobcat sold it and started Scag. So I would say yes there may of been some, working together on that one.

[turfguy]

most often I will email the seller with all my questions. If the item seems to fit the bill I would put in a bid. On big ticket items I would drive down and take a good look and then hand over the cash on the spot. I looked at that scag and it looked pretty rough but my last scag looked pretty bad and it still cut like a dream, sorry i ever sold it. After 10 or so purchases I have never gotten burned on ebay. good luck

[Premo Services]

I have not used the personal pace system before only heard some on it What do you think about it also got this mower for $400.00 plus $45.00 S/H so $445.00 that is over $150 savings [B] [QUOTE]
Holloway lawns
If you got the toro super recycler, you got a real good deal. I bought a super recycler personal pace 21in last year for 550.00.
I like how you can get close to trees,etc, by letting off the pressure, but still have the unit being self propeled. The mower mulches great, and for bagging, it does a good job also. I really like the warruanty, 5 years, if it doesn`t start in two pulls they fix it free. It has always started on one or two pulls, except when I forget to prime it.:D

[KirbysLawn]

Yep. Just bought this for $315..

http://members.aol.com/tntdeal/red1.jpg

Bought a McLane reel mower last month, mower was a great deal and like new still under warranty. I've been stiffed twice and both time it was with a new seller and small ticket.

I sold a car, my old trailer, and many other things with no problems.

Ray

[Holloway Lawns]

Woke up this morning and my new Toro was at the front door. The one I just got off e-bay I am a bit upset that Fedex would just leave it at the door when no one answers but I am glad I did get it just put the handle bars on it add oil and fuel started on the first try. I am right now letting it run to break it in some. Will use it later today. On my own yard. E-bay has been good to me I have only bought twice on there and both times no problems.:angel:

[Just Turned Pro]

For TomsLawncare and anyone else who was taken on Ebay... make sure to save all of your correspondance with the person who defrauded you and report it to www.ifccfbi.gov (http://www.ifccfbi.gov) . This is a federal repository for auction fraud. Chances are if someone took you... they are taking other people too.

[charlesw]

Originally posted by Just Turned Pro
For TomsLawncare and anyone else who was taken on Ebay... make sure to save all of your correspondance with the person who defrauded you and report it to www.ifccfbi.gov (http://www.ifccfbi.gov) . This is a federal repository for auction fraud. Chances are if someone took you... they are taking other people too.

Thats good to know.

[lamblawnscaping]

I bought a barely used (100 hrs) scag hydro 48 off ebay for 1700. I used the buy it now feature, i'm sure it would have sold for much more if the bidding continued. The machine was in great shape and I rented a penske truck and drove down to pick it up. The whole deal worked out great.

[Robby51]

I have sold four or five pieces of equipment on ebay. Sold a John Deere 345 to a gentleman in Seattle that sent a employee to pick it up here in Iowa. Sold a Gravely to a man in Ohio and a Dixon to a man in Kansas. Shipped a Utility Tractor to a guy in Kentucky. They were pleased and I was also. Look at the ratings of the people, see how many they have and how many are positive. Check mine if you like (Robby51). I have 262 ratings with only one negative from a jerk that tried to stiff me. You can get some great buys on Ebay and save some big bucks.

[bob]

I've bought, a like new Shindaiwa T-270 $250
like new Stihl 039 saw $350
5lb spool of Veri trimmer line $5
8 fully automatic trimmer heads $100
new wood cutters helmet with shield and ear muffs - $31
Kodak 3900 digital camera with dock, 16meg &8 meg cards,and soft case. $432

and tons of other stuff. Most people are honest. Thats were the feedback rating helps out.

[GLM]

Ebay is the way to go if you have a little faith in it and deal with credible people. My best deal on it was a BRAND NEW Kohler 14hp OHV(CV14T) engine for $249.00 (new walk behind engine) and my only reget about it is that I didn't by the 12.5 HP that the same guy had on there at the same time. Two brand new Kohlers for $500 would have been nice I'm still kicking myself over that one I should have bought both! But Iv'e bought truck fenders for 19.99 brand new lifetime warantee radiator for $99.00 , Gravely snowblower, all types of other parts and things and the list goes on. Before I buy anything now I go there first, you are taking a risk but at some of the prices you can get stuff for it can be well worth it.

[John DiMartino]

I bought 5 things from Ebay,biggest was a generator,shipped from Colorado,everythign was as described,and still works perfectly,no problems at all.

[Evan528]

I have bought several things off ebay and was very happy. One item I payed for ($250) and never recived it. Thank god i put it on a credit card, I just put the item in dispute. Credit card is the best way to go for online purchases just for that reason!

[JimLewis]

I've bought and sold hundreds of things from eBay. I'd say I have about a 99% satisfaction rate with eBay. Very rarely have I been screwed or received something that wasn't as specified.

Relating to this business, I've purchased a good 3 or 4 Echo Blowers from eBay. All of them were New In Box and worked perfectly when I received them.

I also sold my Honda 4 cycle Stick Edger on eBay last fall.

[Jason Pallas]

When those of you who did buy on E-bay searched for items (landscaping related) , what key word phrases/searches did you use for your searches? Thanks.

[GLM]

Keep it simple, I usually search for very specific stuff like "scag" or "gravely" or "kohler" or "commercial mower" or "stihl" this way the search finds every item for sale with these words on the title. Keep in mind when you put "kohler" in it will pull up everything with kohler in it, engines, toilets and all type of other stuff.Try items a couple of different ways if you can't find what your looking for. And remember the auction isn't won until its over. Just don't bid on anything that I want!

[plow kid]

************

I sell stuff on there all the time,
~NaTe

Nate, you know better. This is just an attempt to try and get members to view what equipment you are currently selling.

[scagman]

I would like to buy maybe a good used w/b if it was a good deal, but I dont want to pay alot for shipping and not going to drive a thousand miles. Has anyone ever bought a like a 48" w/b and had it shipped. How much does it cost say from Atlanta, Georgia to Seattle, WA area?

[awm]

shipping is the balance factor,plus the fact its not as simple if something is wrong etc.u cant just run it back to the dealer.
ebay has a pretty good system to keep people honest.
although some people dont think they living unless they clip somebody in a deal.
as far as best way to search ebay. never use plural form.
try it.type in chain saws,then go back and type in chain saw.
u ll see the difference. later now

[plow kid]

Nate, you know better. This is just an attempt to try and get members to view what equipment you are currently selling.



Oh really, well for the money spent it gets more coverage then..............nevermind....... http://members.aol.com/ncls484/smilies/neener.gif

[tomoaktree]

Originally posted by jimlewis
I've bought and sold hundreds of things from eBay. I'd say I have about a 99% satisfaction rate with eBay. Very rarely have I been screwed or received something that wasn't as specified.

Relating to this business, I've purchased a good 3 or 4 Echo Blowers from eBay. All of them were New In Box and worked perfectly when I received them.

I also sold my Honda 4 cycle Stick Edger on eBay last fall.

Why did you sell the Honda? I bought one last year and it seems ok.

[GreenIsland]

For the most part ebay is great as I have purchased and sold hundreds of items on this website. AS well as met and traded with people all over the world. My bit of advice would be to ask alot of question before purchasing anything-- especially something with a internal combustion engine (hair-puller). ALso check on the history and trading recordof person in question. I have found that the majority of transaction are great and superceed face to face transactions with unknowledgeable people. I ask you, Can a Ebay trader be any more or less crooked than anyone- selling anything -anywhere. There are good and bad people everywhere and it is always buyer beware in any market. I have been took just as quickly as those I once deemed my friends or my loyal neighborhood dealer For the most part everyone I know has had great dealings on ebay. One question you might always ask is how long they will hold it and if and how they will araqnge shipment. Good Luck.

[lawngator]

I'm all for EBAY. I've bought and sold on it quite a bit. I just listed my Snapper Z on it. The best thing it did was advertise. I wasn't really worried about getting bids. Almost 1000 people looked at it and I've been getting tons of e-mails. You can beat that kind of exposure.

[brucec32]

I have bought and sold on Ebay. It's great. I was ripped off for $60 once. I've bought maybe 50 things, but nothing very expensive.

I would considering buying a mower there only if I could drive up to see it first or was dealing with a VERY high positive feedback selling, preferably a dealer, and they would allow me to pay with a credit card so I would have chargeback protection in case of fraud. Paying before you see is risky.

Hints:

Don't bid until the last seconds of the auction. Otherwise, you may get into a bidding war with a determined buyer. You can snipe him at the end and win if he thinks he has it wrapped up at a low price.

On money you can't afford to lose, ask if the seller will accept escrow and you'll pay the fees. Be wary of anyone who won't accept escrow. They may have something to hide. Like you won't like the mower when it arrives.

Anything more than 1-2% negative feedback is a bad sign. I've sold hundreds of items and never had ANY.

The more details they include in the ad, the better. IF they just say a couple of paragraphs, they may be trying to hide the flaws by ommitting things. My ads for two mowers I sold there were long, since my items are in great shape and I want to make sure people know it.

Again, be sure you can pay in a protected way. Either cash in person after inspecting it, or credit card at least. Paypal is NOT protected against fraud. They didn't do diddly for me when I was ripped off, and if you read carefully they don't promise to get your money back, only to "try". A real crook will have already withdrawn the funds and they're gone before you know you've been ripped off. Ebay's fraud protection is only about $200.

Compare the cost of new vs. the worst case scenario with a mower. If it's out of warranty, you'd better save enough to buy a new engine if it's shot or a new hydro motor or pump. For commercial use, I would stick to "nearly new" mowers or a really nice example of a more used one. Some of the ones I see on Ebay are just total junk. They're may be selling them because they run them every day and have realized they're about to die.

Be aware that some warranties may not transfer to the 2nd owner. Research the brand to make sure you have a warranty.

Simpler mowers are less risky. A 12.5hp fixed deck belt drive has fewer expensive things to fix than a ZTR or hydro w/b. A smaller engine might be only $600 and even a transmission can be replaced for $200. But a 23hp Kawasaki might run $1500 or a hydro pump/motor $700 or more.

[Bluesteel]

I’ve bought and sold many (about 200) things on eBay, some were large ticket items. Not much for the seller to worry about, but the buyer has to do their homework. Search for the same item in the “Completed Item” section, and you’ll see what it’s going to take to win the current auction. If the seller is local, you can save on shipping, bid more, and still get a good deal.

If the seller has little or no feedback, they may not care if you’re satisfied, so that’s where you have to get some kind of guarantee. Be especially careful of a new eBay seller that’s got a large ticket item up for sale, like a mower, car, etc. They may just be new and honest, or they may want to dump something.

If the seller has a feedback rating of 40, they’ve probably sold 150 items. Most people are lazy and don’t give feedback unless it’s negative. If you’re concerned, send a message to the other eBay members that have done business with the seller. Try to find the items they sold where the buyer didn’t leave feedback. A seller with perfect (no negative) feedback is probably going to go the extra mile to make you happy.

If it’s a large ticket item, go pick it up if at all possible. I make my buyers pay cash if they do, but at least they get to inspect the item. If you’re smart, you’ll start small and then learn the ropes. Just like in any transaction, the people in a hurry will pay the most and are most likely to get burned.

About a month ago, I found a "new" Stihl Pole Saw (retails for $300) on eBay and won it for $145. It was a little scratched on the handle, but the blade had never been used. That deal turned out to be a real Stihl!!!

[challenger55]

if your going to buy something on ebay i would go over there and get it if i won it and then pay it in cash

[walker-talker]

I bought a $9,000 Walker off eBay....well sorta. I was high bidder at $7500, but didn't get it for that. Reserve was $9500, I offered $9000 and drove 16 hours (roundtrip) to pick it up. A year later I found this site and was re-united with Capt Devo. Saved about $1500, so it was justified.

MATT

[Likestomow]

I bought a new Great Dane off ebay, but it was a dealer selling it. I was very satisfied.

It was about 850 miles from me, so I had it shipped by truck. The cost to me was less than $200.

Check out FreightQuote.com. They have an 800 number and an operator will help you with all the details. This is really a great way to have big heavy things like mowers shipped.

I have two walkbehinds that I'll be putting on ebay in a little while, a Turf Tracer hp and a Toro hydro. I think ebay is a great way to buy and sell if you check out their feedback.

[tinman]

I buy & sell quite a bit on ebay & love it. 98% of the people are honest , but I would definetly check the seller's fedback rating because that is an expensive item!

[richard coffman]

I like e-bay, but have been taken once and I figure i shouldn't let me keep from Buying stuff in the future. Now when it comes to the equipment that we all love, I'd actually stick with the used equipment forum that we have here at lawnsite.com. I haven't bought anything yet myself, but come across a few good deals here and I'm pretty sure none of the guy's would stiff another owner/operator for we have that done by a few customers here and there and wouldn't wish that one anyone. :D

Since we all generrally get along, I'm sure we're all pretty straight shooters, just a figure of speach. :)

[Team Gopher]

If due to location, you can't go and pick it up, it might be a good idea to pay by credit card so you have recourse if the product never arrives or arrives in a damaged state.

[rotgg]

i have bought many things on ebay but i wouldnt buy anything for my business on there but thats just my 2 cents

[work_it]

I buy things off ebay all the time, and have never had any problems. 48" Bunton, Husqvarna 55 Rancher (chain saw), watches, carpet cleaners, table saw, vaccum cleaner, etc......

Just make sure the seller has a positive feedback of at least 99.7%. Read the feedback profile. On high dollar items be very careful. There's more and more scam artists every year. Don't pay more than 10% down until you can see the item and make sure everything is exactly as described.