Buying used on eBay, your thoughts?

silenthunterstudios

silenthunterstudios

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I have recently bought several used knives on eBay, I got a great deal, and they are overall in good shape, I didn't expect them to be perfect. My question is, I bought a Delica and a SOG Trident. I realize that a lot of sellers on eBay are unscrupulous, and that a lot of photos are stock photos, most descriptions are not accurate, or too short. Two problems I encountered with my used knife purchases: 1, my SOG Trident, which I just recvd last night, emits a loud thwack that doesn't sound too good when I open it, I haven't had the chance to really test it. Is this just what the knife is supposed to sound like? I realize that the knife is an assisted opener, and that it will open fast, but it sounds like something is grinding on the inside. I have looked at it, I don't know what to do either than call SOG about it :confused: . 2, My Delica came with a loose blade. It's secure enough to cut with, I have no fears about it closing on my hand, but I would like to use it as my main EDC, I'm currently looking for another Delica. I already have an answer for myself, I guess, but I would like to hear some pros and cons from either eBay users. Thanks.
 
I can't imagine a situation in which I would buy used from e-bay, especially not common production knives that you won't pay much for if you buy them new. I've bought a lot of new knives off e-bay, had to return a few, but so far I haven't gotten screwed out of any money. I've bought used from other forum members, with no problems at all. In fact, most of the forum members are so meticulous in their descriptions of used knives that I've always been pleasantly surprised at their condition when I recieve them.
 
I buy and sell used on EBay all the time, EBay is for the educated auction buyer.

Most people get burned because they don't ask questions or clarify things.

I never use stock pictures, my descriptions are usually a history lesson, and my descriptions are just short of actually holding the item in your hands.

Not all sellers are unscrupulous, some of us are honest, the buyer needs to understand that I hold no gun to anyones head when it comes to bidding.

I just sold a Buck 107 that I had for 15 years bought it on close out for $30 started bidding at $9.99 with no reserve,I could have lost money if $9.99 was the only bid, but it went to $124, I was happy to say the least, no scam, no stock photo, just an honest descrition and a good sale.
 
I have over the years settled on some rules for bidding on someone's item if I haven't dealt with them before, and so far I have not had any problems, and have gotten some good deals.

1. Don't bid on anyone with a feedback of less than 98%. (nobody is perfect, and sometimes things get lost in the mail.)

2. Read their negative feedbacks, look for consistent complains from different buyers. (for patterns of bad service)

3. Notice how they respond to negative feedback. (do they viciously attack the buyer, but not address the complaint)

4. Avoid sellers that only want money orders and refuse PayPal, unless they have over 100 sales with a 100% record. (it is MUCH harder to get a refund if you pay this way)

5. ALWAYS ask a question of potential sellers, at lest 2 days before the auction ends. If they do not anwser, or answer in a vague way, don't bid.


I won't claim this is a perfect system, but it's worked for me for the years I have bought and sold on ebay and so far I have not been cheated. I have had 2 items that one was lost in the mail, and the other was destroyed do to improper packaging, in one case the seller happily refunded and in the other they sent a replacement that was better than the original.
 
I have bought a few knives on eBay and things went decently.

I did try and sell a knife of mine on eBay with no luck, which really surprised me (I had it up for 7 days). I then put it up in the Exchange section of BladeForums here, and within 3 hours I had a response from someone interested. We exchanged information that very same day, and everything went perfect. I would recommend you check out either the Buy/Sell stuff or the Trade section in the BladeForums Exchange. It worked for me!
 
I've used eBay for some years now and only gotten burnt twice , not bad if consider the odds , lol.
I like used , older knives in need of some work , gives me a little hobby on the weekends but I always make sure to ask questions , some folks dont give proper descriptions of knives i.e blade length , tightness of blade in hilt and so forth , feel free to ask away. I've gotten some really good deals and only a few bad apples , such as the Chi com POS I accidently bought , thankfully it was just a few bucks.
eBay isnt for everyone , chances are if your not the 'yard sale type' you wont like ebay.
 
Great deals are to be had on eBay, especially when it comes to less known custom makers. I have won auctions on several occasions for knives that cost in excess of $400 where my winning bid was in the $125-150 range. The great thing is these are the knives I usually keep and use the most because I have the least in them.

I also am more than happy to take a chance on a new seller as long as they accept Paypal. If I were to get shafted (only once and they left me retalitory negative feedback), I could easily dispute the charge with PP and get my money back.

I bid using very similar guidelines to TLC's, #2, #4 & #5 are gospel.

Do your homework, know what you're bidding on and ask question. If anything makes you feel uncomfortable don't win the auction - there's plenty more fish in the sea.

About your Spyderco, it's not uncommon to have even a considerable amount of play in their lockbacks. You could either ask the seller to return it for you and see how they take care of you, or send it to Spyderco to see if they will repair it - most likely if they agree that it's excessive they'll just replace the knife with a new one.
 
I wouldn't buy a common knife, such as a Spyderco Delica used on Ebay. If I could get a real good deal on the Exchange forums here I would take it. Other than that things like that are cheap enough to buy from an online dealer new.

I have bought a few things on Ebay, and haven't had any problems yet. The one knife I bought on Ebay was a new knife from a dealer that also has a retail store. I had no problems with the deal and everything was nice and smooth.

I would say that the biggest things are don't bid on things with stock photos, unless maybe the seller has lots of good feedback. Also ask questions, even if you don't really need to know the answer, just to see how the seller will respond. Generally if a seller is bad at service before he has your money, well you can only guess how it will be after. Use the feedback, it is your friend, a few bad feedbacks isn't a huge problem. Everyone messes up, and there are just jerks out there who want the world and don't want to pay.

To me the bottom line is that buying on Ebay is a risk, that goes double for buying something that is described as used. You are much safer shopping here in the Exchange section. But if you want to use Ebay just be careful, and protect yourself as best possible.
 
I prefer the forums to sell and buy, but Ebay has been OK for me. Just check the background who you are buying from. I sell there when knives don't move here. The forums sometimes have a prevailing sense of what types of knives they like, where on Ebay, you are exposed to a larger audience, with possibly a wider variety of taste. Yes, you have to price it to sell, meaning exposing yourself to getting less than you might like, otherwise you fees are paid up and you have not sold the knife. I guess there's a certain thrill about that, sort of like gambling. But following the rules we set for ourselves here when we sell, meaning full descriptions and such, makes for an easier transaction. The buyer really knows what they are getting when they place a bid.
 
My first ebay purchase was a bad one. I won the bid and thats the last I heard.

I have since purchased all of my knives from the forum and could not be more satified with the results.

I have learned a lot, above mentioned tips and advice regarding dealing on ebay.

If they have negative feedback, outside of circumstances out of their control, just don`t deal with them.

I have purchased other items since without incident.


BUYER BE WARE, and know what your buying and from whom.

This is a great place to purchase and trade.
 
Regarding Bladeforums vs. eBay...

I have noticed, after years of this, that some things sell better on the forums but not on eBay, and vice versa.

I think this has a lot to do with a company/maker having a strong following here, so their knives get a little more money. In these cases it's best for a seller to sell here, but a buyer to find it on eBay.

Depends on what role you are in and what you're looking for.

Examples:

A rare or unique Buck 110 may get $150 or more on eBay, here it may sit for weeks getting reduced to under $100 just to get it to sell. I regularly see PCKS Buck 110's go for the $120 range and I've purchased them here on the forums for $80.

Another example would be a custom knife by someone who is a member of the forums or highly regarded here. One of their pieces may go for $300, but on eBay you could get it for ~$150 because they are not known on a national level the way they are here.

Sebenza's regularly fetch a premium on eBay, here on the forums they don't. Maybe it's because we know there will be another one in a day or two...

Right now I have a knife for sale here that I have reduced considerably and am losing money on with no interest, if I'd get off my butt and list it on eBay I can pretty much guarantee I'll get my money out of it or even make a buck or two.

I also notice that slip joints don't do nearly as well here as they do on eBay.

Another fact to consider is that many times here on the forums shipping is included in a price where it is generally not on eBay.

So what I'm saying is you have to know what it is you are selling, or trying to buy, and look to do it at the place that's best to maximize your buying/selling potential.
 
I just started selling knives on eBay, and I have been selling comics on their for much longer. People go nuts when you tell them that shipping will be higher for priority mail, people email me chastising me for my shipping rates, which are pretty low, and then email and threaten negative feedback after their shipment, that was sent Media Mail as requested, has not arrived yet. I'm thinking of giving it up, but I enjoy getting all of the deals on eBay on new knives. I describe my knives to the best of my ability, and have gotten great feedback from my buyers. I am in the process of getting some great deals on the selling forum, I may just stick here for used pieces.
 
I have bought some pretty expensive knives (and nativities -- my wife's collection) on ebay and do my homework. I did nearly get shafted by a guy with a 900+ rating who got squirrely and eventually got tossed. I was about the last guy to get a refund from him.

My secret is -------heh, heh, ---- no use letting THAT slip out.
 
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