Ebay for cycling stuff - what's the point ?

[brokenflipflop]

I've recently been getting some parts together to build a bike and I've noticed that a lot of the second hand stuff on Ebay doesn't appear to make much financial sense to me.

For example. Someone recently was selling some shimano 105 brake calipurs. Hardly used (so they said) and just slight cosmetic scratches.

They eventually went for £50. Add the £5 P&P which totals £55.

I simply googled 105 calipurs and picked up a brand new pair (choice of silver or black) for £54.95 inc postage.

The same with the shifters. Same seller as the calipurs, I think they went for about £160. I'm sure I've seen them brand new for not much more.

Either some people are getting carried away bidding or the seller is getting friends/family to ramp up the prices in the hope one or two people are that desperate to win the auction they will bid over the odds just for victory.

I've nearly got all the bits for the bike now from sale items at proper bike shops. All new, 12 month warranty, certain not to have been nicked, more choice re sizes and colours and free postage.

I think Ebay is a bit like paying Selfridges prices at an Oxfam shop.

 

[Pikey]

I know what u mean! I've been looking for parts on eBay too and most recently there have been a lot of 'almost mint barely used' kit going for silly prices.

I'm sure its like u said, people getting mates to bid and up the price, a few times I've got into a bit of a bidding war in this situation, pulled out at the last minute and had the seller contact me after the auction as the other bidder 'wont pay'. All a bit suspect...

I suppose it's just like buying stuff down the market, but u can't spot the twelks in sheep skin coats trying to rip you off as easily...

 

[tyred]

Ebay has got to be far too expensive imo. Most of what you can buy on Ebay can be bought elsewhere for less, the only exception being odd or hard to find parts.

 

[Dave 123]

Ebay doesn't have bargains any more. As well as cycling I'm a white water kayaker. Boats (with scratches and gouges) go for almost retail price. Also the items are usually miles away.
I've used Gumtree to buy bike stuff recently, local, and no auctions. The downside is that I'll wager a fair bit is knock off*

*allegedly

 

[smokeysmoo]

A mate of mine has just sold THIS bike on Ebay. He bought it about 4 years ago and paid £280, he's commuted on it for the last 4 years and someone has just paid him £500! Granted it was in excellent condition, but even so.

Goes to show, they're not all locked up yet

 

[MissTillyFlop]

Still use it for cyclewear and that.

 

[Panter]

Ebay's great, but you have to be a bit careful. I think that some people assume that the best prices are on ebay, when sometime's it's not the case.


Cycling and fish keeping equipment seem to be two things where you can easily pay more 2nd hand if you don't search around thoroughly.

 

[Fletch456]

It could also be seasonal - a friend who is much more of an ebayer than me feels theres is a marked difference, this year at least, between Spring / Summer and Autumn / Winter on there. He said that earlier this year things were going for more than they have been in the past few months, such as a Dura Ace cassette which went for very little a month or two ago.

I also think that some people don't seem to be aware of the best online price from things I've been watching lately. Or they've got carried away without setting themselves a limit and sticking to it or barely deviating from it. It's exciting in that last hour or three isn't it though

 

[PpPete]

For "modern" parts it rarely represents the best deal. For items that have fallen out of fashion and bits and bobs that only fit older bikes its still a useful source.

Bits like this for example. You can buy the modern equivalent (ugly as sin) from several big online retailers for twice the price.

 

[DCLane]

I've found bargains and yes, there's people bidding above retail for stuff. It may be they don't have a credit card, or more likely it's shill bidding by getting someone else to bid on it. That's usually obvious if it's suddenly relisted, although it's not always shill bidding.

For purchases, much of my clothing has come from eBay - new and well below normal price.

I've also sold things though and they've nearly all gone for more than I paid for them originally, even when eBay's high fees and postage costs are included. The Peugoet bike I couldn't give away went for nearly £100.

Gumtree's good in some ways - last week I bought the Python bike from there - originally £500, the seller started at £260 and I paid £150 for an unused bike. It's supposed to be my dad's Christmas present, but it'll more likely be an n+1 bike for me.

 

[tyred]

There are still real bargains if you are prepared to be patient.

 

[Panter]

There are still real bargains if you are prepared to be patient.

Absolutely, or if you keep an eye out for things that finish early mornings or other slightly obscure times.

 

[The Dwaff Family]

I wouldn't be buying anything on Ebay unless it actually was a bargain and alot cheaper than brand new, great for selling things on though! I do find it mad how some peoplpe just get carried away and not research how much these things are brand new.

 

[Gixxerman]

I agree. In the early days of Ebay, bargains could be had.
However, now it seems to be more of an online shop (lots of buy it now auctions), or frequented by fools who will pay more for new stuff, or even in some cases, second hand stuff, than you would if you just bought from any normal shop (online or otherwise).
For example (not cycling related), a few years back I was after a force feedbak steering wheel for a PS2.
At the time, Argos were selling them for £50. I missed out on loads of them to stupid bids approaching, and in some cases exceeding the Argos asking price. One notable example fetching just over £70 + p&p, so £75 odd. I eventually got one for £10 + p&p, but it took a long time. This was not an issue as I was in no immediate rush to get one.
So I suppose there are still bargains to be had, but you have to look hard, and be in no particular rush for them.
Not sure why people will pay over the odds for stuff. Maybe they are not doing their research before setting their maximum bid.
I personally do an extensive internet search for what I can buy the item for new.
I then set myself a maximum bid of 80% of this for new stuff, and 50% for good second hand stuff. I base this on the fact that it is so much harder to get refunds on Ebay compared to a real shop / internet retail store.

 

[middleagecyclist]

Bargains can be had. I got a £50.00 piece of electronic gear for 99p +p&p recently. Result!