Topic: buying on ebay?

[superyota]

i recently won a bid on a cobra 18 WX Cb radio off ebay, new, for $15.50.  On the main page for shipping details, it says "local pickup".  I am local to the area the item is in, and when I go to pay for item, it tries tacking on $50 for shipping and handling .  is this some sort of a scam?  I havn't paid for it yet and am trying to get a hold of the seller to find out what the deal is.  any suggestions?

[toe]

Probably not a scam, too much automation in the system...............

So don't pay online.

I'd make arrangements to pick it up and pay cash.

The seller can then mark it as paid.

[jrock]

Pay thru PayPal so you can cancel payment if it turns out to be junk. Pay n cash if you can plug it in and test it out.

[superyota [OP]]

i just got a hold of the guy.  he said cash only, no paypal.  sounds kinda sketch.  i'm going to meet up with him as soon as i get off work in 20 minutes.  will it hurt the radio if i power it up without an antenna and squeeze the handle to make sure everything as far as the meter show right, or will i ruin it?

[brainlessfool]

i just got a hold of the guy.  he said cash only, no paypal.  sounds kinda sketch.  i'm going to meet up with him as soon as i get off work in 20 minutes.  will it hurt the radio if i power it up without an antenna and squeeze the handle to make sure everything as far as the meter show right, or will i ruin it?

it could. you need a "dummy load"

[fordh8r]

it could. you need a "dummy load"

Don't "key it up" without an antenna...it's not good on the Finals. You don't have an antenna already set up on your rig or even just a magnetic mount type you use for a test? Borrow one if you have to. 

[kneedownnate]

Many have been burned by the paypal game and choose not to include the hassle.  I've bought and sold a lot on ebay and haven't had any significant issues either way.

[Rocksurfer]

My wife is a Power Seller on ebay and all I have to say is don't do it. It is a scam and if you check ebay faqs you can be banned for paying for this outside of ebay since they won't get their cut. Only pay for ebay items through paypal, they have a bunch of ways to complete a sale. Plus paying through paypal is guaranteed, if you get junk and report it they will instantly refund the amount up to $500.00 I believe.

[superyota [OP]]

I picked up the radio last night.  It was still in the box, in a sealed bag with all the cords and mike in a sealed bag also.  I asked the guy why he was getting rid of it and he said he bought it for his car and it was to big to fit in the dash.  I havn't had a chance to power it up with an antenna yet.  going to do it tonight

[kneedownnate]

Paying outside paypal is NOT against the rules.  Ebay still gets their fees from the seller, which is what they charge for.  As a buyer, you do not pay for an auction to be posted, the seller does and is charged AFTER the auction ends.  You can most definitely pay the seller in person with cash, check or peanuts, it's up to them 

[*FFC*]

Paying outside paypal is NOT against the rules.  Ebay still gets their fees from the seller, which is what they charge for.  As a buyer, you do not pay for an auction to be posted, the seller does and is charged AFTER the auction ends.  You can most definitely pay the seller in person with cash, check or peanuts, it's up to them  

Yeah that.

I hope your purchase turns out to be a good experience in the end Ed. I Ebay (or used to Ebay) a LOT and sometimes I forget to check details like how sellers prefer payment. I deal with Paypal ONLY, and the least shipping possible!

BTW: I just won an auction for some land! I never thought to buy land on Ebay. Who'da thunk paying cash would make the buying process so much simpler than dealing with loan docs etc! My uncle actually bought it, I just won the auction for him because he doesn't have an Ebay account. $2905 for 2.6 acres... in CA to boot!