eBay is a very mixed bag, and they are trying to improve it overall. The key depends on what you are wanting to buy.
As a buyer, nowhere else can you find as wide a variety of vintage items of all types (use the term vintage in relative terms), collectibles and generally good quality used items as eBay. You want a pair of nicely broken in pair of USA Lucky Brand jeans, a classic heavy duty Singer sewing machine and a pair of really good speakers... or sneakers - eBay has you covered. If the item is not as good as described, eBay has you covered.
As a seller, if you have something special to sell, often eBay is the best place to sell it. To take the above examples, where else would you get a good price for those USA Lucky Brand jeans you no longer wear, sell Grandma's 1960's Zig-Zag Singer in minty condition, sell those high-end speakers you stuffed away decades ago or those USA made Chuck Taylor shoes?
Right now, sellers have it tougher than buyers. For every scammer seller, there are countless more scammers as buyers. Even if you know the signs, and cover yourself, so many buyers abuse the returns feature stating an item is defective when they either just don't know how to use it, refuse to read the owner's manual, changed their mind or just plain broke the item.
I buy and sell on eBay - primarily sell. Biggest issue lately has been buyers abusing returns. On eBay, you can claim an item is defective and get free return shipping and a full refund. Way too many people claim an item is defective, when they either can't operate it, used it and no longer need it, broke the item or never even opened the box and just changed their mind. This goes against the seller's record. The seller does have protection against major fraud, but be prepared for a fight. If you sell music, as example, and will not accept returns back (unless truly defective) - you are penalized.
Now eBay will be telling buyers to offer a 90 day return policy this upcoming holiday season - or loose a discount in fees. Dear Lord, it's getting to be impossible.
Though this question has already rated a best answer I hope my two cents won't be minded and I figure the story I am about to disclose is pretty significant to the question.
I hate Ebay, I find them to be very insecure and their missing item policies (after one doesn't receive a response from the seller) to be a loop-da-loop road of bullshit.
In 2005 was when I made my account and I was a frequent and perfect scored 6/6 buyer. It was enjoyable until one day I started receiving handful after handful of emails inquiring about items I was selling which made no sense as I'd only had one listing for a copy of 'The Lion King 1 1/2' on DVD. When I logged into my account sure enough I spot at least four other listings for items that I'd not put up, mostly car parts. Anyone who knows me knows that even today it's impossible for me to sell car parts as I don't even drive.
So I reported this to Ebay and my account was locked which means restricted from basically all activity except posting to the forums. It's still locked to this day, I don't know how to get it off and I made multiple attempts including on the forum but was ignored.
That's when I stopped using Ebay.
At least until 2009 when I found a shoulder bag I very much coveted but was not able to find on Amazon. So reluctantly I made the purchase on Ebay from a new account. After waiting out the estimated arrival period the item did not show. Now I had not understood about contacting the seller via the Ebay system, I'd tried to inquire in personal email (The sellers address was listed in the receipt) and had not received a response after about a week so I decided to take it to Ebay. Now since I didn't have a Paypal account I'd made the payment on the item as a Paypal guest since a Paypal transaction was required. Well due to this when I tried to contact Ebay via a costumer service phone number I was told to file the complaint with Paypal. This required me to actually make an account. So I was reluctantly in the process of doing so when somehow, I can't recall how I'd browsed the seller's Ebay profile and stumbled across the contact button. This time I received a prompt, apologetic response and they'd sent another of the item.
Nonetheless that process that I'd begun and would have had to go through with had the seller not responded through Ebay had made no sense to me and was quite irritating. All because I didn't have a goddamn paypal account! How ridiculous but It was a $50 item by the way so like hell I'd let it go.
So in conclusion Ebay is crap. Amazon is much more straightforward, helpful and the prices are way better. Plus they don't require Paypal.
Amazon >>>>>>>>>>Ebay!
I think it's great. It tends to be the only place I shop except for a few specific things on Amazon or independent sites. Amazon is lower priced for books.
It's a NICE Place to Visit... But You should be CAREFUL- What You Buy There !! ;)
