Buying on Ebay

[Hahn]

Has anyone had any experience using Ebay for an exhaust or other parts?
Seems I can save lots of $$$$, buts whats the catch? GST for one I guess...

Anyway I'm looking at this nice looking piece of bling...:drool:
GSXR 600 K7 Yoshi R55 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/YOSHIMURA-SUZUKI-GSXR-600-GSXR600-R55-STAINLESS-FULL_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em14Q2e l1262QQhashZitem4836822621QQitemZ310152144417QQptZ MotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories)

Any thoughts?:girlfight:

[Ixion]

I have made numerous purchases from Ebay, by and large satisfactorily.

GST is seldom a problem, though you may be obliged to pay it on very expensive purchases . I do not know about that , being only a poor impoverished old man subsisting etc etc.

The big hassles are usually (a) sellers who do not want to post to NZ , which most of them have never heard of (b) grotesquely incorrect addresses on the parcels (c) the freight or postage cost. Be VERY sure to check this first, and ensure that it is indeed the postage to NEW ZEALAND (d) the exchange rate . Do your sums carefully

[Voltaire]

Has anyone had any experience using Ebay for an exhaust or other parts?
Seems I can save lots of $$$$, buts whats the catch? GST for one I guess...

Anyway I'm looking at this nice looking piece of bling...:drool:
GSXR 600 K7 Yoshi R55 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/YOSHIMURA-SUZUKI-GSXR-600-GSXR600-R55-STAINLESS-FULL_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em14Q2e l1262QQhashZitem4836822621QQitemZ310152144417QQptZ MotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories)

Any thoughts?:girlfight:

I use a Paypal account or secure Visa.
They will probably quote you Courier shipping as they don't want to be hassled with queueing at the Post Office and filling in Customs forms.
GST this end is hit and miss....
Make sure you get a shipping quote as sometimes its not worth the hassle.
Oh and check their feedback.
Good luck

[Southern man]

Brought a few things of ebay and generally very good. As previously posted check all the add ons before commiting. But I have got some bargins. Below about $500 doesn't seem a problem.

[mossy1200]

Has anyone had any experience using Ebay for an exhaust or other parts?
Seems I can save lots of $$$$, buts whats the catch? GST for one I guess...

Anyway I'm looking at this nice looking piece of bling...:drool:
GSXR 600 K7 Yoshi R55 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/YOSHIMURA-SUZUKI-GSXR-600-GSXR600-R55-STAINLESS-FULL_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em14Q2e l1262QQhashZitem4836822621QQitemZ310152144417QQptZ MotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories)

Any thoughts?:girlfight:
Make sure you request USPS as post as they are cheeper by about half for larger items.takes 7-10 days.Americans love courier services which save a couple of days but international freight with courier is more expensivethan they realise.
GST will only apply if total including freight is higher than $400 NZD and they dont catch all purchaces.A big percentage slip through.
Watch buying from sellers with low sales vloumes.

[SPman]

Check postage...UK is OK, USA is variable, Europe is fucking expensive!

[wickle]

Have bought quite a bit via ebay, a while back bought two exhaust systems amounting to $1200/1300nz including freight had no problems came home from work to find large parcel on door-step

[johan]

It completely depends on what you're buying and from who.

Check out the Brembo break parts for example. The are normally $300 USD, would you buy the same part for $40 shipping from Thailand!?

I would be suspicious about stuff shipping out from HongKong for half the price etc... Use your head and check their history... Good luck.

You can ask the seller to lower the value on the shipping slip to get around customs, but watch out for the insurance if you do this.

[jaymzw]

You can ask the seller to lower the value on the shipping slip to get around customs, but watch out for the insurance if you do this.

I have found from experience most people aren't happy to do this but as others have said NZ customs are abit of hit and miss with their implementing of GST

I've bought a few things off Ebay for my K6 GSXR. Although i tend to stay on Ebay.com.au and ask them to ship here using colloquilisms like 'can you ship over the ditch mate' LMAO!

Yes you can save a shit load. I dont even bother with Paypal as i dont have a credit or debit card (too young) i use international bank deposit using Westpac. Costs me $25.

Tips for buying at the moment would be

Hong Kong currency (dollar?) is extremely high
British Pound very high

So both these places wouldnt be bad to buy from. Use the bank calculator on your banks website like this here (http://bnz.co.nz/Personal_Solutions/1,1184,1-1-122,00.html)

[boman]

I have bought stuff from e-bay in the states. I used Paypal for the transactions, as most traders prefer that form of payment. I have bought a seat, Rear hugger, carbon fibre chain guard, and some other miscellanious parts and have had no trouble with customs at all. The most expensive item, was about $300.00 US. My father in law got pulled up by customs, on a set of exhaust pipes, but he had brought quite a bit of expensive stuff in over a short period of time, so that may hve had some bearing on it.

http://www.xe.com/ucc/ is another currency calculator I use that is quite handy.

[Hailwood]

Bought heaps of stuff for my last bike from Ebay and never had any issues with postage or customs. The costs ranged from $100 to $1220 and all were well packaged, delivered promptly and were exactly what they said it was......just do your homework on the seller first

[Boob Johnson]

I use a Paypal account or secure Visa.

lol @ "secure visa", very much an oxymoron :rolleyes:

[YellowDog]

Has anyone had any experience using Ebay for an exhaust or other parts?
Seems I can save lots of $$$$, buts whats the catch? GST for one I guess...

Anyway I'm looking at this nice looking piece of bling...:drool:
GSXR 600 K7 Yoshi R55 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/YOSHIMURA-SUZUKI-GSXR-600-GSXR600-R55-STAINLESS-FULL_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em14Q2e l1262QQhashZitem4836822621QQitemZ310152144417QQptZ MotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories)

Any thoughts?:girlfight:
Bought loads of stuff on ebay.com. The US$ and GBPound are making items very cheap at the mo.

eBay isn't always the best value. Loads of firms will ship internationally.

You can get good deals in NZ too, if you ask!

[jack_hamma]

I have found from experience most people aren't happy to do this but as others have said NZ customs are abit of hit and miss with their implementing of GST



As jay said, abit of hit and miss... the rule used to be over $400.00nz you may get charged gst, over $1000nz you may get GST and a duty? or you may find it is on your back door when you get home after work. But overall.. I would buy it.

If you have worked out the saving is worth, it then do it. :headbang:

[AllanB]

If you are after mufflers I'd stick with the big stores like

www.denniskirk.com
or
http://www.starcycle-usa.com

lots of brands and little chance of any problems.

[Hahn]

Cheers for all the advice. Ended up using a store like Allan sugested. T'was an expensive night, but saved quite a bit too:2guns:

[Dodgy]

I just went a bid mad and purchased a new Akrapovic can from Japan and a shock, forks and wheels from the US. Thankfully, I have free freight ex US to NZ!

[Jizah]

I just went a bid mad and purchased a new Akrapovic can from Japan and a shock, forks and wheels from the US. Thankfully, I have free freight ex US to NZ!

Any way you can share that luxury with the rest of us? Well, more importantly, me? :D

[red675]

bought quite a few bits and so can offer these averages:

5% chance the bits won't be as billed, ie damaged in some way

5% chance the deal will go sour in some other way because the seller's a scum bag

all in all about the same as Trademe I would think

[Argyle]

Bought a SHOEI Flatter xr1000 helmet from USA on EBAY but the shipping is expensive 84dollars or something for express and tracking etc.

[johan]

I ordered two (used) Brembo break calipers last Wednesday 26th from a trusted Ebay store.

They just arrived to my desk here at work, a week later.

No customs no GST no drama.

(and I did ask around locally before I bought it overseas, to be a good citizen)

Now I have to examine them to make sure they are in good shape.

[Jizah]

I ordered some bar end mirrors off ebay last week. NZ$29.95 including delivery. Just waiting on them to arrive now.

[klyong82]

Have bought rotors, exhaust, rectifier/regulator, screens, crash knobs etc for my Fireblades thru Ebay. So far all good experience. Save between a third to half price in all case. Items arrive within 2 weeks which is better the bike shops bringing ex-Japan stuff at higher price and longer time.

Always pay by paypal so that in the event of a dispute paypal will re-imburse you the cost. ABout to purchase a set of brake pads so hopefully another good experience.

[jaymzw]

Have bought rotors, exhaust, rectifier/regulator, screens, crash knobs etc for my Fireblades thru Ebay. So far all good experience. Save between a third to half price in all case. Items arrive within 2 weeks which is better the bike shops bringing ex-Japan stuff at higher price and longer time.

Always pay by paypal so that in the event of a dispute paypal will re-imburse you the cost. ABout to purchase a set of brake pads so hopefully another good experience.

With Paypal, could i use a debit card?

Also, is it like escrow i think it is, where they hold the money, then you are shipped the goods then the money is released? If so then that is great! I always thought it was just sort of like tracked Western Union

[Jizah]

With Paypal, could i use a debit card?

Also, is it like escrow i think it is, where they hold the money, then you are shipped the goods then the money is released? If so then that is great! I always thought it was just sort of like tracked Western Union

Yes you can use a debit card. I do. And I am pretty sure the money just goes straight to the sellers paypal account. But paypal are able to reverse the charges if necessary.

[mynameis]

I have made numerous purchases from Ebay, by and large satisfactorily.

GST is seldom a problem, though you may be obliged to pay it on very expensive purchases . I do not know about that , being only a poor impoverished old man subsisting etc etc.

The big hassles are usually (a) sellers who do not want to post to NZ , which most of them have never heard of (b) grotesquely incorrect addresses on the parcels (c) the freight or postage cost. Be VERY sure to check this first, and ensure that it is indeed the postage to NEW ZEALAND (d) the exchange rate . Do your sums carefully

E) Add than another 2.5-3% on top of your final purchase price and then convert to NZ $. NZD is good at the moment.

F) Use USPS International Express Mail for tracking option.

G) Allow about 2 weeks.

;)

[Slingshot]

I've brought off ebay...it's good when the exchange rate is favorable!

If you can, use a credit card for payment, the chargeback/disputes process works much more in the cardholders favour if you have problems with the seller (unless Paypal have changed the way they manage this).

Also, don't forget that there'll be currency conversion charges for pretty much what ever form of payment you choose.

[klyong82]

With Paypal, could i use a debit card?

Also, is it like escrow i think it is, where they hold the money, then you are shipped the goods then the money is released? If so then that is great! I always thought it was just sort of like tracked Western Union

Yes Paypal is something like a escrow but the money actually goes to the sellers account directly but Paypal will still am to reimburse you if you have a dispute but subject to their investigation. You can get your bank account connected to paypal....

[Hahn]

I received a letter from NZ Post this morning. "A formal customs clearance is required".

...looks like I may be up for some GST:sweatdrop

oh well, was told that may happen.

now...:beer:

[Naki Rat]

Check postage...UK is OK, USA is variable, Europe is fucking expensive!

And in the unlikely event that you find something cheap on Ebay.com.au the post from Australia is both more expensive and slower than ex US or UK.

[YellowDog]

And in the unlikely event that you find something cheap on Ebay.com.au the post from Australia is both more expensive and slower than ex US or UK.
Yep, I've found that too.

Cheapest way from Aussie is to get a mate to post it.

[Berries]

So, I have only ever bought one thing on Trademe and that was a greenhouse on the wife's account. Never even looked at Ebay until tonight.

Starter motor has died after three years of relatively easy use so I am not really wanting to give Suzuki what I imagine will be close to $500 for another one that might last just as long.Can see them on Ebay for 110 of our NZ dollars.

Should I be worried about the made in China tag? Ordinarily I shun buying on the internet as opposed to the local shop but I am pissed off enough that this thing has given up after three years and put me off the road for a couple of weeks at least. Guessing the OEM stuff is made in China anyway?

[russd7]

have you checked the price with your local store first or is it just a guess it is $500, I buy quite a bit from both Europe and the states, only bought one thing that ended being Chinese made and it was shite.

[Berries]

Local shop was shut today. Genuine Suzuki motors are sitting at around US$300 from what I have seen online so far. I hope to be happily surprised in the morning, they'll see it as a fault and even though it is out of warranty replace it for free.

I like to dream.

EDIT - Thankfully Suzuki saw it as a fault and have agreed to replace it. I like it when the right thing happens.