Buying on Ebay

**Hahn** · 30th August 2009, 22:29

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

**Dodgy** · 1st September 2009, 13:06

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** · 1st September 2009, 17:44

Originally Posted by 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!

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

**red675** · 2nd September 2009, 10:16

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** · 2nd September 2009, 10:20

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

**johan** · 2nd September 2009, 10:27

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** · 2nd September 2009, 13:14

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

**klyong82** · 2nd September 2009, 15:08

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** · 2nd September 2009, 16:42

Originally Posted by 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.

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** · 2nd September 2009, 17:01

Originally Posted by jaymzw

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** · 2nd September 2009, 21:57

Originally Posted by 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

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** · 2nd September 2009, 22:42

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** · 3rd September 2009, 00:23

Originally Posted by jaymzw

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....