For the last two years I slowed down a bit. Especially after I sold off my business. I would say back then I would average at least two packages a week to my door from eBay, now it's down to about 2 or 3 a month. But constantly.... that's about all I do anymore. Go find in retail to handle it, review it and make my buying decision. Then off to eBay to save a bundle.
And Greencinacheeks is right... keep shopping around even on eBay... eventually
even after shipping, you're most likely still gonna save money.
And in terms of getting ripped off. About 7 years ago... yup... lost 1200.00 on a laptop purchase/scam. Turns out crimes like this have to be over $25,000.00 before anyone takes notice. I about crapped my pants when the local Dept of Consumer Affairs Attorney told me that - as legally anything over 1000.00 is grand larceny(sp)/theft - a felony. Here's a long story, actually made short:
I had documentation of where the person lived, heck even a photocopy of the guys drivers license from the "mail box shop" they had rented their shipping po box from.
But ney... the government (law 'enforcement') did nothing. I still have everything reguarding the incident in my desk drawer in an envelope. About two years ago (the crime happened in Apr 2001) I finally got a call from the Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs in Georgia (that's where the guy lived and where I filed charges) inquiring about it - 5 years LATER! I about flipped out on the phone... the lady tried to claim... "we just got this"... I told her to look at the postage mark and date on top of all my letters and try to come back on the phone say that without laughing.... she paused for about 20 seconds... "Well.. my office just got it... I don't know why it took 5 years to get here....?" "Since it's been so long, I doubt we can do anything about it/find the person." My response was a very rude... "Do ya think?"
Still today, I've never heard back. I had a phone number at one time that was suppost to be the person's number. I called and got an answer, they said "Wrong number"... two hours later called same number back... disconnected number. All this was in the packet I sent to Georgia... and Georgia shafted me on it. I don't know what more they needed to catch the guy. He's gotta pay taxes at least, or car payments, or have credit, or have a bank, or pay rent, or renew his driver's license... something that is easily trackable to get a current residence address of him. But since it's not $25K+ no one but me really cares.
(Wow... I'm really on a rant there ain't I?)
So it happens to people for sure.
Since then I've wised up a lot and take some extra precautions when it comes to my purchases. Mainly I look for a high number of history sales (1000+) and a high rating (95+). I also have my PayPal account tied to a creditcard that guarantees/insures online purchases. So it's zero risk to me now. But, I have yet to get ripped off since, so just using my "head" so far since has kept me safe.
The company that I use most/quite often on eBay has an eBay store. JMExotics is their name. Typically they have some good prices (but still not always the cheapest).
Yes... look at the shipping costs. Sellers jack up shipping costs to fool eBay - not necessarily the end buyer. You see eBay charges them a small fee based on a percentage of the sale (before shipping). So sellers try to cheat out eBay of their "cut" by setting the price low and shipping extremely high. Thus the seller keeping nearly all it's profits and eBay getting nothing.
eBay has caught onto this and is slowly tracking down and closing accounts that practice this. Just there are MILLIONS of users and stores to track so it's near impossible to find them all, let alone "PROVE" it is truely a jacked shipping. Especially when sellers have the legal right to charge a "handling" fee as well, which no-one can dictate a rate on.
One finaly note.
I support local businesses as much as possible, but still I look for anyway to save myself some well needed cash when ever possible.
OMG I've written another novel of an email. Sorry.... I could go on and on about it.. I better stop right now as this is just TOOOOOOO LONG ALREADY!... Not to mention this isn't really a "bird" topic/response is it.
Good luck...
YES EBAY IT! That's my suggestion.
EDIT: My god... I need to lay off the coffee... way to much... way to early in the morning... LOL (yup Nate... too much time indeed!)