Ebay, too big for it's own good. (ebay.co.uk)

Member Name: rachelew

Product:	ebay.co.uk
Date:	29/05/09 (159 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: You can sell things from home.

Disadvantages: Ebay doesn't do enough to protect you from non-payers

Ebay, there was a time when I thought it was the best thing since sliced bread, now I'm not so sure. My first experience was selling a greenhouse. How exciting it was that Sunday evening with 25 people watching my item and people starting to bid! it sold, for £250...then nobody paid and the buyer went AWOL. Despite ebay claiming that you are entering into a legally binding contract when you win an item, and you must pay, there is really very little they do apart from put a 'strike' against the non-payer. No big thing if you aren't a serious user. Since the greenhouse debarcle there have been several other instances of non payment, or very, very late payment. Ebay did nothing to help. In addition, I have had to deal with some buyers who are simply more trouble than they are worth. I sold t-shirt for £1 (times were hard!) and the buyer complained it didn't look like it's picture and sent it back for a refund. It did look exactly like the picture, was a branded make and cost her £1. I have to ask do these people have nothing better to do!

It's quite easy to work out how to sell an item, it's harder to work everything else out from there. It can be confusing if you are not a regular user. buying things is a bit more straightforward. i just think it's got too big and there are too many traders on there rather than individuals just selling something they no longer need.

Then there are the fees! You kind of forget about this until they take it out of your bank account, they can get quite hefty if you are selling expensive items, and amount to about 20% of your profit.

Overall, it's got too big for it's own good.

Summary: Give it a go, but proceeed with caution.