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💬General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: bkenobi on May 04, 2018, 04:58:42 PM

Title: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: bkenobi on May 04, 2018, 04:58:42 PM
I don't think Ive seen this discussion here, but maybe theres already a thread.  If so, sorry.

I may be alone here, but I've been seeing ebay transition from a place one can easily find a wide range of products unavailable locally and for a fair price into a den of cheats and scams.  I'm mostly referring to the bait and switch advertising they now make possible through what I assume is a loophole.

In order to make a single ad that covers multiple options (size, color, etc), ebay made a dropdown available to sellers.  This is a good thing really.  Since differences could affect the price, they allow the change to adjust the price.  That is also reasonable.

However, it has become increasingly difficult to find the product desired especially when sorting by price.  That's because some sellers (read everybody from China from the looks of it), seems to add a plastic flower to the ad which costs $0.01 (yes, a slight exaggeration).

Has anyone found a solution?  I've tried different search and filter approaches and have been looking at other sights also.  I just go stung for a second time this year by the ad being so confusing I ordered the wrong product entirely somehow.  The ad says the model number but he default option was the lower model I assume.  Since it was from China, I had to wait weeks to find out which is the most annoying part!

I may just get prime and stop buying from ebay entirely especially if the state tax exemption goes away.
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: dhouston on May 04, 2018, 05:57:22 PM
I may just get prime and stop buying from ebay entirely especially if the state tax exemption goes away.
Over the past year or so Chinese vendors have learned how to game the system. Using AliExpress, I had one vendor send me 50 long outdated ICs that were totally unrelated to the ones I ordered. In another case the tracking number indicated my package was delivered - 3000 miles from where I live. After wasting 2-3 days trying to navigate their complaint process I gave up - I doubt any humanoid has ever successfully filed a complaint let alone received a refund. These were small transactions so I just stopped using AliExpress.

I've seen similar issues with Chinese vendors on EBay (where I avoid items shipped from China) and even through Amazon (where it's not easy to see when an item will come from China. I try to buy only Prime or items sold by others but shipped by Amazon.
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: Knightrider on May 04, 2018, 06:22:51 PM
Seen it. The $10 option is out of stock, so you need to buy the $50 option .
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: brobin on May 04, 2018, 06:42:46 PM
When searching for a product on ebay the first thing I do is click "US Only" under the "Item Location" filter.  Only if the US prices are more than I want to spend and I don't mind waiting and rolling the dice on what I get, do I look at the Chinese sourced items.  That said, I have ordered from the Chinese sources on ebay and haven't had any problems.  At least with ebay & Amazon you have recourse. AliExpress not so much.  On ebay I will not order from any seller with less than a 99% rating.
 Lately I've found that Amazon usually has prices that are as good as or better than ebay on a lot of items.  Like Dave, I did get scammed on a Chinese sourced item on Amazon but they refunded my money promptly.  The scam works like this: You order the item and promptly receive a tracking number. Since it's coming from China you know you have to wait. Eventually you see it clears customs and, in my case, made it to the expected USPS distribution center in my state.  Then you see it's out for delivery but to a different city. The actual recipient receives something worthless (like a plastic flower or hairpin).  At this point the "seller" is long gone and has the money. At least Amazon's "A to Z Guarantee" process is fairly easy and they will issue a refund within a few days.
 As for the ebay drop downs, yes, they require extra scrutiny as they often show a lowball price for an unrelated option so that they appear at the top of the list when the "Lowest Price First" filter is used.  Best to skip the listings that show a price range since they're rarely a good deal.
 BTW, if you're going to get Prime (it's worth it) do it now as the price is going up $20 on May 11th!  Also, if you have Prime and your guaranteed delivery date is missed - even by just a day - call and report it and get a 1 month extension on your Prime membership.
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: BackAgain on May 18, 2018, 09:19:36 PM

However, it has become increasingly difficult to find the product desired especially when sorting by price.  That's because some sellers (read everybody from China from the looks of it), seems to add a plastic flower to the ad which costs $0.01 (yes, a slight exaggeration).

Has anyone found a solution?  I've tried different search and filter approaches and have been looking at other sights also.


I may just get prime and stop buying from ebay entirely especially if the state tax exemption goes away.

The plastic flower is not an exaggeration.  There was a seller that included one of those cheap spinner toys among tech items normally selling for $20 or more.  The spinner toy was sold out so you couldn't order it however.

One 'fix' that floats around the Community Boards there is this.  Once you have everything else set and know what price range the item you want SHOULD fall into ($25-30), set something just below that ($15) as the lowest price to include ($15 min - 50 max).  Your sort by 'lowest price' should then be above the trinkets.


I'm doing just the opposite and turning away from AMZ.  I prefer to buy from small business people like many of the sellers on E than a mega corporation run by a gazillionaire.

Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: HA Dave on May 18, 2018, 10:33:45 PM
...... I've been seeing ebay transition from a place one can easily find a wide range of products unavailable locally and for a fair price into a den of cheats and scams. 

Retail has never been static.... and never will be. Even though we are individuals..... we purchase with a herd mentality. So retailers will always be catering to how we want to shop.... and trying to win the competition to sell to us. The crooks and scammers are merely a result of the difficulties of marketing. Some sellers will always be willing to lie and cheat.... maybe... just to make payroll.

EBay, Amazon, Sears and Roebuck, even General Motors..... sooner or later will close their doors.
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: JeffVolp on May 21, 2018, 03:14:28 PM
Two of the last three products I purchased on eBay came in Amazon boxes with "gift" notices inside.  One was a book, and the other was a package of electric fence insulators.  Apparently people are using Amazon as a drop shipper for their eBay sales, probably taking advantage of Prime to offer free shipping.

It looks like eBay is just becoming a sales front end for drop shippers.

Jeff
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: dhouston on May 21, 2018, 09:37:23 PM
Two of the last three products I purchased on eBay came in Amazon boxes with "gift" notices inside.
I recently experienced  just the opposite - an order to Amazon came from Walmart. The seller merely ordered the item from Walmart and had Walmart ship it to me. It even included the packing slip with the price which was about 7% less than I paid Amazon.
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: HA Dave on May 22, 2018, 01:29:12 AM
Two of the last three products I purchased on eBay came in Amazon boxes with "gift" notices inside.......

I recently experienced  just the opposite - an order to Amazon came from Walmart...…...

I think you both just experienced the fringe of the "just in time" warehouse scheme.... and the newer on-line "virtual store". Very little is universally like in the old days. And in some ways.... that's kinda sad. While out riding today I noticed the number of delivery trucks (UPS, FedEx, and USPS)...… everywhere. People... (apparently US too)…. enjoy our on-line shopping.


And now that I think about. My very first on-line purchase..... was with X10. 
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: BackAgain on May 22, 2018, 08:11:00 AM
My first wasn't X-10, but I can't recall what it was.  I remember the daily (or more often) X-10 spam that plugged up my inbox quota though.


I Neg sellers who dropship.

There have been reports on the eBay boards that if you complain to Amazon and they confirm the seller misused their Prime account, SOME people have received credits or Gift Cards for $10-15, though others have said they didn't get one.
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: JeffVolp on May 22, 2018, 10:20:53 AM
I think you both just experienced the fringe of the "just in time" warehouse scheme.... and the newer on-line "virtual store".

Another one yesterday...  I had ordered a small wall-mount 12V power supply on eBay, and yesterday received a notice that the Amazon warehouse was out of stock even though their eBay listing still says more than 10 available.  I gave them the OK to cancel and issue a refund, but then they said the order was cancelled because something was wrong with my shipping address.  Then to top it off, it appeared to be a US seller (hldb) with inventory in California, but the name on the PayPal refund notice was in Chinese characters.

I started looking for an alternate supply.  As you can guess there are hundreds listed.  But then if you look at the other products they are offering, it includes all sorts of widgets like one would find in a dollar store.  So clearly these are all fronts for drop shippers too.  I finally chose one that included photos of a warehouse with an actual physical address in Florida.

Jeff
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: dave w on May 22, 2018, 05:00:12 PM
I gave them the OK to cancel and issue a refund, but then they said the order was cancelled because something was wrong with my shipping address. 
I have had very similar experience, only when the cancellation notice came through, it said "Order was cancelled by the buyer." I don't care, but I wondered why the seller blamed me, when they said they were out of stock(?).
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: Brian H on May 22, 2018, 05:56:08 PM
If the buyer cancels the order. It probably doesn't ding the seller and maybe dings the buyer.

I have also received an eBay order shipped from Amazon. I suspected they had an Amazon Marketplace store and an eBay account. Shipping from their Amazon Marketplace Store.
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: BackAgain on May 22, 2018, 06:00:04 PM
but I wondered why the seller blamed me, when they said they were out of stock(?).

OOS Cancellations are very serious, sometimes account fatal dings.

Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: HA Dave on May 22, 2018, 09:12:10 PM
…... I remember the daily (or more often) X-10 spam that plugged up my inbox quota though.

X10 when a LOT further than just spam.... they pushed (or users involuntary pulled...) pop-ups! It was awful for a short while.

This isn't the first bout of click-stores either! Bill Gates drove the first wave of click-based attempts at earnings with his predictions that those who jumped in with on-line ventures first.... would prosper in the long term. The idea Bill Gate sold was first on-line would be like Sears and Roebuck in future years. Kmart (if you remember Kmart) even jumped in with both feet (1998?).... giving away FREE dial-up Internet (they called Blue light). You just had to put up with the Kmart sale ad's.
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: BackAgain on May 23, 2018, 05:09:32 AM
I used Bluelight for a while.  Beat AOL, Earthlink and NetZero.

Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: HA Dave on May 23, 2018, 09:01:39 AM
I used Bluelight for a while.  Beat AOL, Earthlink and NetZero.


At the time.... my wife's (teenaged) daughter lived with us... so I had two phone lines (no available broadband). We had AOL (ISP) that the wife used on one line. Then I'd use the Blue Light (and later NetZero) on the other. Windows 98 supported multipliable video cards... so I used two monitors and would display the ad's on one monitor and use the other. 
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: BackAgain on May 23, 2018, 10:47:26 AM
I tried another local ISP for a while too.  Their offices were not too far away.  On sign up, they sent me the install kit ---  something like 20 3.5" diskettes.

Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: Knightrider on May 23, 2018, 01:27:50 PM
I had a 2400 baud modem that dialed a bulletin board and telneted to the mother gopher. Modem connected with parallel port.
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: Brian H on May 23, 2018, 03:41:49 PM
Can't remember the speed. My first had rubber cups. You put the telephones handset into after dialing it.  ::)
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: BackAgain on May 23, 2018, 04:01:39 PM
Probably 300 baud, acoustic coupler.

Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: Brian H on May 23, 2018, 05:42:30 PM
Probably 300 baud, acoustic coupler.

That does ring a bell. Thank you for the information.
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: dave w on May 23, 2018, 05:52:39 PM
Yeah, I remember 300 baud. The telegraph was faster.  :'
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: BackAgain on May 23, 2018, 06:06:30 PM
^^  Send a message, go make a pot of coffee, come back and wait for the message to finish being sent.

Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: Noam on May 24, 2018, 10:17:00 AM
If I remember correctly, I think the modem we had attached to our old Apple ][+ (the limited-edition black Bell&Howell model) was a 300 baud one - but none of the BBSes my brother used to dial up to ran at that high a speed. I don't think I ever used the modem with it. I most used it for games and some very basic BASIC programming.
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: BackAgain on May 24, 2018, 01:38:11 PM
Back to topic, they sure don't like to be told how bad they've screwed the site up.

Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: brobin on May 24, 2018, 04:57:51 PM
Since we're talking about Amazon, here's a service that actually has saved me some $$. It's called "Honey" and whenever you look at an item on Amazon (and some other sites) it gives you price change info and recommendations on lower cost offers for the same product from other sellers on the same site. For example, if you're looking at a $30 item sold by Amazon with Prime, it'll show you another seller (with or without Prime) on Amazon with a lower price even if the only difference is no sales tax. I'm sure they're capturing info on what I'm looking at but so is everyone else.
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: HA Dave on May 24, 2018, 08:32:05 PM
…… if you're looking at a $30 item…….. I'm sure they're capturing info on what I'm looking at but so is everyone else.

My wife often refers to our Echo devices as "she". It's natural to personify pets and even machines. But the "they" (and "everyone") you refer to... is merely servers... running programs. Sure Amazon could condense the numbers down to a more-or-less "human-manageable" handful of customers... but for what purpose? The algorithms work well with their business model. THIS... is what AI looks like. This (in part) is how it works. AI will be a huge part of our future (whenever the future is).
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: bkenobi on May 29, 2018, 09:36:10 AM
Maybe I need to revise the title.  Now the package that I ordered for the 4th time* from China and the USPS held while out of town has gone missing.  Maybe I should include the USPS into this.  They aren't responsible for ebay, but their one job is delivering parcels.  Or, maybe this outsourcing of everything shipped direct from China isn't the answer.


* 1st was never shipped, 2nd was a scam,  3rd was wrong item, 4th was "delivered"
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: Knightrider on May 29, 2018, 10:22:33 AM
I lost my waterfall pump last Saturday.  Ordered a new one. Estimated delivery via USPS is Friday. USPS tracking says it hasn't been received yet.

I don't think I'll have it by the weekend.
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: bkenobi on May 29, 2018, 12:44:57 PM
I miss being able to go to the store and pick up the item I wanted.  I could make sure it was the right item before I left the store and even easily return it if I decided it wasn't the right item within 90 days.  With online, I can order anything in the world from anywhere in the world and I end up with the wrong item most of the time since I can't see it in person.  I get that makes me old fashion, but being able to get the item I want with no hassle has not been my experience with online ONLY shopping in general (meaning not inspecting in person before ordering it online).  I wonder if this is some of the push that Amazon has seen in justifying a "regression" back to brick and mortar?
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: dave w on May 29, 2018, 03:39:55 PM
I lost my waterfall pump last Saturday.  Ordered a new one. Estimated delivery via USPS is Friday. USPS tracking says it hasn't been received yet.
I don't think I'll have it by the weekend.
Yeah, I get this all the time also. I order a lot from Ebay. The problem occurs when the Ebay seller uses the Ebay app to print the label. When the label is printed, Ebay then sends a notice (email) to me saying "item is shipped". But it isn't, only the label was printed. So the seller still has to pick, pack, seal, affix label, and get it to USPS, before it is "shipped". I have seen this process take a day or more. I guess it is a trade-off for low price. Five 33k 3watt resistors from Mosler is near 30 bucks with shipping. From a China seller, is under four bucks for everything. Maybe three weeks ship time however.
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: Knightrider on May 29, 2018, 07:49:16 PM
I use 1 hp sump pumps. They're cheap. My last one made it 2 seasons before the magic smoke came out. Starting cap is bad, but I have no desire to open a sealed unit and then throw it back in my pond. For now, I can spin start it.
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: dave w on May 30, 2018, 03:56:00 PM
I use 1 hp sump pumps. They're cheap. My last one made it 2 seasons before the magic smoke came out.
Wow, smoke out of a submerged pump. Now that IS magic.  rofl

Sounds like you have quite an estate in Buckeye land. I think you should have that fire belching pipe organ down at the end of the drive playing Thunderstruck, something like this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgzZLNwqvdQ
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: Knightrider on May 30, 2018, 05:53:10 PM
Now I'm curious how he did that. A fake pipe organ is one thing. Real bagpipes are another.
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: HA Dave on May 30, 2018, 10:31:11 PM
I miss being able to go to the store and pick up the item I wanted.  ........................

I shop in stores all the time (at least a lot... for an old retired guy on a fixed income). Still lots of stores that haven't closed up.... yet.

........With online, I can order anything in the world from anywhere in the world and I end up with the wrong item most of the time since I can't see it in person...….

I feel the same. The large selection... the greater number of choices...... can/does cause misunderstandings, errors, bad decisions and even greater numbers of crooked vendors.


Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: bkenobi on May 31, 2018, 09:15:04 AM
There are still a lot of stores, but they are more and more carrying only the quick moving items.  If you need a part for a grill that you purchased from HD that was their standard brand, you probably have to buy the part from them for in store pickup or shipped.  They don't sell enough to keep them on the shelves.  The problem with that logic is, if I know they won't have that item in the store, I'm not going to the store.  When I go to HD, I typically spend a lot more than $5 for the seldom purchased grill part.  Without that being in stock, they lose all of the other purchases too.  From what I've been seeing, all the box stores (HD, Lowes, Walmart, etc) seem to be following the same logic.

I know a lot of people are very happy buying online (and I do it a lot too).  I just feel that if I need some nails, it would be easier to look at them in person next to the project in the store to confirm that it's the right size/type rather than waiting 3-4 weeks after guessing at what is actually being sold.
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: HA Dave on May 31, 2018, 09:32:48 PM
People my age used to complain that products were no longer made to be repaired. Now that "boomers" are no longer the majority purchasers.... even parts are hard to find. It's become hard to find repair people as well. At least for now.... we've become a disposable society.

Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: bkenobi on June 03, 2018, 09:36:15 AM
That's true, but it doesn't mean I can't try to fix things that were designed to be thrown out.  I would rather waste my time than add to the landfill because it's easier.
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: HA Dave on June 03, 2018, 12:49:16 PM
That's true, but it doesn't mean I can't try to fix things that were designed to be thrown out.  I would rather waste my time than add to the landfill because it's easier.

I didn't mean to sound like I advocate waste. I do NOT. But fixing/repairing is an uphill journey at this time. And some recent advancements in products makes not modernizing... a burden. 
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: bkenobi on June 03, 2018, 04:12:36 PM
Absolutely.  I have a GPS collar for my dog that stopped working.  It's made by Garmin who is considered top of the line for that stuff.  I contacted them and was told that while it normally would be under warranty, because it's an older model they don't have stock of them and won't offer a repair/replacement.  Since I can't replace it or fix it professionally, I opened it to see the board (which is what they would have done).  The board is SMD so that's bad for me, but I found a single scorch mark by a component.  If I knew what it was, I'd replace it.  But, because they won't tell me I am probably going to have to throw out a $200 collar for a $0.10 chip.  I assume it's power related, but since it's only marked with "731" I can't find it anywhere.   :-\
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: brobin on June 04, 2018, 12:28:12 PM
Sounds like it's a 730 ohm 5% resistor (see http://www.resistorguide.com/resistor-smd-code/) but replacing it may not address what caused it to fail.  If the unit is under warranty the warranty language usually states that a company will repair or replace with an equal or better product if the original model is no longer available. Might be worth taking another run at them and ask for a supervisor.  I try to use only credit cards that offer extended warranties where they usually double (up to one year) a product's warranty.  If the item goes bad they just credit your card with what you paid for it. I've had to make occasional claims and it's really easy.
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: bkenobi on June 05, 2018, 08:23:42 AM
I assume it's some kind of power IC if it got that hot.  It's a 6-SIOC and it's TINY!  I removed it with my hot air gun so I could see if there was any other damage and maybe find an ID on the back of the chip.  Nothing...  The only thing that comes up on Google is TI Audio amplifiers but I'm not sure how that would be applicable.

I contacted Garmin a couple times and the resolution was that the warranty would cover it but they seem to have shortened the term somehow.  I don't have a receipt at this point, so I'm not sure I could prove anything to them.  They would replace it with a like unit but they don't have any left so they offered an upgrade at a higher cost than I can find outside the Garmin store.  So, I'm probably going to get something soon, but I was hoping to repair this one as a backup.  Last communication from them was "we don't have any information on the board or the chip, sorry".   :-\
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: BackAgain on June 07, 2018, 03:43:08 AM
I use 1 hp sump pumps. They're cheap. My last one made it 2 seasons before the magic smoke came out. Starting cap is bad, but I have no desire to open a sealed unit and then throw it back in my pond. For now, I can spin start it.

Harbor Freight's submersible sump pumps have wording on the packages that they're meant for tempo0rary use and should not be left submerged for long periods.  I've used one in a cistern for a while to pump out for lawn and plant watering.  They work OK for a while, but eventually the motor seizes for some reason.  I've been able to open them up and lubricate them, but even that doesn't last.

For my pond, I've tried a few different pumps intended for ponds.  I find the impellers degrade over time and no longer push water.  I can't find suitable replacement impellers, so I end up having to replace the pump.  Companies get $50 instead of $5 if you want to know why parts are not readily available.

Last one I got this past March is a 1,235 GPM unit for $44 so we'll see how long it lasts.

Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: JeffVolp on June 07, 2018, 05:22:58 AM
1,235 GPM

That is one huge pump unless you meant GPH.

Jeff
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: BackAgain on June 07, 2018, 05:31:40 AM
Yeah, something like that.  Hs look like Ms don't they?

Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: petera on June 07, 2018, 11:13:59 AM
Built in obsolescence is the standard manufacturing mantra now. Labour costs have risen so high manufacturers neither want nor encourage repair. Lean manufacturing systems does not allow for it and additional logistics involved in return, repair and return makes no sense to them. One less process involved. It is cheaper to replace a complete unit than repair it. It's the pull and push process world we live in now.
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: BackAgain on June 07, 2018, 01:17:34 PM
It is cheaper to replace a complete unit than repair it. It's the pull and push process world we live in now.

Why does a replacement set of printer ink cartridges cost as much or more than a new printer with ink cartridges?

Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: bkenobi on June 07, 2018, 01:39:45 PM
I've purchased new printers because the ink was too expensive in the past.  The funny thing is, I sold the printer without ink (after using the OEM cartridges) for the same price I paid for the printer.  Yeah, disposable printers is a silly concept.
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: dhouston on June 07, 2018, 05:23:13 PM
https://www.amazon.com/Dell-C1760NW-Color-Printer-Resolution/dp/B00A2KFGF2 (https://www.amazon.com/Dell-C1760NW-Color-Printer-Resolution/dp/B00A2KFGF2)
https://www.amazon.com/JARBO-Compatible-Cartridges-1350cnw-C1765nfw/dp/B075KDVDJQ/ref=pd_sim_229_92?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B075KDVDJQ&pd_rd_r=4ESWTNFN3M5WPM2STHEV&pd_rd_w=XJQWc&pd_rd_wg=c1LRx&psc=1&refRID=4ESWTNFN3M5WPM2STHEV (https://www.amazon.com/JARBO-Compatible-Cartridges-1350cnw-C1765nfw/dp/B075KDVDJQ/ref=pd_sim_229_92?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B075KDVDJQ&pd_rd_r=4ESWTNFN3M5WPM2STHEV&pd_rd_w=XJQWc&pd_rd_wg=c1LRx&psc=1&refRID=4ESWTNFN3M5WPM2STHEV)
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: bkenobi on June 09, 2018, 11:13:02 AM
I just get aftermarket HP cartridges now.  The official ones cost around $30 whereas I pay around $3 for the ones I use.  The printer I have is a bit unique in that the print heads are in a separate removable module so the ink os fairly cheap. On the other hand, I don't use enough ink so the print heads have been replaced 2x.  Those are $75 each x2 from the store and remanufactured don't seem to work.
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: dhouston on June 09, 2018, 01:28:27 PM
On the other hand, I don't use enough ink so the print heads have been replaced 2x.
That's why I gave up on inkjets and went to the inexpensive laser I linked above. I've had it for a couple of years and am very happy with it. Way back in the mid-80s, I paid $3000 for an early B&W laser.
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: bkenobi on June 10, 2018, 07:49:53 AM
Next time this one has an issue, I'm either going with a laser or nothing at all.  I got an AIO because the SO said it had to have a fax and scanner...which never get used since we don't even have a phone line anymore.
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: HA Dave on June 10, 2018, 01:09:24 PM
….. the SO said it had to have a fax and scanner...which never get used since we don't even have a phone line anymore.

I am also NOT a fan of little home ink jets. But I set mine up fully wifi… so the scanner can create images or PDF's from a scan. Which is then sent right to my mobile phone.
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: BackAgain on June 10, 2018, 01:24:53 PM
But to get back on subject, sort of, why is it when I search there for my type of ink cartridges, I get 50 real ones for near market prices and a bazillion 'compatibles' for a couple of bucks each?  Do people really trust those?  Really?  A 24 pack of six cartridges of each color for a whopping $15 for the whole bunch?

Is this what people have come to expect from there?

Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: HA Dave on June 10, 2018, 02:03:01 PM
Is this what people have come to expect from there?

Yes. And Craigslist has also declined. Both..... as social media "Markets" are blooming... and are more localized for many items.
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: brobin on June 10, 2018, 03:00:43 PM
But to get back on subject, sort of, why is it when I search there for my type of ink cartridges, I get 50 real ones for near market prices and a bazillion 'compatibles' for a couple of bucks each?  Do people really trust those?  Really?  A 24 pack of six cartridges of each color for a whopping $15 for the whole bunch?

Is this what people have come to expect from there?

Really, I do trust those - at least a few brands anyway.  I have both a B&W multi-function and a color Brother laser printers as well as a Brother inkjet and have had absolutely no problems with "V4Ink" and "Miroo" brand toner & "EZ Ink" ink cartridges from Amazon. They're dirt cheap, work as well as the genuine Brother ones and don't leak or cause clogging.  All my printers are at least 4 years old (the B&W one is 7!) and there's been no adverse effects.  I use the V4Ink drums too when needed.  It's not that the 'compatibles' are so cheap, it's that the OEM branded ones are so expensive! The compatibles are being sold at a profit and, at least for the three brands I mentioned, deliver an excellent product.  I don't believe that Brother or any other OEM has magic formulas or uses higher cost ingredients that can justify their high prices.  They're just using the Gillette sales mantra of, "Give away the razors to sell the blades."
I prefer buying on Amazon instead of ebay as it's easier to return things and I'm a sucker for free one or two-day delivery.
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: bkenobi on June 11, 2018, 06:56:49 AM
I use HP88 cartridges which are just a reservoir and a stupid chip designed to disallow refilling.  They can easily be refilled but I don't want to deal with the chip or potential leaks.  So, I get them for around $3/ea shipped and let someone else deal with the mess.  I figure it would cost around $1-2 for ink and $50 for the chip tool so it's no big deal to get them this way.  I have not been getting any name brand versions, just whoever is the lowest price and close to me in the US.  I've had no issues.

I suppose it's possible that the ink isn't as good as the original and that's what led to print head faults...but I doubt it.  Ink is pretty much ink despite what the OEM's tell us.  They have even shifted their practices recently (Epson's 2 year ink tank models).  They are getting killed by sticking to their old tactics, so they will have to adapt.
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: dave w on June 11, 2018, 03:46:54 PM
Way back in the mid-80s, I paid $3000 for an early B&W laser.
Been there, done that.
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: HA Dave on June 11, 2018, 07:13:34 PM
……. Way back in the mid-80s, I paid $3000 for an early B&W laser.

Been there, done that.

Back in the mid-80's I once paid $35 for lap-dance.... and still feel like I over-paid. You guys make me feel frugal. 
Title: Re: eBay is pissing me off <semi rant>
Post by: BackAgain on June 11, 2018, 11:08:08 PM
Looked at lasers the other day.  Least priced I could find was nearly $200 and it was B&W with no scanner for copying.  Color with  a scanner was higher.  I can buy a new Ink Jet every couple of years and cartridges in between for that price.

Back on topic ...  sort of.....  I was looking for cartridges to compare to the big box office store.  Same exat part number was comparably priced with the occasional 'deal'.  One seller had a slightly better version ('XL' whatever that means) for a slightly lower price.  I might have gone with that one but the shipping was going to be a week or so.  Normally that would have been fine and I would have waited.  But I was going to town anyways and I found an extra coupon for the big box office store, so it worked out better that way this time.

BUT ....  I also found a bunch of sellers listing 'Setup' cartridges; the ones that come with printers ...  the ones that are only partially full.  I'm not aware that you can buy those separately.  It appeared to me they were buying printers with cartridges, opening them, removing the cartridges and selling them without the printers for nearly the price of the fully filled versions.  I didn't check to see if they were also selling the (now scavenged) printers as well.