dbwes

Forgive me if there has already been a thread like this, but I was thinking today that my CC addiction replaced my ebay addiction (which was a good financial move on my part!) When I did hang out there, I mainly bought copies of old childhood book favorites and old vintage postcards of the Wisconsin North Woods. I hear people at work who actually buy designer clothing and other bigger ticket items. I had never even thought of doing that. What about you all? Do you ebay and, if so, for what?
Oh, and have other sites replaced ebay for you -- craig'slist or anything else?

CBBBlinker

Bought a new set of golf clubs on ebay last year -- irons from one place and a driver from another. But perhaps this isn't true "ebaying" since the items were new and just for sale at a great price, as opposed to an actual auction. OTOH, my H is on ebay a lot, checking out sports cars. Although he has bid on a few, he's never met the reserve price, so, at least for now, our collective wallet is safe!

Re: Craigslist -- I've used it to get rid of some stuff (in the "Free" section), along with "Freecycle." (We moved recently, and both sites were great for helping us clean out the attic.) Friends of ours have had tremendous success w/ Craigslist for getting rid of stuff (fixtures, building materials, etc.) after tearing down their beach house, and for getting some furnishings for the new house.

MomofWildChild

I use ebay a lot to buy and sell. We sell old electronics, jewelry, designer purses I am tired of etc. I am careful to buy from reputable sellers- I have had good luck with phone accessories, IPODs, and other brand name goods. Many of the sellers these days (as opposed to years ago) are actual retailers or wholesalers as opposed to individuals. I used to buy and sell German mohair teddy bears, too. I recently had a bad experience as a seller. I was dealing with an idiot who wanted to return something because he didn't like the length of the chain on the necklace. I took it back, and he had broken it. Anyway, he filed a paypal dispute without even giving me the chance to negotiate with him. I prevailed, but refunded most of his money anyway because I was able to resell the item. It was time consuming and annoying.

JEM

I have occasionally bought extra settings or pieces for my good china on ebay; it has worked out well.

kathiep

My husband and I both buy and sell on e-bay. My husband is always looking for the "perfect" trumpet and also motorcylce parts for his Triumph MC. I tend to buy books or a kitchen tool.

My other favorite BB's are tripadvisor and the other travel forums (Lonely Planet, fodors and frommers) and citydata.com. I also belong to a private BB where about a dozen of us have become good friends over the past few years. BB's are certainly addicting. My husband goes on a MC one and my boys go to gaming BB's. We all have imaginary friends!

mallomar

We have purchased two saxophones on ebay. One was exactly what we expected. It turned out that the second one was worth about four times what we paid for it. I have bunches of stuff I need to sell on ebay, but for whatever reason (probably CC!) I haven't mustered the energy to do it.

Although CC is a major time sucker, Trip advisor is even MORE SO. How I love to share my witty opinions.

kathie.. is there something wrong with imaginary friends?

Redondo Dave

I use ebay to buy concert tickets and sporting events. I was able to go to the final Stanley Cup game last year and see Anaheim win the Stanley Cup thanks to ebay. I have also bought first edition books as gifts, replaced a four iron that I lost, and various other items. My son has fed his European history habit with great purchases of photo albums from German soldiers, helmets, and French Revolution artifacts.

Rachacha

My husband has been selling outdated computer equipment for years on ebay (well, I guess it is not outdated yet for someone!). I recently started to sell high quality mostly professional clothes that I will not longer fit into, and have made a good chunk of change for the D1 college visit trip fund. Now I am posting some things for my mother as she is downsizing for a move to an apartment, it is amazing what has become collectible recently! Hard to part with the items, but you still have the memories!

As far as buying, just bought D's prom dress on ebay - gotta watch out and make sure accurate measurements are on the postings though, since most sellers (including me) will not allow returns if it doesn't fit...

mom60

We have never sold anything but have bought stuff. Mainly clothing for my girls. Juicy brand sweats. Cell phones. I also try to only buy from sellers with lots of feedback.
One large buy on ebay. My 13 yr old bought a saddle. It was scary. All our other ebay purchases were under 100 dollars and we figured it was not to risky buying sight unseen. The first person we tried to buy a saddle from had no feedback and was a nightmare. Saddle not what it said, she sold it to more then one buyer for an amount she didnt' realize. She was not trying to cheat us she just didn't know what she was doing. The good news we found another saddle that was just what she was looking for and it came promptly and she has been happily riding with it the last 5 months.

paying3tuitions

Our car (l0 characters)

katliamom

guilty as charged. I regularly buy:

* high-end perfume and cosmetics (hint: the mini/trial size are the way to go. a basket of mini perfumes make a great gift for young women just getting into it. And you can get a bunch of minis of one cream and still spend only a fraction of a regular size tube/jar.)
* hard-to-find Japanese hoodies for my 15 yo son
* designer shoes. Those I try at the store first to learn which sizes work best. So far I've gotten stuart weitzmans, bruno magli and tods for the price of a sale shoe at the mall.
* designer purses. these are for my purse-obsessed mom.
* old silver (demitasse spoons, sugar/cream containers etc)
* depression-era pressed glass dessert plates & bowls

katliamom - i'm a mother, a wife, a daughter and an ebay addict.

mootmom

I've completed my entire collection of Metlox Mobile dishware, and regularly expand my collection of Keith Haring art, books, and memorabilia through eBay purchases. My brother collects monster movie posters, plastic model kits (especially Rat Finks and some nutty characters playing various instruments which name I can't remember now), and Monster Greetings trading cards all from the '60s, and eBay is his friend. I've sold things there also, but estimating the shipping costs got to be a hassle so I'm less of a seller now.

I use craigslist for things that are more local (buying and selling concert tickets, and big items that couldn't be shipped, like the motorcycle).

toledo

CC has cut my time on ebay, too. In the past I've bought everything......including the kitchen sink (just last week) for my kitchen remodel. Broadway tickets to sold out shows, many antique pieces, a Westin condo rental on St. John, UGG boots (didn't think they were fakes), 50 yr.old Life magazines to give as birthday gifts, and discontinued china pattern pieces
are some of my great buys. I bought perfume once and felt it may have had "water" added. Every once in a while I feel ripped-off, but for the most part, I love ebay.

mom60

What is amazing is how ebay has expanded the available goods.
In our case with the saddle it exposed us to items available all over the country. Before you would have been limited to searching boards at shows and feed stores. They aren't the sort of thing you find listed in the newspaper. It also made it possible for my D to buy the exact saddle she wanted for a great price versus having to settle for what we could find locally and having to pay the higher price our local area demands. or having to buy a new one which she never could have afforded.

The Mom

Sold my guys collection of Legos a few years ago. Was surprised at some of the bidding wars for certain Lego sets. Can't say I made money as compared to what I spent over the years, but certainly increased the closet space in one bedroom. (Kept boxes and all instructions so Legos took up lots of space.)

Buy ipod accessories and occasional discontinued toys and games. It is fun to browse. S needs additional saxophone for college, but not sure I am ready to purchase something that expensive on ebay yet.