[daniella]

Sorry if this is not in the right area you can feel free to move it. I have never used ebay but I found a pair of new shoes that I have been looking for on regular sites but they have been discontinued. Anyhow on ebay there are a new pair from a seller who seems to have a lot of items and says it can be returned in 14 days. It has the tags too. Is this safe to do if I set up a paypal to pay? I assume the seller gets your address? Also that you take the word they are new and if dont work out you can return it? Thanks for any feedback or personal experience

[Jomar]

I've been using ebay for the last few years, with paypal.

you can find more details on many topics here-
http://pages.ebay.com/help/index/A.html

buying basics-
http://pages.ebay.com/help/buy/basics.html

I've bought shoes, greenhouse , lots of old car parts, baby stuff...

Just price check, and ask questions if you aren't sure about an item.
I always set my searches for USA only, and often top rated sellers & returns accepted.

you usually will have to pay the shipping when doing a return, but I've never had any issues with getting the money I paid for an item refunded.

[Koala77]

I agree with Jo*Mar daniella.

I too have bought things using Paypal and never had any problems.

[daniella]

Thank you so much for your help and the links. The seller is top rated so I think I am going to order them and use paypal. I'm not that into online shopping but have such a hard time finding shoes.
Thanks again

[Koala77]

Good luck. I hope they are exactly what you need.

[mrsD]

I also use Ebay. I have PayPal too, but not linked to my bank
account. I won't link to my money, because who knows if Ebay will ever be hacked!

I have received some spam Ebay mail at one time, but that stopped. I don't know which seller may have been involved.

Other than that, I have had pleasant experiences, and still use it.
Ebay is very very strict now with its sellers compared to in the recent past. And they move quickly on complaints. They have a discussion forum too.

I'd caution about shoes though...if you do get them, check out the interior and dust them with an antifungal powder like Zeasorb AF to kill any fungus that may be in them.

I do NOT buy from sellers who put unreasonable shipping charges on the items. This signals dishonesty IMO. So if something is very very cheap and has $18.00 shipping and is not a heavy item or glass, pass it by.

I have some very unusual items from Ebay, that I am happy with. If you are home alot, just looking around can be entertaining. Sometimes I find exact things on Amazon.com or other sites for less money. There are outlet shoe sources you might search on, as well.

[Icehouse]

Paypal is safe, I push $40K a year through them, eBay on the other hand is still a gamble....but buying (especially low-cost items) is still fairly safe, its selling where I get too many false and non-paying bidders...check the feedback and if they have 95% positive and up you are good, just stay clear of anyone with multiple negative or LOW feedback. Its a judgement call really.

If you pay by Paypal the seller will get your address....

[Wren]

I've been using ebay and Paypal since before 2000 and I have never had a problem until my most recent purchase.
I love ebay.

Daniella - when you buy an item you probably have to pay shipping charges. Remember that it will cost you more shipping if you have to return it. Best wishes.

[Jomar]

I use a credit card with PayPal, not my bank account.

I usually use our PO Box for most shipments and only give street address if required for shipping.

I believe the local post office would let us use their street address and hold it for us to pick up. That might be something to check on if you are leery of giving out your home address.

[daniella]

Hi again. I would use paypal if I order them but Mrs D your thoughts about the fungus makes me nervous because I am so sensitive and already have major foot problems. I wish I could find these shoes at a regular site store but they are discontinued model.
The item I was going to get had free shipping and handling but I know if I returned it I would have to pay the shipping back.
This is sort of off topic but when Mrs D brought up about how ebay is fun to browse I like to do that on etsy though I have never ordered off of it some people are so talented with what they make.
Well thanks again everyone