[SallyC]

I don't know about the rest of you, but there are places I dread to shop. DGD(14) has sent me a list from Ebay and I'm having an anxiety attack... First of all, they don't have sizes or colors to choose and by the time you decide to buy it, it's SOLD-gone.

I told DGD that I refuse to shop and buy Christmas presents there. One special item maybe, but not a list. She is insisting, I am insisting...I win!!!! Bahhhh humbug!!

Especially online, I like to shop in regular secure stores with return policies.

What do you think? Am I being an old nervous, set in my ways fart or are ya with me?

[Kitty]

I've never had a problem with ebay.....but I don't bid. I just do the "buy it now" thing.

[aussiemom]

I'm pretty much with you. For some things, on line is ok. If its a secure site. For other things, I want to see, touch, hold up for size and quality check. A certain size can vary wildly from store to store.

I'm dreading the holidays this year. I'm not even doing the tree. Everybody just might get gift cards. At least I know it will fit!

[mrsD]

I rarely buy clothes on Ebay. I'll get something I know the sizes of... like the tank tops by Jockey for Women. Hard to find in stores now.

Ebay in general.... bidding takes a while to master, and then really often there are shills, raising the price etc so new Ebayers get jacked up to pay more. Most of the things I find on Ebay today are "buy it now" types. Some of the things I go for are unusual or handmade and unique. I won't buy electronics, or phones etc. But I might buy a case for them if it is a good deal.
But many times I can find the identical thing on Amazon now for much less than Ebay. So I do Amazon mostly now.

It took me over a month to learn bidding...and it was not pleasant, I have to say!

[Blessings2You]

A 14-year-old is "insisting" on a source for her "list"? Oooooooh. No.

I've "shopped" ebay for years. My son-in-law loves boxing (go figure) and one year I got him a set of 12 boxing magazines from the year he was born, 1968. It took a while to find it, but I started early. I generally stick with sellers that have 100% positive feedback, and many transactions. I also do buy-it-now unless it's something really special.

Ebay wouldn't be my first choice for Christmas shopping, though.

[Jomar]

I usually buy clothes on Amazon or other 'known" online stores, or stores that are local also, so I can return things without having to pay return shipping fees.

We do get many rare car parts for our projects on ebay and that works well for us. But if something isn't right, then we do have to pay shipping to return it for the refund.

Is there some special store/items she likes that is only on ebay??

But generally , I don't like being told where or what to buy when it comes to Christmas & gifts...

[Erin524]

The only time I ever use eBay is when I'm looking for something specific that I cant find somewhere else. Like when I wanted to replace the milk glass fruit bowl that my parents got as a wedding present after the original broke. (milk glass is a glass that's white. Same color as milk)

or when I needed a cover for my Kobo e-reader and I couldnt find any that I liked on Amazon or at Borders (when they were still in business)

When I online shop, it's almost always Amazon. I have an Amazon Prime membership, so I get free 2-day shipping on certain things. I've also bought stuff on Walmart.com.

For Xmas shopping, I buy from QVC and HSN. Not always the greatest quality, but the prices arent too bad, and it's usually stocking stuffers that I'm buying from those places. There are certain things I wouldnt buy from those places. Computers, e-readers being sold in a special package with accessories. (think it's cheaper to buy directly from the manufacturers if it's something like an iPad/computer or an e-reader. The accessories are usually junk and overpriced)

[ewizabeth]

I've had good and bad experiences with Ebay. I just had to open a dispute for an item that was not as described. It can be a hassle. If you don't mind haggling with sometimes odd sellers, it is ok. I don't shop there unless I have to, for something that is easy to judge for quality and only with highly rated sellers.

I bought my first iPhone there because employees were not allowed to order them from Verizon on our accounts, but I did a lot of research first. You can usually get just as good deals on Amazon or Best Buy or Kohls, etc...

[doydie]

That's OK Sally, I'm still afraid of E-Bay. haven't bought a thing there. i have no idea how to sign up for pay pall and not sure if I want to. I haven't gone to Amazon either but my kids do. I like to go shopping, without my husband, so I just buy here in town. I have bought online when they offer free shipping. Also my MIL likes Blairs

[Kitt]

We buy on EBay from reputable sellers. You have to do your research and know what you are buying and ask questions. Ask any and all questions you have before bidding or buying. Read everything on the auction site. Know if you have to pay for shipping if you want to return the item. Just read and read and ask plenty of questions.

I used to sell on there and it was good and bad but mostly good. In the past years they really have changed their rules, etc. I would not be selling now and when I did sell it was all as advertised and good stuff. But, no selling anymore on there.

Best advice is to do your homework. There are plenty of reputable sellers out there.