JoeChiOhki wrote: Since shipping charges do not get charged Ebay Fees on them, most sellers will sell the item for low to cut down how much Ebay gets out of the sale and then recovers it in the shipping price (On percentage fee based items).
Ebay started charging their fees on shipping too some time in 2010 or 2011. The trick of charging very little for the item and then jacking up the shipping charges no longer works.
Ebay has an option when listing items to list them in order of the price + the shipping. You can see who is offering the best price on the item plus shipping that way.
Just shows how long it's been since I used ebay for selling anything .
Follow me as I full-time the Redneck Way at The Journey of the Redneck Express CBChannel 17Redneck Express '1992Dodge W-250 "Dually" Power Wagon - Club Cab Long Bed 4x4 V8 5.9L gashog w/4.10 Geared axles '1974KIT Kamper 1106 - 11' Slide-in
In most cases, I have found internet companies to be lower cost that the same items on ebay. Many times the shipping costs on ebay are far too expensive. I always spend some time thoroughly checking internet prices before ever buying from ebay. You still must shop in order to get the best deal.
Recently I was in the market for shocks for my trailer. I found the same Monroe part number at a local stores on-line site as well as on e-bay and two on-line truck parts stores. While I do try to buy locally, I will not if the price is too far out of line.
My results:
Shocks Shipping Sales Tax Total for 4
Local store 47 ? 8.6% 204.17
e-bay 45 10 + 3*5 x 205.00
online store #1 26 235 x 339.00
online store #2 31 inc x 124.00
I think my choice was obvious. I would have bought local, except that they would have to order them in as a special order and I would pay the shipping whatever it was when they got here.
Dave
Dave and Colleen
Colleen's Beach House
1991 Dutchman TT 24FK
2002 GMC Safari AWD
Ebay is just another shopping site for the most part these days. I always compare prices between Ebay and other sources to be sure I am getting the best deal.
I do find deals from time to time on brand new tools and such from tool distributors getting rid of old stock. I bought a new Allen 3/4" extension recently for a good 25% less on Ebay than anywhere else.
You could build a 'J-Pole' out of copper water pipe...
Here's mine:
The antenna on the left is my HF antenna the 2 Meter antenna is a two element co-linear with a 'J' feed...
The feed assembly, showing the 4:1 'Trombone' BalUn.
The 180° phasing network between the two elements.
Gain:
3.3 dBd
or
5.4 dBi
or
6.3 dBq
1.25:1 VSWR Bandwidth = 6.5 MHz.
Cost to build = ~$15.00
Overall height = 10 feet.
Paul
Extra Class Ham Radio operator - K9ERG (since 1956)
Retired Electronics Engineer and Antenna Designer
Was a campground host at IBSP (2006-2010) - now retired.
Single - Full-timer
2005 Four Winds 29Q
1982 6.2L Diesel Suburban 1500
"You could build a 'J-Pole' out of copper water pipe..."
Yes, I know. But, why bother? I already have a very nice home-built coaxial J-pole (as featured in QST magazine a few months ago) that I built.
The Arrow antenna covers 2 meter/70CM. That's why I was looking at it.
CM1, USN (RET)
2002 Fleetwood Southwind 32V, Ford V10
Toad: 2006 Jeep Rubicon LJ
Other toad: '06 PT Cruiser, Kar Kaddy dolly
Toy: 1977 Dodge W100 CC SWB, 3/4 ton axles & springs
"When seconds count, help is only minutes away!"
I have yet to buy anything from ebay, or even have a paypal account for that matter...more likely never will.
Whenever I browse for some item I am looking for on ebay, or any other website...I contact the seller directly providing they have contact info (which most every seller has), and I will speak to a person and obtain what info I can when potentially buying from a first time seller or business online (and attempt to weigh in upon getting the best overall deal as others mentioned).
A few times I contacted a seller by phone inquiring a ebay advertised item and asked what is the best deal you can give me to ship it to Alaska WITHOUT going thru ebay channels, and can you also deliver it to my PO Box address via post office rather than 2nd day air, as most of them will cater to that.
I will only shop online with a secure website (https), or I can mail in a money order.
1970 Ford F250 2WD Sport Custom (Owned April 1996) 390 V8 (23K Rebuilt Mi) C6 Trans (207K Original Mi)
2000 Fleetwood Angler 8ft Cabover
Air Lift 1000(Front)
Air Lift Loadlifter 5000(rear)
Hellwig Front and Rear Sway Bars
Goodyear G171 LT Series(siped)
Offline
.
