How much do you trust ordering from eBay?

[Tweek1106]

Getting ready to make a reel purchase and every retail site has a Tatula CT listed at $129.99 while they're available on eBay for $99.99.

 

My question is how do you know you're getting a Tatula CT or just some knockoff? Would hate to get my new reel only to find out it's a knockoff "Fatula" or some reel that's been refurbished 8 times.

 

The seller is considered "top rated" and add says that the reels are "new" but wanted to get the general opinion here on purchasing from that site.

[burrows]

Everyone buys off eBay but I haven’t been able to go that route I have zero trust in eBay and since knowing someone that works at the amazon warehouse from the things they’ve told me ,I don’t trust amazon either. But lately I’ve been trolling threw eBay because of the ridiculous deals. Maybe I’ll eventually order from them?

[BobLoblaw]

I buy on Ebay all the time. When I'm buying new reels, I stick to the dealers who sell a lot of volume and have very high seller ratings.  Never had an issue doing it this way in 10 years.  The link below shows what I'm talking about.  

Ebay Dealer Selling a Daiwa Tatula CT LH  This dealer has over 3600 transactions with a 99.99% positive feedback average. I would feel as comfortable buying from him as I would from Tackle Warehouse.  

 

 

Edited March 5, 2018 by BobLoblaw
Reading comprehension

[Fishin Dad]

If you check, you can see some are legitimate retailers as well and may even gave a store front too.   I am not going to name any, but look at seller name and check.   I Have had great luck and so have my buddies.   

[Bent]

29 minutes ago, BobLoblaw said:

I buy on Ebay all the time. When I'm buying new reels, I stick to the dealers who sell a lot of volume and have very high seller ratings.  Never had an issue doing it this way in 10 years.  The link below shows what I'm talking about.  

Ebay Dealer Selling a Daiwa Tatula CT LH  This dealer has over 3600 transactions with a 99.99% positive feedback average. I would feel as comfortable buying from him as I would from Tackle Warehouse.  

 

 

This ^^^ if you can find a seller with thousands of successful transactions, buy with confidence.  Also, welcome to BR @BobLoblaw - I'm glad you can take a break from lobbing law bombs to discuss bass fishing with the rest of us junkies.

[Dangerfield]

Just bought a daiwa tatula CT off ebay last week arriving by Friday  and I'm from Canada. Do as others have suggested look for high transaction rates, positive feedback in the last 3 months and know what you're buying. Also, use PayPal. 

 

Departure Outdoors is my favourite lure store and I just bought my reel from Simmons Sporting Goods. 

 

 

[Boomstick]

I have a 100% track record with ebay. When checking a seller, I will check they have a decent volume of prior sales. If they have a lower amount of sales, say a few thousand or less, then I will only buy from those with a 100% rating (or if I read the negative review the person said took over a week to arrive or wrote a positive description and it appears like they gave them an accidental negative -- which happens).

 

If they are a power seller, they will have negative reviews too, so I'll read them. Usually people complain about slow shipping, which I can live with but look out for things like "advertised as new but clearly used" or "received a Chinese knock off instead of the advertised product."

 

But most importantly, only buy from North American sellers. If it ships from China or Hong Kong it is almost certainly a fake, if they send you anything at all.

 

If not all of the above is true, walk away no matter how good the deal seems. A brand new NRX rod for $100 shipped is $100 that some scammer is pocketing while sending you an Ugly Stik with "G Loomis" and "NRX" spray painted on it, and $100 you'd rather have back.

 

As far as fishing gear, I have purchased from the sellers below without issue and would again.

https://www.ebay.com/usr/sportsmansoutfitters?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2754

https://www.ebay.com/usr/triacetackle2016?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2754

https://www.ebay.com/usr/departureoutdoors?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2754

 

[Tweek1106]

Thanks guys, much appreciated.

 

 

8 minutes ago, Boomstick said:

I have a 100% track record with ebay. When checking a seller, I will check they have a decent volume of prior sales. If they have a lower amount of sales, say a few thousand or less, then I will only buy from those with a 100% rating (or if I read the negative review the person said took over a week to arrive or wrote a positive description and it appears like they gave them an accidental negative -- which happens).

 

If they are a power seller, they will have negative reviews too, so I'll read them. Usually people complain about slow shipping, which I can live with but look out for things like "advertised as new but clearly used" or "received a Chinese knock off instead of the advertised product."

 

But most importantly, only buy from North American sellers. If it ships from China or Hong Kong it is almost certainly a fake, if they send you anything at all.

 

If not all of the above is true, walk away no matter how good the deal seems. A brand new NRX rod for $100 shipped is $100 that some scammer is pocketing while sending you an Ugly Stik with "G Loomis" and "NRX" spray painted on it, and $100 you'd rather have back.

 

As far as fishing gear, I have purchased from the sellers below without issue and would again.

https://www.ebay.com/usr/sportsmansoutfitters?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2754

https://www.ebay.com/usr/triacetackle2016?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2754

https://www.ebay.com/usr/departureoutdoors?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2754

 

Boomstick how would you check to see if a reel is a cheap knockoff?  Are there specifics to look for or is it pretty self evident when you see them?

[ChrisD46]

Honestly , I have had zero poor experiences with fishing tackle (or anything else) - as a matter of fact , I believe there is more on the line to do customers right due to that glaring seller rating in plain view which in my experience makes these sellers work VERY hard to gain your loyalty and satisfaction !

[Backroad Angler]

Honestly I really only feel safe buying a new anything online  fishing such as a reel/rod from tackle warehouse or the dealers themselve.

[Boomstick]

9 minutes ago, Tweek1106 said:

Thanks guys, much appreciated.

 

 

Boomstick how would you check to see if a reel is a cheap knockoff?  Are there specifics to look for or is it pretty self evident when you see them?

I haven't actually came across fake reels yet but I always limit my searches to within the US or North America as well.

 

I'm honestly not 100% sure if the fishing market is saturated with fakes, but I also play guitar and people will post a fake Gibson Les Paul that would sell for say $2200 normally and sell it for $1800. In the past, you couldn't miss the fact it's fake, but the fakes are becoming more and more convincing looking, especially in pictures. A lot of these are sold straight from Asia and some inside the US, but reputable sellers generally won't even sell them or will sell them at a fake price for their real value (like $200 if that)

[The Bassman]

I use E-Bay all the time.  Between Pay Pal and E-Bay you are at no risk.

[desmobob]

8 minutes ago, The Bassman said:

I use E-Bay all the time.  Between Pay Pal and E-Bay you are at no risk.

I've probably bought more than half my reels from eBay sellers...  reputable sellers with lots of sales and impeccable feedback.

 

Tight lines,

Bob

[The Fisher]

1 hour ago, BobLoblaw said:

I buy on Ebay all the time. When I'm buying new reels, I stick to the dealers who sell a lot of volume and have very high seller ratings.  Never had an issue doing it this way in 10 years.  The link below shows what I'm talking about.  

Ebay Dealer Selling a Daiwa Tatula CT LH  This dealer has over 3600 transactions with a 99.99% positive feedback average. I would feel as comfortable buying from him as I would from Tackle Warehouse.  

 

 

This ^^^ I just bought 2 Tatula LT spinning reels and a Tatula Elite spinning rod with no problems. I’ve bought about 10 reels over the years with no problems. I’ve never bought used, these are all new products.

[Bankbeater]

I don't buy rods or reels online. I like to feel them in my hands before I buy them.

[Spy]

Ebay has become a go to for some small brick and mortar stores, allowing them to sell higher volume and thus reap the rewards of buying in volume as well! No sales force is needed and the only time the seller has to handle anything is answering questions (easily done over a cup of coffee) and the actual shipping of the item which with boxing would be the equivalent in time of helping a customer with an in-store sale. 

 

Far from hurting their profit margin it instead helps as the increased revenue allows for lower prices at their retail store and thus allow them remain competitive with the big boys like Dicks. Frankly, this is a fine model for just about any sporting goods/tackle shop to use in an age where onsite retail is suffering and benefits both customer and seller alike.

 

 

[burrows]

Told you everyone buys off eBay

[fishwizzard]

 Also, PayPal's arbitration process is very heavily weighted in favor of the buyer, so it's pretty easy to get your money back if you are patient.   I had a friend who made a pretty good amount of money selling sports memorabilia on eBay but eventually he got sick of being scammed by buyers without any recourse so he gave it up. 

 

 

[MassYak85]

I buy 95% of my fishing gear online. Most of the deals I have gotten on rods and reels have been from Ebay. Just check the seller rating and reviews. I don't buy used stuff though. 

[burrows]

Are there any particular sellers that are well trusted they have names right? What about sellers from China kinda worried about them they are far away? I was looking at a chronarch mgl for 200 seems to good?

[PatrickKnight]

After a terrible experience I had several years ago I just avoid Ebay for anything.

[LionHeart]

I used to be paranoid about EBay, but have really come around.  I have ordered 3 reels from Sportsman Outfitters via EBay and had a great experience every time. They almost always have the best prices.

[new2BC4bass]

19 minutes ago, PatrickKnight said:

After a terrible experience I had several years ago I just avoid Ebay for anything.

Crap happens, but I wouldn't let one bad experience stop you from taking advantage of ebay.  Some mighty fine deals can be had.....like the Tatula Type R link above.  With that line of thinking a person receiving a Shimao that didn't work properly would never buy another one, but we all know they are a quality product.

 

13 hours ago, Bankbeater said:

I don't buy rods or reels online. I like to feel them in my hands before I buy them.

That is the best way.....if you can find the rod or reel within driving range.  The vast majority of my gear was purchased sight unseen.  Was disappointed only twice.  That doesn't count the 3 one-piece rods I had arrive in more than one piece, but I still order rods Online.

[NYWayfarer]

I order line from Ebay, the seller in this case is the manufacturer so it is the reel line and at a great discount. I have ordered some reels as well.

 

I agree with others and stick with sellers with good ratings. Even then beware the words "brand new" are subject to interpretation. A floor model is technically brand new but has been handled. I bought a reel that has a retail price of $99.99 for $75 and it had some cosmetic scuffs. The matte paint job of this particular reel didn't help matters. In the end it wasn't enough to warrant a return as the reel performs well in all other areas.

 

14 hours ago, Bankbeater said:

I don't buy rods or reels online. I like to feel them in my hands before I buy them.

Do like the rest of the free world now days. Go to the brick and mortar handle all the reels you want. Find one you like and go home and order it online way cheaper.

 

Or find a store with a price match guarantee and get the brick and mortar to meet that price.

[68camaro]

On any online site you are "buying the seller", make sure you fully trust seller......