Ebay

[Bigmac79]

Has anyone had any experience with buying refurbished baitcaster reels on ebay?

[Stephen B]

I wouldn't recommend them unless they were refurbished from the manufacturer. 

[papajoe222]

Welcome to BR

I have purchased used reels off ebay, but non that stated they were refurbished. If you're still undecided, check out the seller's return policy. Those that allow returns are, likely, more trustworthy than those that sell an item 'as is' and don't offer returns.  Ebay does offer buyer protection, but the process can be lengthy and the seller also has protection against false claims.

[tander]

Bought a couple from Lews, worked as good as new.

[Bluebasser86]

14 hours ago, Stephen B said:

I wouldn't recommend them unless they were refurbished from the manufacturer. 

This is what I'd suggest. I've bought plenty of refurbished reels, but only straight from the manufacturer. 

[fishballer06]

I very rarely buy used reels. However, regardless of where I buy one from, I always immediately send it out to a professional to be looked over and gone through. I personally recommend Delaware Valley Tackle. @Delaware Valley Tackle

[burrows]

I had a bad experience with ebay. I got my money back but wasn’t worth it for me just to save 30 bucks.

 Will I ever buy from eBay again? Likely.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I get a lot of second hand reels shipped from the seller to me, then on to the new owner. The likelihood of a problem depends on who did the refurbishing and the seller. eBay and PayPal offer lots of protection for buyers. 

[The Bassman]

I've bought a few used reels on the Bay and have had no real problems.  A couple were really neglected but easy to get back to like new.  I try to buy only ones that have several photo angles.

[Tennessee Boy]

I have bought a few used reels and many used rods on ebay.  Never really had a bad experience.  A few times the condition of a reel was not as good as I expected but nothing I would consider fraudulent.  If a seller does not have at least a 99% rating,  I don't buy from them.

[BobP]

I’ve bought quite a few used reels on EBay but only from sellers with at least a 98% satisfaction rating and a good description and photo of the reel.  The very first thing I do is disassemble the reel, clean and lube it and order any required parts.  Some sellers are guys who buy reels new, use them without any maintenance until they no longer work well, then sell them.  That’s ok if you know how to service a reel and are willing to take the time to do it, or send it immediately to a reel tech like DVT for service.  Otherwise it’s a crap shoot.  “Refurbished” can mean many different things unless done by a factory service center or a pro reel tech that you trust.  That said, all of the reels I’ve bought only required a thorough cleaning and lube, and an occasional spool bearing to bring them back to like new operation.

[Andy007]

I purchased a refurbished Lew's and looked and preformed like new.

Also bought several used reels off EBay, but expect them to need a good cleaning and maybe a new pawl. After that they function as they should, deals can be had but you have to include cleaning and possible parts when buying used. And like stated before watch the seller's reputation.

 

 

[LxVE Bassin]

PayPal offers a lot of protection for buyers on eBay so no need to worry. I buy new reels off eBay and have not had any problems. Get refurbished reels from the manufacturer or a trusted reel mechanic.

[CrankFate]

You never know what you’ll get on eBay. The most important thing about eBay is you’re crazy if you think that the $2.00 bearings or $1.00 fish hooks they sell there will be as good as the real brands like VMC or Boca and you’re crazy if you think those $10.00 Bocas are authentic.

 

Rods and reels? Most sellers are legit. But a lot of the goods are factory seconds, display models or used passed off as “new.”  There’s nothing wrong with used reels. I have some great ones. But you never know if the factory bearings were replaced with the $2.00 mystery metal bearings they sell on eBay.

 

If you want to be sure you’re getting the real thing and it’s really new, go with a reputable store. I’d never order a fish hook or bearing on eBay.

 

And I’d go used before refurbished. It’s usually a better price when someone just wants to get rid of it.

[fishwizzard]

I have bought a lot of used reels from ebay and have never had an issue. Most of them have been from japanese sellers and are usually mechanicaly exelent even if they are cosmeticly pretty rough.