buying rods/reels on ebay?

[rippin_lips]

How many of you buy rods and reels on ebay.  After looking on Cabelas, BPS and TW, I decided to check ebay out.  The reels are significantly cheaper, supposedly new in box and the sellers have good ratings.  Has anyone ever had a problem getting stuff on ebay, or is it a good way to save money?  Thanks.

[retiredbosn]

I have bought and sold several things on ebay. I recently purchased two LC Live Pointers for 19 bucks, last year I got an Accurist PT for 50 nib, I've sold everything from records, motorcycles, and vehicles. I've also purchased two vehicles on Ebay, if you are careful it is a good way to get products cheap. Always ask questions, make sure if it is a reel that it is truly new not a refurbished second quality, or blemished in anyway. Ask for reciepts so you can register for warranties, etc. I know that right now on ebay there are shimano Cardiffs for 77 bucks including shipping, Revo Winches for 139, Tour PTs for 129 including shipping  all of these are nib and registerable for warranty, on and on. If you use common sense and talk to the seller you can get great deals.

[BARON49_Northern NY]

I you are going to buy off Ebay I might suggest you set up a Pay Pal account or a credit card/debit card that is NOT attached to your regular checking or savings account.  

[ChiCityBasser]

I've made some purchases through ebay as well and gotten some deals. I purchases a Quantum Incyte that needed repair and the seller did state that but the reel as $50 cheaper than new and got it and took it to the repair shop and Quantum replaced it for free - (shipping) with a brand new Incyte. Got my Quantum Catalyst off ebay as well and a Daiwa Regal 5iA at bargain prices also. I also got a Cabelas Mag Touch for $65 including shipping. The guy that purchased it didn't like the feel of the rod and the reel is almost brand new.

Like retired said ask questions of the seller and make sure its as advertised when u ask your questions and you can get some pretty good deals.

[retiredbosn]

I think Ebay is going to Pay Pal only type transactions.  If you pay using paypal (online bank, very safe) your transaction is insured against fraud, etc.  Your money is safe, transferred electronically without the seller knowing anything about your finances.  I would never pay with a check, (nothing like giving your banking info to a stranger) or credit card, use paypal or a postal money order.  

[Captain Chaos II]

There are definitely some bargains.  Check out the buyer ratings and the shipping costs.  Be weary of people with low number of ratings/transactions .....  

I've got a reel and 2 rods off ebay.  2 of them were smooth transactions and good deals.  I did have one bad experience where the guy put the rod in a PVC pipe without any insulation.  Came over with 2 bent guides so I had to deal with US Postal on the insurance which was a pain in da butt.

So ask questions and also ask how they are planning on shipping.  For rods, ideally they should ship with PVC and insulation.

[MSPbass]

Has anyone ever had a problem

Read the descriptions very, very carefully. Don't skip the fine print. I thought I was getting a great deal on a Pflueger President once. The guy had pictures of the Pres, stats from the Pflueger web site, everything said he was selling a President; except for one tiny sentence in the fine print at the bottom that read "model is purist".

I was ticked and did get my money back, but be forewarned. And be wary of blurry photos.

[J Francho]

No problems here, bought several reels off ebay.  All transactions went smoothly.  Never had the stones to buy a rod, seems like a lot could go wrong between there and my front step.

[retiredbosn]

Has anyone ever had a problem

Read the descriptions very, very carefully. Don't skip the fine print. I thought I was getting a great deal on a Pflueger President once. The guy had pictures of the Pres, stats from the Pflueger web site, everything said he was selling a President; except for one tiny sentence in the fine print at the bottom that read "model is purist".

I was ticked and did get my money back, but be forewarned. And be wary of blurry photos.

I hope you reported that guy to Ebay.  The will ban people from selling and trying to cheat people.  Things like that just shouldn't happen.  The best deal I got on Ebay was a Suburban for half of wholesale.  The best deal I ever made was selling a 66 uncut Bronco, paid 900 sold it for 4200, I was unemployed at the time and the money came in handy.  

[jimmieO]

I've bought 2 reels on ebay. The first was used, but I couldn't tell it when I got it. Its a $50 reel that I wouldn't have normally bought, but it was only $15, and it has turned out to be a great reel. I've got a Daiwa Exceler sitting in my mailbox right now that I bought the other day for $36. Basically half price.

1. USE PAYPAL

2. Absolutely read the fine print. I have seen a lot of rods in which the description says "New," but then the print says......tip replaced. Just use your good sense

[rippin_lips]

Thanks for all the info.  I found a seller with thousands of feedbacks, 99.8% positive.  Emailed him and made sure it was brand new, etc.  I'll have to look for more deals on ebay in the future, I saved $40, hopefully everything arrives as described.

[J Francho]

I actually look for sellers with lower sales numbers, like 50-150.  To me, that is just a dude trying to move some unused gear, rather than an ebay baron.  That doesn't mean that seller is scammer.

[Cravin]

I bought half of my families Christmas on Ebay which included my Curado E, No Problems if you learn how to check your seller and have PayPal backing you.

[djmax22]

I recently bought a Loomis  GLX Flippin Stick off ebay. I ended up saving around $200 of the MSRP. It was the 4th rod I bought off ebay in the last year. Ebay has literally saved me thousands over the years.

I did get cheated 1 time. I bought a shimano MG at a price too good to be true and never received the reel. Paypal did reimburse me since I didnt receive the reel.

[rfrazier]

I sell a lot on ebay, as well as buy, and have had a good run. Like other people said, make sure to read the descriptions, and ask the seller any question you have. Don't be scared off by high shipping prices. Usually it just means the auction will end at a lower price, (not overall), and more money will go to the seller and not ebay, as ebay does not get a cut of the shipping price. If you find items ending at awkward times, they often sell for much less, as well as items with spelling errors in the title.  

[KYntucky Warmouth]

I have had many experiences on ebay and none have been bad as of yet.  You just have to read carefully.  Personally I only use paypal...never western union, especially overseas...I have had friends that have been burned this way.  Always check ratings and read feedback to familiarize the workings of the seller.  I also usually deal with stores but occasionally will bid from private sellers.

This is what I acquired during dec. all items were new...reels with boxes, papers, tools/oils, and registration cards...rods still with factory plastic, tags, and warranties

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1230612436/0

[bigbass49]

I have four reels that I have bought from ebay with no problems just make sure you read the product description and check the sellers ratings and comments

[Stingray23]

I get about 90% of my stuff off of Ebay. Its a sickness. I cant stop. I have stuff coming in on a daily basis.

[jack1]

ebay is great!

In fact, I'm expecting my four new Curado's by tomorrow! $144 each + free shipping.

[SirSnookalot]

Purchased 7 or 8 reels on ebay, all transactions went perfect.  1 shipper was slow to ship, but he mentioned that upfont in the ad so I had no reason to be mad.

I would not buy a rod from ebay or any on line company.  I want to put my reel on the exact rod that I want to buy and I also want an over the counter warranty.  Not saying a rod transaction will go bad, but I prefer to make sure it doesn't happen.

[cart7t]

... If you find items ending at awkward times, they often sell for much less, as well as items with spelling errors in the title.

shhhhhh  

[Gone_Phishin]

I you are going to buy off Ebay I might suggest you set up a Pay Pal account or a credit card/debit card that is NOT attached to your regular checking or savings account.

I've always wondered about the pro's and con's to that.

Like most have said, I too have bought several rods and reels and have been very happy with what I've ended up paying.  A few years back I purchased a few Loomis muskie rods for approx $100 a pop.  Last fall I won a NIB Fuego caster for $108.  The deals are there to be had.  Like RayRe said, auctions ending at goofy times usually yield savings to the buyer.

A little off topic, but for the life of me I can't believe what people are consistently paying for Lucky Craft baits on ebay.  Most are paying full price, some even more.  

[Pantera61]

I you are going to buy off Ebay I might suggest you set up a Pay Pal account or a credit card/debit card that is NOT attached to your regular checking or savings account.

I've always wondered about the pro's and con's to that.

Like most have said, I too have bought several rods and reels and have been very happy with what I've ended up paying. A few years back I purchased a few Loomis muskie rods for approx $100 a pop. Last fall I won a NIB Fuego caster for $108. The deals are there to be had. Like RayRe said, auctions ending at goofy times usually yield savings to the buyer.

A little off topic, but for the life of me I can't believe what people are consistently paying for Lucky Craft baits on ebay. Most are paying full price, some even more.

1.  I have a separate bank account for ebay and other PAYPAL purchases for totals under $50.00.  Anything over $50.00 is being paid for by credit card through paypal.

2.  ebay does have some good deals, if you are educated.  Rods, reels, lures.  As a seller, I attempt to surpass what I would expect as a buyer.

off topic response ... some colors are more difficult find so some people will pay a premium for them.

[fishintroop]

I can't say anything that hasn't already been said.  I have had good luck and got great deals on three NIB reels.  I also have made several rod purchases and they went smooth as silk.

[Matt 825]

I am an ebay junkie. Always searching for deals on there. I shy away from buying rods unless it is a steal, but I buy a lot of reels on there. Last week I got a brand new Curado D for $130 shipped, not a super deal but the type of deal you can find eveyrday on ebay. Unfortunatley it did not satisfy the bait monkey!!