[Closed] Curious...Who uses eBay to buy their models? While out of a couple of thousand transactions

eBaymaniac here!

I have purchased thousands of cars on eBay from the US as well as around the world. I have dealt with some sellers since 2000 when I first joined eBay and signed up with PayPal. I have had some very very rewarding experiences. I have also had some jerks that tried the bait and switch. This is when you sick the eBay patrol on them! Paypal has a guarantee also, if you get ripped they pay you back. They have taken very good care of me.

I too have purchased a decent number of my models from eBay.

I have only had a few bad experiences over the years and they have always been handled by PayPal or eBay. While I prefer to buy from some selected vendors I have dealt with repeatedly, I will try others from time to time. The only ones I avoid are usually associated with the Russian Federation, the transactions from there have had a larger % of problems.

Randall, like you I've noticed very few of the CON/MAD/WES/SW/MMQ models from the mid-nineties thru around 2010 on ebay. If like for myself, I'm guessing that many hold onto what they bought because they like them. As for me, I've decided to thin out my collection, but at a slow pace. I'm hoping that the lack of those models you mentioned might help me sell a few at Countryside next month.

Since entering the hobby in 1999, I've bought around 250 models (60% of my collection) on ebay, most in 1:43, from all types of sellers. Everything from Solido through Motor City. I've had about a half dozen problematic purchases. All but one were satisfactorily resolved.

Right now I'm waiting for three models. One from Legacy, a long-awaited

Pierce Arrow, and two from a dealer in Germany that I reached through eBay. I'm also watching another "oldie" on eBay for possible bidding as it draws closer to an end. I have a favorite Brooklin dealer, a reliable general dealer, Legacy for some unusual offerings, and yet I probably look on eBay more than the others. Since I also like to build the older 1:43 scale models, eBay is about my only source. I have two under construction right now, and recently gave up on a third. Fun!

PS- It was on eBay that I bumped into the Dark Horse'49 Oldsmobiles. I think that dealer sold several through our discussion and pictures here on the forum. I've never seen them offered anywhere else.

I think you're right, Frank.

Particularly since Buz took over much of the white metal production. His quality is very high and production numbers are usually quite low. Most collectors hold on to them.

I'll be bringing some models to Chicago as well.

For me.....

I first offer the white metals here on Legacy. If they do not sell here, I move them to eBay auctions first, then into the buy it now option if they do not sell at auction there.
And you're right about the rarer pieces being rather sparse lately. I have no idea as to the reason for this.
As I move from box to box finding my next offerings, I do know that I have a few Conquest/Madison, Mini Marque, Motor City (USA) and a few others that will be offered, in the stated format above.

Well being the buyaholic that I am..... I do buy a lot from eBay mainly because what I am generally looking for can't be found on line or thru the various dealers. That being said I do have a few favorite dealers that I frequent their web sites and buy from them also. Needless to say this is all in 1:43. I use our auction board to sell my 1:24 cars as I'm slowly but surely getting away from that scale. If they don't sell they go back into storage until a later date

I get mine from a similar variety of sources Randall, plus three.

Actual auction houses, like Vectis and Ralston, are good for holy grail classic diecast toys. But every now and then a choice white metal or somewhat recent diecast bargain shows up, such as:
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Amazon. Sometimes I've searched there much like ebay. One such search led to this:
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A third rarely used option is local estate sales. You never know what you might find:
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I've been delighted with the ebay model sellers. I have several favorites.

I've had only a few lousy experiences on ebay and all of these involved clothing.
The few poor experiences ive had in purchasing models on line have been with "major" model sellers. All of these involved inadequate packaging, and never a bait-and-switch.

I collect 1:24 models but nearly 2/3 of my modest collection has come from eBay. No problems.

My rule: I will only purchase models in their original packaging from sellers who have a 100% feedback rating. If the rating is less than perfect and I absolutely must have the model, I read the reason for the negative or even neutral feedback and go from there. Sometimes the reasons are ridiculous.

Yes, as Al says read the reason.

I recently read a seller's feedback from the previous month and he had a negative from someone who said delayed delivery gave her husband mental anguish. But the model was OK. Sheesh!

Not me Randall. Luckily I have GPM 1.5hours drive away from home plus ...

local toy fairs were I can get obsolete die-casts and new models in resin, white metal, zinc-alloy etc?.

Chris

Chris, excellent source(s). I am fortunate to have Wilkinson's eAutomobilia in my home town which is probably one out of two remaining scale model stores in my entire country. They are open about 4 days a week for 6 hours each day but it is enough for us miniature gearheads. Folks from across Canada and the Northwestern USA come to visit the store which is owned by a fellow who also restores and rallies old British cars!