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Do you buy knives on eBay?

This unofficial survey is to determine who has purchased knives on eBay and a brief description of your experience. Would you do it again if you were a first timer? For those iKC members not based here in US what has your experience been using eBay? We are not looking at the seller experience just yet, only buyer. two main questions but fill in other information as needed.

Have you used eBay for buying knives?
How often do you buy on eBay?

Results of the poll are being tabulated and we'll post them shortly Thank you for your responses!

Tags: buy, eBay, survey

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Trent Rock on February 25, 2011 at 17:06

1)Yes

2) Maybe 10 knives a year

Sometimes more, sometimes less

Depends on how fat or thin my wallet is at the time...hehehhe

Most of them I keep or give away as gifts

Some I buy for potential capital gain

(to pay for the ones I REALLY want)

I ocasionally buy Chinese made knifes

If the price is right

I only buy if the pics are BIG and clear

I like being able to see the shipping costs upfront===>

I hate having to go through 3 pages of a "checkout" to see the shipping costs :(

Permalink Reply by Wayne Whitted on February 25, 2011 at 20:41

I do buy knives and many other things from eBAy. For the most part I have not had too much trouble. It is a safe place to BUY.

I shop ebay everyday, watching and bidding on items, mostly knives.

Ebay has truly become a buyers market where the buyer is treated the way he should be. Protection from bad sellers, overpriced shipping and making it easy to complete the sale has been improving over the years.

Permalink Reply by Doug Scearce on February 26, 2011 at 4:43

1] Yes

2]maybe 25 a year, but have slowed down now waiting for the right ones.

Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on February 26, 2011 at 9:11

Thanks Trent, thought you might buy there more, but some good points.

Trent Rock said:

1)Yes

2) Maybe 10 knives a year

Sometimes more, sometimes less

Depends on how fat or thin my wallet is at the time...hehehhe

Most of them I keep or give away as gifts

Some I buy for potential capital gain

(to pay for the ones I REALLY want)

I ocasionally buy Chinese made knifes

If the price is right

I only buy if the pics are BIG and clear

I like being able to see the shipping costs upfront===>

I hate having to go through 3 pages of a "checkout" to see the shipping costs :(

Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on February 26, 2011 at 9:12

Thanks Wayne, I don't buy often but agree many safeguards there.

Wayne Whitted said:

I do buy knives and many other things from eBAy. For the most part I have not had too much trouble. It is a safe place to BUY.

I shop ebay everyday, watching and bidding on items, mostly knives.

Ebay has truly become a buyers market where the buyer is treated the way he should be. Protection from bad sellers, overpriced shipping and making it easy to complete the sale has been improving over the years.

Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on February 26, 2011 at 9:14

Thanks Doug, I have definitely slowed down and am more discriminating in my purchases, thanks to iKC.

Doug Scearce said:

1] Yes

2]maybe 25 a year, but have slowed down now waiting for the right ones.

Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on February 26, 2011 at 9:16

Thanks, James, I thought that may be the case with you, but good to know you do use it to buy occasionally.

JAMES IVY said:

1-yes

2- a few a year, i'm mostly a seller!

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on February 26, 2011 at 10:13

1). No

2). See # 1

Just haven't .. used E-bay to buy knives. We buy bunches over the net .. making it easier for us to honor a conscious decision ... to NOT patronize wally~world.

………but for knife purchases .. NO.

I prefer older knives w/ unique stampings …or... newer knives incorporating “good” steel in the blades ...or... any knife w/ a unique locking mechanisms.

So I prefer ..no, I REQUIRE.. the hands/eyes on experience before purchasing .. something E-bay is simply incapable of providing.

Oh …. ‘n I’ve heard all the nightmare stories .. have heard a few good stories too. I’d rather see & hold what I’m about to purchase. That way .. I make a mistake .. I made the mistake .. period.

Permalink Reply by Jim Thompson on February 26, 2011 at 11:45

I have made several purchases of knives and other items from eBay over the past few years. I will not buy an item unless the pictures are excellent except in those cases I have knowledge of the seller. I also feel there is some knowledge gained as to understanding the current market prices on knives. The picture I have posted on iKC of the 5383 flat grind whittler is a recent eBay purchase.

Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on February 26, 2011 at 12:11

Thanks Dale, I guess you just can't beat hands on buying. Probably be a lot that feel that way!

Dale said:

1). No

2). See # 1

Just haven't .. used E-bay to buy knives. We buy bunches over the net .. making it easier for us to honor a conscious decision ... to NOT patronize wally~world.

………but for knife purchases .. NO.

I prefer older knives w/ unique stampings …or... newer knives incorporating “good” steel in the blades ...or... any knife w/ a unique locking mechanisms.

So I prefer ..no, I REQUIRE.. the hands/eyes on experience before purchasing .. something E-bay is simply incapable of providing.

Oh …. ‘n I’ve heard all the nightmare stories .. have heard a few good stories too. I’d rather see & hold what I’m about to purchase. That way .. I make a mistake .. I made the mistake .. period.

Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on February 26, 2011 at 12:14

Thank you Jim, one thing for sure eBay at least gives you an idea of market value for a knife. I have often watched a knife just to see what final bid was. Sometimes I'm mad that I didn't buy it, other times I marvel at the price and am happy I'm not paying it!

Jim Thompson said:

I have made several purchases of knives and other items from eBay over the past few years. I will not buy an item unless the pictures are excellent except in those cases I have knowledge of the seller. I also feel there is some knowledge gained as to understanding the current market prices on knives. The picture I have posted on iKC of the 5383 flat grind whittler is a recent eBay purchase.

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Scott King on February 27, 2011 at 8:53

Yes, I sure do, along with a lot of other old knife company memorabilia. It is a treasure trove of knife stuff and invaluable place for collectors of old knives and knife company history. I can spend hours scrolling through some of my favorite searches too- just search "Cutlery" (might want to subtract from the search certain words so you don't get CutCo and some of the other non-important words, cause the list will already be pages long).

Been on there since '99. "oldelephanttoenailhunter" is my handle :)

The number one lesson to buying on eBay is to read for what the seller is NOT saying. What should have the seller pointed out, that he/she didn't mention...and why? :)