eBay better option than BST now...?

[ChitownM2]

As someone new here, but not new to buying second hand items on enthusiast forums, I view eBay as a "retail" site. The vast majority of sellers there are professionals selling items for a living. I expect to pay more on ebay as I don't think I'm getting a peer to peer discount and the buyer competition is substantially higher. On the plus side, you have a lot more sellers and can usually search and find what you wants as opposed to BST where you are at the whim of someone posting want you want and then you seeing it soon enough to snap it up.

If someone is looking to get top dollar for their item, they should sell it on ebay. If you want a relatively easier/quicker sale and are willing to pay it forward to another golf enthusiast, then BST is a good option.

[minhjn]

I pretty much agree with all of this. I kind of like knowing that I'm buying/selling a club to another golf enthusiast like myself.

[rmfulle]

Yes being burned as a seller on ebay with petty claims can be such a hassle. Smart to try and weed potentially problematic buyers out.

[RTP419]

Take a look at BST right now, some sellers appear clueless as to what their items are actually worth. For example, a Used Bag going for $5 less then New retail, a used set of irons $100 more then any completed auction on eBay. Shafts being sold for 40% more then I sold the exact same one almost 2 years ago. I think people fail to realize that just because you paid $200 for a bag earlier this year, that has been dropped to $170 retail now, doesn't mean your used bag is now worth $165. I also like the "Just Bought these rares shoes from (insert store, pro shop, etc) and they are the wrong size", and looking to sell, albeit for a 25% mark up. If they are the wrong size why not just return them? Save the BS story and admit you are trying to make a profit.

[cardia10]

Totally agree. You don't accidentally buy Jordan golf shoes for $180 then sell them for $400. You wanted to flip them and avoid ebay fees. These are usually the guys with just enough posts of "I agree" to get the minimum to sell. I still fail to see the difference in that and any Nike shoes from Ross or Burlington as these shoes are new as well. I would have a problem marking up those discount shoes here as I feel this is more about helping other golfers, but heck, if I walk in Ross and see 5 pairs of TPs, you better believe they are going on Ebay for $125 each. These sell as fast as you can list them there.

[SubaruWRX]

Selective enforcement of the rules... So inconsistent... God forbid you relist something in 29 days, that’ll probably result in a ban. Or if you accidentally list 11 items even though one is a set of irons with wedges, post taken down immediately... Ross/Burlington sales are forbidden, but blatant flipping or selling putters that were “won in a raffle” are ok?!?

[Russ757]

Some are laughable

[LPSISCO]

I love the ads for items “that I received for my birthday” - 4 shirts that are sizes Small, Large, XL and XXL, shoes that are men’s size 8, 10W, 13, 17, and women’s 6, 9, and 11.

No dude, you raided the clearance rack at Marshalls or TJMaxx. We all know it, we’re not stupid.

[gibbiesmalls]

[RainShadow]

All I've got to say is this place really went downhill after the revamp. And not just the BST, but it took the biggest hit.

[SubaruWRX]

Truth has been spoken!

[Used2PlayALot]

What is BST?

I want to buy a used hybrid

[KC13]

"Buy-Sell-Trade" under the Classifieds section.

[1mcozik]

I generally visit the BST and make a fair price counter that wouldn't be too ridiculous. I understand the seller has to pay for shipping and paypal fees so I try to ask for something a little under the asking price, if possible since I know how it feels to be the seller.

Still have to admit it's a little better than craiglist where you could run into the guy who didn't/"forgot" to bring enough money even after agreeing to the price multiple times.

[third-times-a-charm]

I've written off the BST for good, for now.

I've sold almost $4k of shafts/etc on ebay in the last few months and even with paying ebay 10% it's still been great. I have not, fingers crossed, had a bad deal yet.

[clinkinfo]

To illustrate the point about asking prices being stupid on bst at times.....go look right now. Someone is asking $42 a dozen for 6 YEAR OLD pro v1’s.

but offers are too low? Come on. The bst has become a mess of re-sellers asking way too much. There are people asking more than Callaway Preowned for stuff at times much less eBay.

[clinkinfo]

That’s how it SHOULD be working, and how it USED to be here.

 

its not how it is anymore

[TheMagicStinger]

eBay is great if you are patient. Posting WTB threads here is a good strategy to find what you need now.

 

I found a few deals on eBay. Set of C-Taper 4-PW with GP MCC+4 for $55 shipped. everything was in perfect condition when it arrived. Also picked up a TMB 2 Iron with stiff kuro kage shaft for $70. Then finally a set of 710mb irons 5-PW) missing 7i (which I had) for $80. I like the BST and eBay, but I've been leaning towards eBay for more obscure stuff lately.

[ChitownM2]

The next question is, how much of the low ball stuff that gets sold here ends up on ebay? I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if some of the people here making crazy lowball offers and just shoot off that 1 PM and you never hear from again are just independent retailers scouring the BST for items to resell at a profit.

[clinkinfo]

 

Yeah, or the same user with like 10 ads over there last months selling the same crap.

Some of us are that dumb though

, because when this topic came up before multiple posters claimed flipping wasn't happening here.

And don't complain to loud. There's a subset of users here that will jump on you for pointing out anything that's wrong.

 

[LPSISCO]

I honestly don’t care if people flip stuff....willing buyer, willing seller, not my business really. I can’t be bothered to do it myself - I see stuff at Marshalls all the time that I know I could sell for double on BST. If someone else has enough time to do it, I don’t care.

It’s the bullish!t explanation that I can live without.

[straightshot7]

Just from casually browsing, it seems like prices have gone up on the BST the past several months. As others mentioned above, people basically asking for the MSRP.

It used to be that you'd find lower prices on the BST than anywhere on the Internet. People weren't obligated to do it, but they'd give great deals on their used equipment.

Now, I think the prices are equal or lower on eBay.

[GeorgeHWB]

[MaddMaxx]

A word of warning for people considering Ebay.

Sellers no longer have any power on Ebay. You cant even leave negative feedback on a buyer.

I recently had a buyer force a return by saying the description was wrong.

The description was "SEE PICS, ASK QUESTIONS".

So ebay opens a return request and I have to pay return shipping.

No way to dispute the wrong description claim.

If I dont send the buyer shipping money or a shipping label he gets to keep item and is refunded the price.

Ebay will go after me for the refunded price and costs.

Ebay sucks for sellers.

[cardia10]

Happens to me too on occasion on Ebay. Leave a positive feedback but blast them in all caps so someone may read it. That is essentially all you can do anymore.