Poll - Which are you more likely to buy off eBay?

[Steve Warden]

I wasn't going to vote or post, until I saw the "I don't buy from ebay" option.
While I'm sure many have done well, even a real steal or two, I've also heard a lot of horror stories.
I've never purchased from the 'bay, doubt I ever will.

But that's me.

[Doc B]

I always factor in the cost of shipping in deciding if I want the knife. I keep a spread sheet of the knives I buy...it has one value listed that is equal to the price of the knife + shipping. I don't know if it was free shipping or 5.99 for the shipping. In my mind, it's irrelevant. The price of the knife is what it cost me. So my bid, on eBay factors that in.

[Lansky1]

I avoid auctions where the seller insists on charging the buyer $7.90 for the usps priority box (for their convenience) when I know it only costs a bit over three dollars to ship it first class. Its only a few bucks, but the whole thing rubs me wrong ... i have to really want a knife to deal with those $8 shipping box sellers

[Railsplitter]

I avoid auctions where the seller insists on charging the buyer $7.90 for the usps priority box (for their convenience) when I know it only costs a bit over three dollars to ship it first class. Its only a few bucks, but the whole thing rubs me wrong ... i have to really want a knife to deal with those $8 shipping box sellers

I don't mind that too much but I absolutely understand what you mean. Those flat rate boxes are designed to ship anything that will fit in the box for one flat rate.

If I'm shipping say, a Case Medium Stockman, I don't need a box that big. I could probably fit 4 or 5 of those in one flat rate box. Those boxes are only an advantage when you're shipping something that would cost more if you used a different box.

In my experience, First Class is usually just as fast as Priority Mail and when it isn't, it only takes 1 day longer to arrive.

This is probably why USPS lets us have those flat rate boxes for free. They know that many people over pay for shipping when they use them.

[Colonel26]

Wade, your last thought, "I'm a broke cheapskate", is also listed as my MOS.
Treefarmer

[eveled]

I voted you missed an option

I make my decision based on the total cost.

You have to “count the cost” in everything you do. Look at the big picture and look for hidden costs and the total cost of ownership.

[jerryd6818]

I voted you missed an option

I make my decision based on the total cost.

You have to “count the cost” in everything you do. Look at the big picture and look for hidden costs and the total cost of ownership.

I only had ten lines to cover as many bases as possible. I do the same thing as you (deciding based on total cost and bidding with the shipping factored in to decide my top bid) and yet I didn't think of that one.

[eveled]

[Old Hunter]

Due to past disappointments with sorry W&T in pocketknives, I usually only buy fixed blade knives on eBay. However I love to get free shipping and if I think the shipping is overpriced I won’t buy the knife unless it’s an old Buck 100 series and underpriced (that way it’s a wash). OH