is it just me or does ebay seem to be more expensive then most retail shops? ie fitbits at Big w

[zentraveller37]

seeheading

[lyndal1838]

Nobody is forcing you to buy on ebay so if you can find the item somewhere cheaper then just buy it from there.

Ebay has never been advertised as the cheapest place to buy anything but it can often be the most convenient for people in the country or for some reason unable to get to the shops.

[cathyjoyjoy]

It does appear that way, because the larger retailers get the best position when you search for something.

However, if price is important, always select your listing to show items according to "lowest price + postage" ..... and you will certainly see a difference in the prices of the same item.

[jessicadazzler97]

Yes, I've often found that 'little things' are more expensive than in shops. For that reason I don't know why people who live in bigger towns or cities actually bother buying on eBay. Like lyndal said, it's only really useful for those of us in the country who don't want to drive hours to a shop.

[davewil1964]

It very much depends on what you are looking for.

Out of print '70s SF? Good luck getting that from a big box retailer.

If you want big box retail why would you think BBRs would discount for the 'privilege' of selling through eBay? Anecdotally they are often out of stock for eBay purchases, but have stock available on their own websites.

Why? Why not? $500 a month (with sales guarantees and automatic deletion of defects and negs) to grind any upstart 'small' seller into the ground is cheap 'marketing'. And mug eBay doesn't understand that they will leave when they achieve that objective.

[springyzone]

The moral of the story is you need to know your prices.

And it depends on what you are after.

It's horses for courses.

I wouldn't have a clue about fitbits but I know that with some smaller items eg ribbon, I've found ebay to be a boon. I remember spending one day driving around several major retail outlets plus many smaller ones in Melbourne and I could not get the colour I needed. Not for love or money. (it was a pinky coral).

Got the exact shade in several widths at a bargain price, from a very helpful aussie seller on ebay.

Ebay can also be great for quality second hand items.

For phones, electronics, cameras and probably your fitbit, I'd be more inclined to buy in person from a shop.

But nowhere does it say ebay has to be the cheapest. Sometimes it may be, sometimes not.

[lane-ends]

Big sellers listing are just marketing catalogues, a large portion of sales then come from when buyers then go to store (or sellers site) to buy.

Processing Ebay sales for these stores is more effort than people shopping in store.

In fact processing ebay stores is more time consuming for anyone and hence makes things not as cheap