Considering that "gyped" is EBAY's middle name, it's hard to avoid it. I've made some purchases outside EBAY before, but there are just so many vintage Mac items on EBAY that I sadly keep my eyes glued to it. I hardly every buy anything these days on EBAY, especially since USPS killed off the only economical way to ship complete systems to me outside the USA -- Ocean. But I have been ripped off before and nothing I did helped get me a discount, more less my money back. Thankfully my worst experience on EBAY was with a low cost item, but I had to pay more in shipping (to Japan via AIR) than the item was worth. Here's the story...
A couple years ago I bought an Apple mouse on EBAY. I wanted the same transparent/black kind for use with my G4 Cube. My previous mouse had a cable that frayed just as the cable exits the back of the mouse. I searched Yahoo Auctions here in Japan, but prices were too high for my taste and despite my knowing Japanese, I wanted the transaction to be 100% in my native tongue of English. My searching ultimately led me where it always does, back to EBAY. I of course searched for a reasonable price (not necessarily the "lowest price"), from a seller who had the guts to sell outside the beloved US of A (yes, sellers who discriminate against Americans living outside The Motherland piss me off). His willingness to ship "worldwide" immediately garnered my respect, even though I didn't even know him. Funny how that works, especially when issues like blatant discrimination upsets you so. Anyway, I spoke with that seller more than once prior to purchase. I explained why I needed a mouse replacement because I did not want a mouse that would have the same problem as the mouse I was trying to replace -- a damaged cable. The seller assured me the mouse would not have a frayed cable like my old mouse. Moreover, he told me it would be the best mouse of all the mice had had for sale. He had a good feedback rating, so I felt safe about a purchase from him.
I won the auction and a week later the mouse arrived. The box was tiny and not well packed, but it contained a handwritten letter from the seller. The letter repeated that this mouse was the best he had and he knew I would be happy with it. I felt greatly relieved. Two seconds later I noticed the mouse had the exact same frayed cable as my defective mouse.
I feel like this was more than mere deception. It was almost like the seller patiently listened to my story, then looked for the worst mouse he had -- one that had the same problem as I reported. In light of what he told me prior to the sale, and especially in light of his handwritten letter, what other conclusion could one arrive at? There are other stories as well, but I spare you.
There is a Satan, folks. He sells Apple-branded trinkets that you and I like to buy from time to time.
All said, I somewhat feel like a masochist. Because despite knowing how treacherous many vendors are on EBAY, I continue to go their to get my vintage Mac fix. On some level, I feel very ashamed. May you fair better than I have.