You Can Do It EEEEEEEEbay!

Have you used a website like Craigslist or EBay to buy or sell something? What was the experience like? Would you use such a service again? If you haven’t, detail how you have sold or bought something outside the environment of a retailer.


I have been both a buyer and a seller on both Ebay and Craigslist.  Just like my previous post, I think both sites offer wonderful advantages but it doesn't mean you don't have to use your brain! 


The film company I work for has an Ebay rating of 100%. We have to use Ebay to stay alive. In 2009 we traveled to France, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Monoco, The Canary Islands and the UK to shoot  film documenting the most wnning team in professional cycling - Team HTC Columbia.  In order to accurately capture ever minute of the Tour de France, various interviews and B Roll shots, we employed the use of 14 cameras! A few of those camera cost well over 7 thousand dollars. You add all that up plus any other miscellaneous item and it's enough to cover the average JMU teachers salary for two years. 


So when the project was done, we had to get rid of the inventory and recoup money lost. We do this with ever project infact - technology changes so quickly that we have cycle in newer toys every time anyhow. Ebay is the answer.


In order to avoid getting screwed, there are a few rules we follow - 
1.) Never sell overseas
2.) Be honest, take LOTS of pictures and explain why are getting ride of the item. 
We sold everything, no problems, no kinks no nothing. 




When I was 12 years old I got into cycling - I was short and had no coordination so basketball wasn't really my thing.  I found a pair of used Time pedals I wanted - (They allow you to lock your feet to the pedals for extra control over the bike. And yes they are very safe.)  The pedals were 7 bucks. I got them right away and even if I hadn't, I still would have only been out 7 bucks. 


Last year, during the epic winter storms, I was unable to train on my bike due to the 3 feet of snow. So I found some cross country skis on Craig's List. I wasn't about to have anyone mail me anything or send a check willy nilly. Luckily, I came across a woman who had multiple pairs who lived 10 minutes away. For safety reasons we me at the elementary school and exchanged goods. They were crap but I knew what I was paying for before I got them.


So thus far my experiences have been very good.  I use both a lot more than I illustrated but those were just a few examples of my experience with the services. If you use your head, you won't get screwed (theoretically.)