eBay relatively new sellers

[TelePlay]

When buying on eBay these days, after finding the item desired at a good price, do you look at the seller feedback, date joined, seller location and seller's other items for sale before completing the purchase?

I found the item I wanted, seller only had 1 item (a remote control) for sale, seller feedback was 93%, feedback total number was 53, joined May of 2023, was located in North Hollywood and the seller's "other items for sale" looked like 1 of everything and anything one would see on the shelves of the local CVS Pharmacy or Target store.

I then found another seller in the remote business (member for over 10 years selling many different remotes) to buy from.

Anyone get this? Anyone care or don't care about what's going on these days?

[HarrySmith]

I agree. I do the same thing before making a purchase. I have paid more for an item from an established seller. Not worth a gamble for a few cents in my opinion.

[RDPipes]

ALWAYS look at sellers feedback and as a seller I look at Buyers feedback also depending on their feedback count.
Sadly nowadays I trust NO ONE! Nor can I afford to.

[SUnset2]

I did once get a real bargain on a nice phone from a brand new seller with zero feedback, likely because others were afraid to put in a bid.  I did give the seller detailed packing instructions.

[tubaman]

Yes, I always check a seller before purchase and will pay a little more to get what I want from a more established one if need be.

[Kellogg Kitt]

Yes, I read all of the seller's information, especially the feedback.  I also read it for buyers when I am selling something.  I do not eliminate someone just for being new (everyone has to start somewhere), but I consider that along with other factors.  If there is too much feedback to read all of it, I at least read the negatives and neutrals.

93% is alarmingly low.  I don't think I have ever seen one that low.  Most good sellers have 99 or higher.

As a buyer, my concerns are: bad packing, misrepresentation of the merchandise (especially used goods sold as new), receiving stolen goods (what I suspect in TelePlay's example).

As a seller, my concerns are: Nonpayment (has happened to me), retracted bids, buyer making a false claim against me with eBay, or getting involved in some type of weird drama or feud (I rejected an offer and blocked a buyer once because of several instances of confrontational feedback).

If you are  seller, something to be aware of (in case you don't already know), is that eBay no longer longer allows sellers to leave negative feedback for buyers.  You can still write negative comments, but they have to be marked "positive" with the green plus sign.  So, when deciding whether to accept an offer, it important to read the feedback instead of just looking at the number.

Also, keep in mind that eBay has protections for buyers and sellers.  As long as you are following eBay's policies, you are not likely to lose your money to fraud.  It is much easier though, just to avoid having a problem in the first place.

[FABphones]

I look at feedback, and other items. I also tend to ask a question to see if seller responds.