Why do folk buy on eBay rather than Amazon etc?

[starrychime]

I've listed a DVD, new in packaging, that I got for DD's Xmas but she's not keen on. It's £7 on Amazon with free delivery. I started listing at £3.50 and it' up to £6.50 plus £2.00 delivery! Why would you buy from some random on eBay rather that somewhere like Amazon do you think?

[Garnier]

I expect they think ebay is cheaper than amazon for a brand new and wrapped dvd.

[TheFarSide]

Ebay display the postage costs upfront whereas Amazon add them on at the checkout.

Amazon avoid paying tax in the UK.

[starrychime]

I guess that might be it, but I would always check prices on Amazon before heading for eBay I think. Actually on thinking about it maybe if folk have money in their Paypal account they'd prefer to use that rather than spend on a credit card even if it's a pound or two more, so maybe that's why?

[fergoose]

I think lots don't bother doing their research and presume ebay is always cheaper than elsewhere

[Picturesinthefirelight]

I associate amazon with new stuff mostly books and eBay with 2nd hand stuff.

[fosterdream]

I saw a used ds game sell in eBay for £28 and you could buy it new on play for £15! I haven't shopped on amazon for years since their partner company lovefilm decided I didn't really want to cancel my (lovefilm) account even after telling them so twice!

[lljkk]

Ebay avoid paying tax in UK, too! No moral high ground there.

Folk just do not browse around, baffles me, too.

[EcoLady]

Bonkers isn't it? I sold a duplicate gift DVD before Christmas on eBay. It went for way more than it would have cost on Amazon, plus my P&P charges. Some folks are just daft.

[Picturesinthefirelight]

I've just listed a couple of book sets on amazon ( one brand new). Could I list it on eBay as well then take it off smazon if I get a bid?

[TheFarSide]

Didn't realise Ebay are also tax avoiders lljkk.

[lljkk]

Somehow Ebay kept a very low profile when that scandal broke. I didn't understand how, either. I think Amazon may treat its sellers rather better, though.

[HormonalHousewife]

Starrychime has given you the reason why I often buy on ebay rather than amazon even if its a couple of quid extra.

I havent linked my ebay account with my bank details ever so my PP fund is 'magic money' ... easy come ... easy go.

If its not a serious sum of money then I'll use ebay instead of putting it on a credit card.

[sarahtigh]

ebay is registered in luxembourg the only advantage is that fees have luxembourg Vat at 15% rather than 20% this applies to fees not items

[lljkk]

It occurs to me: used to be the situation that to get your Paypal balance transferred to your bank account you had to pay a fee (rather annoying!). So I used to always think in terms of clearing my Paypal balance out as my first spending priority (does that make sense) rather than using cash from other sources? I think some buyers still could be thinking that way, Paypal balance is there to be spent as a different sort of money, not the same as ordinary cash.