Originally Posted By Mr X Okay, so I need a new battery for my powerbook (an older model), and I called Apple and was told it was around $150. However, I found the same battery listed as "new" on ebay for around $50. Obviously, I'd like to save the cash BUT, is it safe to buy a "new" battery that has probably been sitting around for a long time? Or is it no problem? I'm imagining if they sit around and then get sold on ebay it's the same if they sit around at the Apple store for a couple of years...BUT, I figured there must be a catch to get such a deep discount on a "new" item. Anyone know about this stuff (maybe Peeaanuut?)??
Originally Posted By EdisYoda I wouldn't take a chance. Don't know if they have them where you are Mr. X, but there are some stores around here that sell just batteries. Perhaps you can check into a place like that?
Originally Posted By jonvn Info: Don't. Why people buy stuff on ebay is a mystery in the first place, but something like this just yells out NO.
Originally Posted By peeaanuut usually ebay is a good buy, however in the case of batteries, it is not a good idea. You dont know if it has been run down, left in poor conditions, treated properly or anything else. Also, that 100 dollar savings could cost you more if it causes your macbook damage. Spend the extra 100 bucks and get piece of mind for free.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 also as someone in the industry a lot of batteries/ power packs listed on ebay as 'original equipment' turn out to be knock offs from China. And yes some major corps do build PC components in China - but they are in plants that are at least somewhat regulated. I agree with peeaanuut -- do not risk your machine....
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains My husband and I buy and sell stuff on ebay all the time - He has bought everything to rebuild his motor in his car (about 1/3 the cost when finished), 2 motorcycles, my Excursion, too many guitars for me to even remember, stuff to rebuild his recording studio thing... Never have we had a problem - we always check the sellers feedback and read what others have said - if they have too many negatives we avoid them, same if they have too many feedback withdrawls...
Originally Posted By MOLLYSMOM Same here...I'm always checking out ebay for a good deal. As villains says, you HAVE to be smart about who you buy from. Always check the # of sales they have, and always check out their feedback. I've NEVER gotten burnt, and like villains, I have gotten several "killer" deals. I even got my dad to check out ebay once for a specialized faucet. He bought a new one from ebay that saved him $125. He uses ebay quite often to check prices.
Originally Posted By Mr X Interesting, thanks guys. As for the knock off/danger issue, does it make any difference that it's listed in Japan by a Japanese seller? (I don't think they have as many "pro" net auction types here that would engage in such fraud, but I could be wrong)
Originally Posted By Tinkerbell819 I've bought a lot of stuff on Ebay, including my car, and I've been checking out their auctions for a new battery for my DS's laptop. He has a Dell and it looks like they run about $45-$50 on Ebay instead of $150 from Dell. I have been burned from sellers lately and haven't been buying like I used to b/c of it. Sometimes, the good percentage on the feedback isn't enough. You have to check the # of items they've sold and how many negatives they've received in the past month. These power sellers might sell about 15,000 things and b/c they sell so much, 16 negs in a month won't have any bearing on their total percentage. At times I've been in a hurry, I saw that they had 99% and just purchased the item without checking into it enough and been stuck. I haven't left neg. feedback, b/c I can check and see that they leave retaliation neg. f/b to anyone that leaves it to them. Sometimes I've noticed that a buyer will leave positive feedback with a negative comment. (To try to let us poor suckers know what we're getting into w/o ruining their own reputation.) For example: I bought a "Brand New, Never opened/sealed" laser printer this year & the guy had 99% f/b. The description went on and on and on with giant size fonts explaining all of these boring details that nobody cares about. If you tried to read it all you'd get a headache. I went ahead and bought it. The thing came and there was no toner or drum in it. I wrote to him about it and he says "It's clearly written in the description" that no drum or toner is included. I went back and looked and I couldn't find it written anywhere. A friend of mine finally spotted where he had it typed in the smallest font available placed in the middle of all of his jargon. Well, I saw "brand new in the box" and figured, how can you get a toner and drum out of a sealed box, right? We went back and forth and he finally agreed to let me return it, but I had to pay for the shipping, which was almost the cost of toner and a drum, so in the end, I didn't bother. I noticed that everyone that bought the printer I did, left him neg. f/b and he left if for them in return with the comments "Desciption CLEARLY states", etc... like we're all a bunch of losers that can't read. He had about 20 negs in the last month, but b/c he sells thousands of things, they didn't change his percentage. So, be sure to read the comments before deciding who to purchase from. I always look for a refund policy, too. Thirty days is a bit short for something like a battery. 90 would be better. When I got his power cord there was a 30 day policy and the thing broke just about 28 days after we got it, I'd have been up the creek if it lasted for another 3 days!
Originally Posted By SuperDry I know that knock-off cellphone batteries are a major problem (not restricted to eBay). At least one cellphone manufacturer has put hidden authentication codes on their batteries: purchasers who want to confirm that it's a genuine article can scratch off a seal on the battery to reveal a hidden code that can be validated on the manufacturer's website. An entry in the manufacturer's database is one thing that the counterfeiter's can't fake. I have unknowingly purchased a counterfeit item on eBay. It was a "new, factory-sealed" item of commercial software. Upon receiving it, there was absolutely no way to tell that it was not the genuine article, but a quick search in Google of the activation code showed that it was a known counterfeit. There was little damage done to me in this case, as the software was no doubt a bit-perfect copy of the original, and the manufacturer had turned off activation of this software since it was such an old version. The damage of course was to the manufacturer, who never got any revenue from my purchase. But a battery is a different matter. There are safety issues as well as performance issues. I'm not sure what I'd do in a similar situation, but it's certainly possible to purchase a counterfeit item on eBay and not know it, and the seller's rating will not help you if the goods are delivered and work properly at first most of the time.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ absolutely -- and the fire risk from batteries in something that you may leave on for long periods of time is serious. I buy and sell on ebay -- but just like anywhere else, it the deal is too good to be true - it likely is. If you purchase a Coach or Dooney & Bourke purse for instance and you can get it for $20 - it's a knock off. If you buy that special someone a Tiffany bracelet and you are the only bidder at $20 - fake !. Rolex watches do not come for $100 - etc..... Now paying top dollar doesn't guarantee a real anything either - , but getting it for next to nothing just doesn't happen.
Originally Posted By peeaanuut I agree that e-bay is a great place to get deals. I usually never have a problem and I have even purchased electronics without an issue. But batteries are something I dont screw with. Along with tires for cars, I just don't take any chances. Just a personal preference.
