 |
| John King is a graduate student and writes 'King's Eye Land' for the Daily News. His views do not necessarily agree with those of the newspaper. |
Other sites including Amazon.com and Buy.com have joined the hunt for bargain shoppers (victims), but I stick with the originals, mainly because I fear change.
Whether it's rare records, out-of-print books or the island of Guam, you can find anything for sale online. Once I saw a soul listed on eBay. That was hilarious, until "satanhimself666" started bidding.
People will sell anything, mainly because other people will buy anything. Alas, I am one of the latter, and I wield a mean credit card. Thus, I tend to squander money I don't have on things I don't need.
When I want a CD, DVD or book, I go to eBay or Half.com. After all, where else will I find that rare Henry Rollins boxed set? Where can I complete my Pixies discography? Where, oh where will Whiskeytown albums surface at affordable prices?
Where can I fulfill these petty needs? Not in Muncie, true believer.
Once, I could find dumb wasteful things inexpensively. I spent less than $100 on textbooks, for example. What greater waste of money is there?
It gets better. Perhaps the single most momentous achievement of my entire life was when I found Jimi Hendrix's "Stages" collection for less than $20. I also put together an AC/DC discography that frightens small children, and for that I am most grateful.
Yes, online buying was once the land of milk and honey, but not so much anymore. Dirty dealers have encroached, so buyers have to be even more careful.
With eBay, you may win an auction, but to finish the deal, you basically mail money into the ether and hope an item comes. With Half.com, you don't have to waste time bidding -- you can blow money right away.
Often, the excitement of receiving something in the mail is rewarded when your purchase is exactly what you wanted. Sadly, that's not always true, and often I have cried.
I'm not alone. Many buyers have problems with online purchases, including unfulfilled orders, slow shipping, bad products, high prices and pure, unbridled seller evil.
Sellers regularly gouge buyers by exaggerating (lying about) the conditions of products. Products may list as "mint" or "like new" but you might receive items laden with hoof prints and manure stains.
So, here's some advice:
Check feedback. Positives should vastly overwhelm negatives.
Be wary of dealers. You know a dealer (store owner, career flea market seller, gypsy) when a seller's customer feedback numbers in the thousands. Sellers can burn hundreds of people before site administrators will act (and even then, sellers can reappear under different names).
Individual sellers can be worse. Dealers aren't the only evil. It's not hard for an individual to get online, rip you off and vanish. Individuals commit the same offenses as dealers, but not nearly as often. Be wary of sellers with little or no feedback.
If you get burned, ask for a refund. If that doesn't work (or if you're just fed up with dirty dealers and want the instant gratification of sweet, sweet revenge -- which I'm not above) then by all means, leave colorful negative feedback.
Bottom line: Be careful and use common sense when buying online.
Also, be wary of Satan.
Write to John at kingseyeland@bsu.edu
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
