This is the time of year when I do my "behind the scenes" cleaning. I don't have to rush off first thing in the morning since summer's a little (just a little) slower. So I decided to tackle my kitchen cabinets. I rotate boxes and canned goods so that I will use up the ones that are expiring first and toss the ones that I forgot about and that have already expired.
I guess I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing and managed to break our espresso carafe—it fell out on the floor and shattered in a dozen of pieces. Poor Jack! One of his favorite weekend pastimes is a great cup of homemade espresso.
I started to search for a replacement online, and decided I’d try out eBay, since I’m always hearing people bragging about the deals they got. I figured between eBay or Target, I would get a better deal than going to the manufacturer’s website.
So I gave eBay a shot. I signed up for an account and searched and found a 4-cup espresso replacement carafe. I found one in black for $9.99 (used but in mint condition). I bid on it. In fact, I bid on it twice somehow, bidding against myself. After 5 days, I (and I) was the only bidder and I got it. Hurray! Jack will be getting his espresso. Then the invoice arrived by e-mail. It was $9.99 for the carafe and $7.05 for handling and shipping by parcel post.
I decided to do little more research, maybe in my zeal to be able to say that "I got it on eBay," I wasn't getting the best deal. I did another quick search and Target popped up with the same 4-cup espresso replacement carafe in black for $9.99, available online only. The difference? This one was brand new. The standard UPS shipping was $5.19 and tax $1.12. If I wanted to waive the shipping charges, I could have had it shipped to the store near me and pick it up.
I went ahead and bought the one at Target, but I decided to do one more check online. What would the espresso maker, Krups, charge for a replacement carafe? They had several different makes and styles. I found my 4-cup carafe and their cost was $9.48 with $3 shipping. Guess I should have gone there first. Sigh.
Just B
07:57:15 AM on Thu Aug 2 2012
Whenever you need something, want something, or just need/want to know about something - ALWAYS Google it first and follow the leads. You will be very surprised at some of the results.
Lou Ann
10:56:20 AM on Thu Aug 2 2012
As I always say with my facebook page...Shop Smarter, Not Harder.
Carol Scudere, Director Budget Meals, Inc.
11:02:37 AM on Thu Aug 2 2012
In this day and age it pays to be a wise shopper. We are glad that you learned how to use the system to get what you needed.
Christy
11:12:53 AM on Thu Aug 2 2012
That situation is all too familiar to me! I am always doing that between stores, online, and ebay - trying to find the best deal! I find myself thinking about it days after and am usually frustrated to find it went on sale at a particular place (or find a coupon for that particular item) at some point. Ahh!
Suzanne
11:20:02 AM on Thu Aug 2 2012
What do you mean you canceled the ebay order? That is generally not allowed. I was very surprised to read that. As an occasional ebay seller, I am a little disturbed by this.
Suzanne
11:22:38 AM on Thu Aug 2 2012
Oh, and the headline of you article is misleading. Ebay didn't do anything wrong--there wasn't any problem with the bidding/selling process. The problem came with your lack of research before you committed to purchase the item.
Stephanie Farley
11:58:50 AM on Thu Aug 2 2012
I always check a website like PriceGrabber, along with store websites to find the best price. I also have an app on my computer called Invisible Hand that pops up with the lowest price it finds. So I often get too much information, but usually find the best price!
Addie
12:07:39 PM on Thu Aug 2 2012
I use eBay all of the time. You just have to do your research ahead of time to make sure what you're buying isn't available cheaper somewhere else. I do that with any purchase really though, so it's not any different.
Peggy Gregory
01:16:32 PM on Thu Aug 2 2012
People need to do their homework before purchasing items from ebay. My daughter wanted a Fossil "Stella" watch that was not listed on the Fossil website. I checked many sites and the only place I found the watch was on ebay. I just could not justify paying $150 for the watch plus shipping. I was in Pigeon Forge, TN over the weekend and thought I would check the Fossil store at the outlet mall. I purchased 2 Fossil "Stella" watches for $100 (one for my daughter and one for me). Do your research and comparison shopping before buying from eBay.
Robin Melen
03:32:19 PM on Thu Aug 2 2012
Hi Suzanne~ Thanks for writing. That was actually edited out but managed to make it to the final version anyway. Oh, computers! Thanks!
Robin
Bob
01:35:41 AM on Fri Aug 3 2012
I agree with Suzanne. Canceling an ebay order is wrong and yes the title is very misleading. A little research goes a long way.
Jason Webster
01:51:27 AM on Fri Aug 3 2012
I try long and hard to find the best on-line deal,and it can be very difficult. I have run into couple of price comparison sites where a retailer post the lowest price and claims free shipping. After I have wasted my time going through the all the data entry (name, address, means of payment, etc), at check out there is a huge shipping charge. What a waste of my time. As I have gotten older and (hopefully) wiser I have come to realize, no matter how hard I try the is always a better bargain after I buy - I can only hope I got the best deal at the time. I just wished the on-line retailers would state the shipping cost up front so it would be easier and quicker to price compare.
Jeanie
02:30:17 AM on Sun Aug 12 2012
I have never and will never shop from Ebay plain and simple. I've been a savvy shopper long before the days of Ebay and I will continue to be without it. Research is my business, I enjoy it and that's what I do with all my purchases. When I'm confident I've found the best deal, I buy it and I'm always happy.