A lot of us have been using eBay for a long time. I know I have been buying stuff off of it since I heard about it.

In all these years I have never been ripped off. Very lucky, maybe, or really just normally pretty up front eBay sellers, like me.

I purchased 2 HID kits, from seller orangemika in a single order a few days ago, and they arrived today. They were shipped from 11 miles away, in Walnut, Calif. The seller charged me X 2 ($29.99 x 2) for shipping/handling for a single order, shipped in one box, for a total of $59.98! Wow, I could of had that box hand carried those 11 miles for that, with a bouquet of flowers.

I emailed the seller, orangemika, who is selling these HID kits. You will note that in his description he details that the kits come with a 2 year warranty:

"All of our HID Conversion Kits, HID Bulbs, and Digital Ballasts are covered by a 2-Year Warranty. The warranty covers any factory defects with the bulbs and ballasts. If the product stops working within 2-Years from the date you purchased it, send it back to us and we will replace the defective item. It's as easy as that! Keep in mind that our defective rate on HID Kits and parts is less than 0.3% (yes, less than 1%!) so you can buy with confidence."

http://cgi.ebay.com/BEST-XENON-HID-CONVERSION-KIT-6000K-8000K-10000K-12000K_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ94850QQihZ017QQitemZ270401941392QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVWQQsalenotsupported

I suggested that he must have made a mistake to double charge for S/H, and to please reinburse me back $29.99 for the extra S/H fee he over-charged.

Here is his response about the over-charge on the shipping and handling:

"About the shipping. We pay $30 USD to the Factory insurance to make sure they will give you two years warranty without any words. Thx^^"

Now, I am not too worried about the $, but the principal gets me. I am retired and don't have a whole lot of excitement, other than the 14. Failing to correct this, he can join me to the local court and explain his reponse to the local judge! I've always found they are pretty reasonable...

So this is my 'first' off of ebay. eBay will be provided notice as well.

I note he has a lot of positive feedback. Seems he just dinked out on this for some reason, and lost his common (and legal) sense.

* Last updated by: JDC on 6/18/2009 @ 5:51 PM *

sucker!

wee

I've never used E-Bay and never will...I don't trust folks enough. I've found everything I've ever needed at great prices, either through businesses that take credit cards, or locally. I will spread the word about this jack-off for you tho JC. Hopefully he decides to make right for you

Thanks Bad.

I just received another email, apologizing, and basically stating that's how they make their money off these units, since "tehre is no way you can buy the kit for $29.99 in U.S.A . even the auto zone sell the halogen bulb for $40."

They are offering a refund. I appreciate that more direct honesty.

sucker!

wee

What a fucktarded response that was.

Schnitz, is another one to watch. My total cost on a sprocket ended up at over 128$ OUCH.

My total cost on a sprocket ended up at over 128$ OUCH

now i'm not a big fan of schnitz .. but i do know they give you a total before you hang up on phone orders .. so if you let them charge you 128 for a sprocket thats your fault..

JDC, I use eBay a lot. You definitely have to always add shipping cost into total cost. It's a very common practice to bloat up shipping cost in order to get some profit. Why? B/c a lot of people look at cost of item and not at shipping... so someone started doing this, competition had to follow to keep up. Now too many are doing it.

So far I had great luck with eBay, but yes it's a bit different than buying from the store so this is the normal adjustment scenario. I hope this won't discourage you from eBay altogether as a lot of stuff there is cheaper in total cost.

I've used ebay for years now, and never had any real problems. I make sure I factor in shipping when I'm bidding.

Alex,

Yes, I agree with you.

Glad they fixed it.

* Last updated by: JDC on 6/19/2009 @ 2:29 PM *

now i'm not a big fan of schnitz .. but i do know they give you a total before you hang up on phone orders .. so if you let them charge you 128 for a sprocket thats your fault.

Bad I hope you do not believe that I would post my warning with out having a good reason. I am referring to hidden shipping costs or hidden fees. In the online catalog the cost of the sprocket was 55.95 shipping was 22 dollars the duty adds some but where the slap in the FACE comes is when I guy knocks on your door and he tells you that he is from UPS and you owe him a COD charge of 39.56 . This is what happened to me. I agreed to all the above charges but I can assure you I had no idea about the additional charge or I would have told them to shove their sprocket up their A^s . I spoke to no one, this was a catalog order online. I spoke to some guys at the track and they also reported the same BS from Schnitz. If I would have gone online with Vortex direct the price was 15 dollars more for the sprocket but no bullshit. The point being they make huge doe from shipping. Fooled me once, but if this info saves another member 40 bucks then all is good, right?

Romans,

I agree with you. Tell me, up front, 100% of the fees. Don't hide, don't manipulate, don't lie.

That type of behavior, is on small scale, how big business has fooked the US consumer, govt, etc.... greed getting the country, and generally occidental countries in a world of shit.

The eventual small extra costs are nothing compare to the level of pissed-offness at being disrespected, considered too stupid to tell the difference, or assert back, and at the lack of common sense and thinking 'they', whoever, can get away with it.

It is the principal of the thing.

and war! LOL

* Last updated by: JDC on 6/19/2009 @ 3:50 PM *

I spoke to no one, this was a catalog order online. I spoke to some guys at the track and they also reported the same BS from Schnitz.

That's weird.. I have ordered from Schnitz a lot.. both over the phone and online. There shipping ia a bit high.. there prices aren't the cheapest but they are the fastest I have found and certainly have been upfront about the charges. I order from them because they offer stuff you just can't always get elsewhere... or if you can.. it's a long wait while the seller orders it from Drag Specialties or Tucker. When Schnitz just has it ready to ship. I always get my stuff fast from Schnitz.. and I am West of them by several states where UPS can take up to 7 days ground. Schnitz ships that day and the only wait is UPS. I hate to sound like a Fanboy cuz I am not.. I order from lots of places. But it just seems weird.

--
Order July 6, 2008.. in my hands ... July 11, 2008. Hard to beat that for expedient service.

Subtotal: $304.90
Shipping: $12.05
Total: $316.95

ORDER DETAIL

Line Item 1
1 427- Sprocket, Rear, Kawasaki ZX-14 - Vortex - Sprocket, Rear, Kawasaki ZX-14 06-08 - Vortex $55.95
Select Size : 43 Tooth #427-43

Line Item 2
1 4350 2-Step, Launch Master, Kawasaki ZX-14 - MSD $226.00

Line Item 3
1 16-ZX14 Sprocket, Front, Kawasaki ZX-14 - Vortex - ZX-14 16 Tooth Front Sprocket $22.95

--

Got to be a Canadian customs/tax issue here.

* Last updated by: motoCycho on 6/19/2009 @ 3:50 PM *