Originally Posted by Sammyboy
You can get great deals on eBay, but the trick is to watch everything, and only buy what's a bargain. If you go out to buy something specific, and you need it RIGHT NOW, chances are you'll pay well for it. I buy what's cheap, it goes in a box, and comes out when I need it.
Also, I sell vintage parts on eBay, and none of mine are stolen. I buy complete bikes when they're cheap, part them out, keep bits I need, sell the rest, and make a tidy profit.
+1 on the above. Ebay helps me to afford the bikes I have by buying bikes/parts localy and then being able to sell to a national audience of potential buyers. I recently sold a Schwinn Paramount frame that I got for $20 and while I will not disclose the final selling price, I had over 1400 people veiw it. That sort of activity is not possible selling to a local only audience. There is always the issue of honesty in any auction but so far, I have nothing but good experinces with ebay. I find it best to buy local and sell national. FWIW.