Im looking around at boards but Ive never bought through the internet before and I'm a bit nervous about paying for the board and it never arrives or its not what they say etc.. Any tips to avoid pitfalls..
I've sold a number using seabreeze, two just this morning, and I think the biggest thing is both parties being honest and reasonable, I have previously sent pictures, especially if there are any dings or marks if I thought they could be deal breakers.
The reality is, if you want a board that is in new condition, spend the bucks and buy a new one, what you are buying is second hand, probably loved, but it is second hand
Buying via Seabreeze or another site?
I reckon on Seabreeze if its someone can verify their address and bonofides then it should be okay. If they rip you off and don't send you the board after you pay for it then you can pursue it with the police as a case of fraud. Plus their reputation here would be trashed.
I bought a sail through Seabreeze. Though tt wasn't in as good a condition as I expected the deal went through fine.
I am not sure about COD. I think the post office did it but I'm not sure if they still do it. I doubt any courier would do COD.
i think it pretty safe if you are buying inside AUS, i have brought a board and two sails and a fin and had no problems.dad has got a board and fins and had no problems either,a while ago.now dad and i have seem to be buying brand new gear which is costing a bit but its good when you know that your the only one thats sailed it.
p.s all off seabreeze too
why dont you drive down the road 5 minutes and by it from you local shop ( Board Crazy in Belmont )?
SBC,
I buy lots of stuff and use COD on a regular basis...I don't know about something as big as a board, but It won't hurt to ask Australia Post...I think weigh is more of an issue. With COD everybody Is covered, you get your board they get their cash and if it goes missing or gets damaged It's covered by insurance, There is a fee that the receiver pays when the goods are collected.
Make sure you get phone numbers and talk to people before the final purchase, Don't ever buy unless you have spoken to the owner first, If they are serious about selling something they wouldn't mind sending you some pics via email or any other info you might request.'
I myself like to see what I'm going to but first, Nothing like holding the board in your hands, feeling the weight and seeing any defects first hand. It would be very disappointing to have a board turn out to be not quite what you were expecting, would almost make me cry.
Why not try calling some windsurfing shops, It's almost the end of the season and is going to get harder for them to move boards, they may be willing to sell you something for a good price and ship it to you. I had recently purchase a new board and it got held up in transit, It arrived two days after I left for a WA holiday...They could not do enough for me and even offered to ship it to me on the west coast. The point being the guys in the shops tend to look after you as it normally means repeat business...We all know that we never stop spending coin on more gear.
Any ways good luck, hope you pick up sweet ride.
Jase.
i have purchased a few windsurfing items through seabreeze & ebay.
Ebay has paypal buyer protection provided you pay through paypal. Most people that sell on seabreeze live & breath windsurfing, a quick phone call usually confirms they are legit.
Transport will be your main problem, i dont think Aus post ship parcels over two meters.
I have used couriers, but keep in mind unless you pay for insurance no courier will accept responsibility for damaged / lost parcels. It rarely happens & so far my deliveries have all arrived ok.
In the past I have asked sellers to email me a photo of themself holding their driver's licence and a close up of their licence. A bit extreme maybe but it helps with peace of mind.
I've bought and sold second hand gear via Seabreeze many times. I'm happy to send gear without payment when selling and also happy to pay up front before getting the gear when buying. Never had a probelm!! As long as everyone accepts that it's second hand gear that's being bought and sold and that it's not going to be in pristine condition.
I've bought private through Seabreeze and also from windsurfing businesses around Aus and in Maui. Find a reasonable courier, and it shouldn't be a problem. With courier deliveries it's easiest to have items sent to a business address, otherwise you get a "we called but you weren't home" card, and you either have to arrange a mutually beneficial time or go pick it up from the depot (the latter is not much of a hassle as I go on my way to work.) I'm female, and I do like "shopping around" to find exactly what I want....it is all part of the fun experience of shopping.
What underpins every transaction is the Trade Practices Act, to ensure responsible and fair trade. Undertaking a sale through Seabreeze increases the bone fide nature to any transaction, both ethically and in law.
The reasonable option is to share the risk. Pay half up front and half when it arrives.
If they wont accept that then they are sus anyway.
SBC,
I have bought and sold all my gear (bar accessories etc) through Seabreeze. Never had any problems.
One thing that could help though is a standard condition ranking that everyone could use to grade their gear. What's excellent condition for one person may only be good condition to another. Nothing beats the tangibility of actually seeing the product as opposed to buying on-line.
Something like this grading used by 2nd Wind Sailboards would be useful.
A+ New A Like new, but not
A- Nearly like new
B+ Very good condition
B Very good condition, with minor blemishes
B- Good condition
C+ Good condition, not so pretty
C Not bad
C- Getting long in the tooth, but sailable
D Hey, I still work!
I've done a few buy and sells through Sea Breeze - always a positive result.
One buyer wanted to use escrow - see per the buy and sell Tip's and Tricks - Worked fine
www.escrow.com/
Gives the purchaser time to be sure they are getting what they expected - a little extra cost involved that the purchaser meet as a sort of insurance.
