E-Bay Lunatics

[gregony]

I'm in the market for a new skimmer for a 90 gallon. I've been scouring the internet for a while now looking over different models, reviews, etc. I haven't got the money saved up for a new one yet, so I've been bidding (very low, carpet bagging style) on used skimmers on E-bay to see if one falls through the cracks in the meantime. Why just the other day, I bid on a used Lifereef VS3-24 with Mag9 for 150. Got outbid, but that's life. There will be another skimmer along shortly and I'm not in a hurry, or I'd just card up a new one. Because I've been doing this for a over a month now, (I managed to carpet bag a used T-3 water pump for $56 with shipping) I've come to realize that there are two types of E-Bay sellers.

One type of seller has a USED item and knows it doesn't sell for nearly what they paid for it. They've purchased something better, or they need meth money, or lost their job, or whatever. They have a firm grasp of reality and list their product for a real min price, without the lame a@@ hidden reserve feature. Once I bid on an item and I see the "reserve not met" message, I move on. As tempting as it is to waste my time bidding against the seller himself, I always seem to find something better to do.

The other type of seller is kind of like a carpet bagger only in reverse. They typically have new products, and list them for more than what they're worth. For example, right now, this very instant, there are two Precision Marine Bullett One skimmers listed on E-bay. One, lists a buy it now price of $400. The other lists a buy price of $450 . Now, if you walked into your local fish store and saw these two skimmers for the above prices, you wouldn't be surprised. They have retail rent, employees, parking spaces to keep painted, etc. They have to mark stuff up. But, you're already online 'cause you're on E-bay, are there really morons out there who don't go to any online aquatics store and figure out that a PM Bullet One goes for under $350? What's really funny is that the one listed for $400 actually has a bid posted for 305 and that hasn't even met the reserve (someone is so desperate to save 35 dollars on 340 that they would bid from someone on e-bay with a suspicious rating). And the seller has a 97% rating, which is about as low a rating as I've seen. The only thing I can think of is that this scam actually works, or these guys wouldn't be doing it.
Since it must be working on somebody, I feel compelled to state what I thought was the obvious thing to everybody on the planet, SHOP AROUND, don't be a lunatic and think because something is on E-bay (and the seller says it retails for 500 so isn't 400 a great deal) that it's cheap and a good deal (or that the seller is telling the truth).
Also if you're looking at skimmers on E-bay, make sure you verify the type of pump with the seller. Recently a sales lot of blemished EuroReef's went through E-bay for a really nice price. I was very tempted by the CS8-2, but it had a Gen-X powerhead pump on it, which to me, makes it a Pacific Coast Import skimmer. Not a bad skimmer, just not worth a 200 dollar bid IMHO. The pump is pretty much the most important part of the skimmer. Verify that pump. Also, be suspicious of "I'm not really sure what kind of skimmer this is but I think its a ..." . If anyone on this forum reads this thread and doesn't know what kind of skimmer they have, PLEASE, PLEASE reply and let me know, because I don't think such a person exists (kinda like Oompa loompas.) I'd really like to hear from you if you do not know what protein skimmer you are using(or if you're an Oompa loompa.) And as always, if you like something on E-bay, but you're not sure, these forums will answer any direct questions you have on just about anything, or they'll point you to someone who can, even if you're an Oompa loompa.

Happy New Year

[Parrothead]

Hey Greg,

I know what skimmer I got, and I'm not an Oompa Loompa,

But I did see a Oompa Loompa Thursday night around 11:30 p.m.

10-4 on the E-Bay, I've been watching a few items, looking for lights myself, and the nova extreme pro that I want, I've seen selling for more than Marine Depot and some others sell for. And they've got several of them. 10+ in one case, so people, like Greg said, becareful what and where you buy


Happy New Year to you as well

[Steve McKay]

"I know what skimmer I got, and I'm not an Oompa Loompa,
But I did see a Oompa Loompa Thursday night around 11:30 p.m."

I think I saw him too.

Personally I wouldn't touch E-Bay,good deal or not.I have no idea on what kind of return polices they have if any.It's just not worth the risk period.

[gregony]

Well, we've got two guys who've seen Oompa loompas and no one that is ignorant as to the type of skimmer they have. I believe my hunch to be correct. That you should avoid buying from "I'm not sure but I think this is an Octopus 250" on ebay or anywhere else for that matter. There could be a situation where a lady (or to be fair a man) got the house and everything in it in a divorce and truly doesn't know-but you've got a better chance of riding on the space shuttle (and living to tell about it). After all, in the divorce scenario, the offended spouse will probably break the protein skimmer over the offending spouse's head in a classic "you care more about this tank than you do me!" altercation. And thus - no skimmer available for sale.
And, we learned that Parrothead and Steve had a much better time on New Year's Eve than I did.

[Parrothead]

"And, we learned that Parrothead and Steve had a much better time on New Year's Eve than I did."


felt like skim-mate from an Oompa Loompa Skimmer the next day though

[Steve McKay]

"And, we learned that Parrothead and Steve had a much better time on New Year's Eve than I did."

"felt like skim-mate from an Oompa Loompa Skimmer the next day though"

[redneckgearhead]

lol I had to go look at what skimmer i have (says aqaurium systems on the lid). BUT i got the whole setup given to me tank, stand, refuge, fish lr and all.

Oh and i have a rule that i will not buy anything on ebay for more than half of what it costs new at the store/mail order. Just for the simple fact that you have no support after the sale. And most of the time I will not buy from ebay stores, if i wanted to pay retail i would keep my money local (if possible) and not pay shipping. Another thing i have noticed is that some ebay stores will put a low starting bid/buy it now price and then make up the differance in price with the shipping. buyer beware

[gregony]

Honestly, you probably weren't the only one who read that post and went to go see what they had. Did you have the Oompa Loompa song playing in your head when you went to go look?

Oompa Loompa doopidy do, I've got another riddle for you,
What kind of skimmer is under your tank?
Does it make stuff that smells kind of rank?
Is it skinny or is it fat?
Does it roar or purr like a cat?
Is it an octopus or an ASM?
Is it crap or is it a gem?
Either way lets put it on E-bay,
And look for a sucker to make our day,

Then we will live in happiness too,
Like the Oompa Loompa doopity doo!

[pstock44]

Parrothead...I know of a site that the previous sales clerk of my LFS gave me that has super prices on lighting and I will use them to upgrade my lighting when I can afford it. For a change I found someone that really wanted to help a newbie and he gave me a lot of good info that I verified elsewhere before I finally trusted him. I don't know if I can post web addresses so if you want to check them out let me know if I can post it here or send me a private email.

As far as buying from Ebay I have to disagree with those that don't like to buy there. If you're careful, watch ratings and know what you want to spend you can get great deals on everything. I've purchased everything from equipment (salt, lights, skimmer & pumps) to critters (snails, crabs, rock and plants). I have not had a bad purchase yet and everyone has been honest, quick and responsive, even crediting me for some DOAs. But I do my homework, I'm very cautious, usually look for the best "buy now" deals or only place one bid 30 seconds before closing (my way to win or lose LOL).