How many of your are Ebay buyers?

[supercow]

Prefer retail. Just heard too many stories about bad experiences (especially with regards to counterfeit and goods that aren't up to scratch) while purchasing over the net.

[AndrewM]

I have been an ebay user since mid-99.

The marketplace has changed A LOT since I first started... the advent of knock off but 100% genuine looking clubs is disheartening... But again I believe that can be avoided by buying from the right seller, ie, globalgolf, 3balls, etc. Their stuff goes for reasonable prices and you can absolutely count on good service, and a good return policy.

It is just SO important to be careful.... I had my first kind of bad transaction since about 2001 recently.... Ordered some balls, they never came, finally contacted by seller and received the balls and a 100% refund. The seller put up A LOT of auctions and never came through on any of them, but it seems everyone got their money back and he was kicked off.

On a seperate note the balls I did get, most of them were repainted which STINKS! They DO NOT play the same as new/used balls.

I also recently purchased two used wedges at golfsmith... paid the same as they were going for on ebay.

[LBlack14]

I buy, sell and trade on golf forums mostly. Unless there's something I wan't that doesn't come around too often. Then i go to Ebay and try to have a LITTLE patience. Usually a good deal comes along shortly.

[King Cobra II]

I've yet to buy anything but retail.

[putterboy]

I like to know for sure what I am getting. Thus far only used retail stores, but would consider buying from golfsmith.com or tgw.com
ebay scares me because of the potential fakes out there

[ChvyKc]

Yeah, the more that I look the more I want to stay away from Ebay. Most of the clubs are sold "as is" and with no warranty. Some of the bigger sellers offer the warranty and a return policy but you end up paying about the same amount you would from an online retail store.

[Rynofskie]

I got my ADAMS irons off of ebay for $168.00, they were $199.00 at Academy, and $399.00 at BassPro......eBay is my new friend.

[LBlack14]

I have made, litterally, hundreds of deals on forums and ebay. Have yet to get screwed!

[TourSpoon]

I bought my Foot Joy Dry Joys for over 50% off from Ebay advertised as blemished. I called the seller and she said she couldn't tell. They shipped and were great. I also bought a Cleveland wedge for 70% off retail (low ball bid). I hit it at the range and decided I didn't like it and sold it on Ebay as "used mint". That whole deal cost me $3.00 when it was said and done. I have recently bought from the Golf Warehouse and Golfsmith (online and store) and have found great deals and service.

[golfbarefoot]

I have made bought quite a few clubs through Ebay through the years and all the deals have worked out great. I have saved literally thousands..

in regards to buying safely:
1)only buy from a reputable seller, mainly store sellers with extremely good feedback
2)genuine pictures of the item not a stock photo
3)usually only when it is new, so there are no discrepancies about the condition of the club (his good condition may be your fair)

good luck

[The Rambler]

i have bought things on ebay. just not clubs. i think my most recent were upgrades for my ipod

[Kellfire]

I generally buy online to save on money...

I got my TM Rossa Monza Corza for about $60 on ebay, and it has clearly been rarely used. The insert was virtually perfect, the shaft mint and the grip not even hinting at needing a regrip.

I also got my Ping Eye2+ irons on ebay. They had the normal playing marks but weren't scuffed in any obvious way apart from that and the shafts are straight and true. The grips are good Golf Pride ones that have many years left in them.

At the moment I am waiting arrival of my TM R360 driver with a Fujikura Vista Pro 60 shaft that I picked up for $20. Even if it turns out to be a bit of a dud (the users 900+ positive feedback suggests it won't) it isn't a big loss.

To sum up, I love ebay and it is a goldmine if you stick to your budget and ask questions.

[ser182]

Bought from ebay and asaved 200 on some used Adams A2 hybrid irons.

[fusioncal]

Bought my Fusion irons 3-PW new in (used to be) graphite for $675 shipped on eBay. Compare it to MSRP in retail stores for $1,199. I saved a LOT.

[play4him]

I too have bought clubs off of Ebay. If you're patient, you can save a lot of money. I make sure that who I buy from is reputable. So far I haven't had any problems.

[stevestrike]

You are missing good options from this poll. Can someone not buy from eBay AND retail stores?

I buy used gear from eBay, new stuff online at reputable places, and anything else retail locally (gloves, etc..)

[ks8829]

I bought most of golf equipment on ebay

bag: Mizuno Aerolite
irons: MP 30
putter: Scotty Cameron Newport 2
Driver: TM R5
Fairway: TM R7
Shoes: Bite


My only bad experience in the beginning of my ebay purchases was when the seller describe their product as almost new and when I receive the item it was all nicked up. I was not careful and learned the following:
1) Buy from an ebay seller with many transaction 300+
2) Be careful of general picture and not the actual item shown
3) Read all the bad feedbacks from previous transaction.

I also use ebay for research on items I am thinking of buying, its also a great resourse for products.

I've had 53 transactions on ebay and all but one were good experiences. In fact one person did not have the item that I won and she send me a free item in its place as good will.

[buggyman]

I AM LEFT HANDED... in saying that it really SUCKS to go into a store with 500 sets of right handed clubs and go to the left handed section to find 4 sets of game improvement clubs with regular shafts, and I am talking big stores (Golfsmith and 2 Edwin watts within 20 minutes of me). So I shop allot on Ebay. I look for everything on there now. Not to mention if I want to try a club I have bought several, tried it for a week and turned around and sold the club and got almost all, if not all my money back. I recently bought a set of callaways X forged 4-pw with 3 x tour wedges and a Odyssey putter of $675. The clubs were used like twice. I ended up selling the itmes separate and making $260 profitt. I have a local shop and the owner is a friend and sells Taylor made so I get TM cheaper then ebay. But I have pretty much given up on Retail stores for left handed players clubs. I love EBAY and have NEVER been burned. I have had to shop allot lately while building my set to my liking. I am pretty much done, but still love to look at the deals.