Estate buyer beware.

I've purchased a number of pipes on eBay and only had a problem with the last one. It showed up with an entirely different stem than pictured and with a broken bit to boot. I considered just having a new stem made for it until I realized the there was something lodged in the shank as well. Asked for a return and got one with no issues. Bottom line, I'm still an eBay/Paypal fan.

When it comes to buying pipes on eBay, I have a few rules that I don't break. Overall, I'm quite happy with the large majority of purchases I've made over the years and have only had one real problem that required interevention.

1. NEVER bid on a "no return" auction. No picture will offer me the equivalent of holding the pipe in my hands and checking it out.

2. Contact the seller to ask questions if you have any. If you don't see specific pictures that you want to see, ask for them. Ask for better pictures. Most sellers will be happy to oblige. Those that don't respond, I will probably skip their auction.

3. I always want to see pictures of the "business" areas of the pipe, the chamber and rim, and the button and slot, along with any other images. I don't bid on pipes that lack that coverage.

4. Do some diligence on how market values range for the pipes you want to buy, considering brand and condition. If you're looking a "collectible" pipes this is really important. To avoid being eBay roadkill, you should have some knowledge about the object of your desire.

5. Forget about the myth of eBay being the place to get the best price on collectibles. In an auction, you pay the highest price the market will bear. Occasionally it's a good deal. But eBay auctions go on for days, not minutes, and are often open to a worldwide market. If sellers were making bottom dollar on their items, why would they sell on eBay? I use eBay because I can find things there that I can't find elsewhere. Otherwise, I wouldn't set foot in the place.

6. Unless the item is one that you cannot bear to be without, never let yourself get into a bidding war. The only winner is the seller. Leave you fragile little ego at the door.

7. Never try to win by sniping at the last moment at a super high price. Believe it or not, you're not the only fool to think of and act on, this very stupid strategy. But if you are delusional enough to think it's a good idea, may I extend my appreciation and deepest thanks. Thousands of collisions in the financial stratosphere, between equally stupid snipers, have provided much merriment for me and many others who follow auctions. And the sellers, whose dingus just sold for 10 times the market value, are over the moon with this practice.

8. Never bid more than an item is worth to you. This is where doing that diligence comes into play. if it gets away, it gets away. There will always be something else.

9. If a problem arises, contact the seller immediately and see if you can settle the issues before involving eBay. Maybe I've been lucky, but I've had only one problem that couldn't be resolved without eBay intervention.

10. Keep in mind that the majority of sellers are honest, if sometimes unknowledgeable about what they're selling. Yes there are villains, but they're a minority.

11. The approval rating means zero, zip, nada, nothing. Lots of poisonous snakes have 100% approval ratings. Yes, people are that stupid.


Play the eBay game with a measure of caution and awareness and you will do alright.

😁 Dave only your therapist thinks so........... and the folks down at the VA Hospital ................... your neighbor.............. your friend Ralph..............your pet rock ..........................................Aunt Jemima............ The Maytag Repair Man...............................................😁