Is it safe to buy games from eBay?

I want to buy a DS game from eBay, but I've heard some stories about games being fake and not working when bought from there. And I've never bought anything from eBay, so I'm not sure.

Also, the cheapest prices seem to be from international sellers, so that's who I'm thinking of buying from. Is this any different than buying from someone in the states?

Thanks for any help, in advance!

i've been wondering the same thing, as i have wanted to buy some games off eBay. all i know is that games from Hong Kong tend to be fake.

i've been wondering the same thing, as i have wanted to buy some games off eBay. all i know is that games from Hong Kong tend to be fake.

nZiFFLe

As far as buying games on ebay, here are some tips for you.(I posted this in a previous post but here it is for you to consider)

1. If you are buying an 'english' speaking game(ex. GTA Chinatown Wars) from a country that doesn't have English as their first language (ex. Hong Kong, China) then it should immediately raise a red flag. Games translated to english will not be sold in other countries if english isn't their first language. Can they import them? Sure. Would you think they'd import them and spend money on shipping costs, just to turn around and sell a legit copy back to someone in another country for cheap? Not a chance.

2. Don't buy a game with a stock photo. If you are curious you can always email the seller to ask them to post a photo. If they refuse or don't answer you then they either don't care or are selling something they shouldn't be. We live in a world now full of cameras. Digital cameras, key-chain cameras, cellphone cameras, and even cameras on video game systems. There is NO reason they shouldn't be able to post a picture, especially when someone asks. If they don't, they don't deserve your money. Make sure to compare any photos they give you to others online...check for differences to images that are sold on store websites. Are pictures different? Are fonts different? Are things in different spots on the case artwork? If you are unsure you can even ask for close-up pics of the actual game cartridge, both front and back.

3. Ask questions if you are unsure. Any seller worth dealing with on ebay will communicate and answer ALL questions clearly.

4. Read their feedback. If they happen to have negative or neutral feedback, go through their feedback profile until you find them and read them. Don't just skim through feedback.

5. If they price seems too good to be true it probably is. This is just common sense.

Best avoid buying from people in Hong Kong. I did some reading on it and Hong Kong users tend to sell many fake games.

SiK99 pretty much nailed it. A useful tool for evaluating feedback is toolhaus.org. Enter the seller's ID and you can view just the negative and neutral feedbacks.

There's also a quickie way to view negs/neuts on the main ebay.com site. When you're viewing the seller's feedback page, go up to the address bar and insert .au after .com. So, instead of:

http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/...

make it:

http://feedback.ebay.com.au/ws/...

The numbers in the recent feedback ratings grid will become clickable links.

I want to buy a DS game from eBay, but I've heard some stories about games being fake and not working when bought from there. And I've never bought anything from eBay, so I'm not sure.

Also, the cheapest prices seem to be from international sellers, so that's who I'm thinking of buying from. Is this any different than buying from someone in the states?

Thanks for any help, in advance!

MorganMonster

I've bought many games from ebay...No problems... Just make sure the seller has atleast a 98% or better ebay rating...If so, you will be fine. Also, check the seller's return policy to make sure they accept returns if that bothers you. Honestly, afer you type in the product for buying, check the left hand side of the screen and click on the option for only in North America for seller location so that you only see that item for sale in North America only.

Best avoid buying from people in Hong Kong. I did some reading on it and Hong Kong users tend to sell many fake games.

Dr_Snood

i've bought a bunch of stuff off ebay, including some games. basically, look for big time sellers. someone with 15,689 transactions and 99.6% positive feedback most likely isnt going to decide to ruin his business by screwing you with a fake game. i bought jump! ultimate stars from somewhere in asia with no problems. i've even bought games from hong kong with no problems.

I've bought many games from ebay...No problems... Just make sure the seller has atleast a 98% or better ebay rating...If so, you will be fine. Also, check the seller's return policy to make sure they accept returns if that bothers you.specialed

The problem is that a lot of sellers that sell fakes have a good feedback percentage. I think most buyers can't spot the fakes.

Also, if you pay with PayPal it doesn't matter if the seller claims not to take returns. PayPal has pretty strong buyer protection, and will have you return the game for a full refund if you file and win a claim. Don't use that instead of careful research before you buy, but it's a nice backup.

[QUOTE="specialed"]I've bought many games from ebay...No problems... Just make sure the seller has atleast a 98% or better ebay rating...If so, you will be fine. Also, check the seller's return policy to make sure they accept returns if that bothers you.George_M

The problem is that a lot of sellers that sell fakes have a good feedback percentage. I think most buyers can't spot the fakes.

Also, if you pay with PayPal it doesn't matter if the seller claims not to take returns. PayPal has pretty strong buyer protection, and will have you return the game for a full refund if you file and win a claim. Don't use that instead of careful research before you buy, but it's a nice backup.

wait, how do you fake the ratings. i mean, besides making thousands of alt accounts.

[QUOTE="George_M"]The problem is that a lot of sellers that sell fakes have a good feedback percentage. I think most buyers can't spot the fakes.the_wet_mop

wait, how do you fake the ratings. i mean, besides making thousands of alt accounts.

I don't mean their feedback is fake. I mean that a lot of buyers don't realize the game they get is fake and leave positive feedback.

[QUOTE="the_wet_mop"]

[QUOTE="George_M"]The problem is that a lot of sellers that sell fakes have a good feedback percentage. I think most buyers can't spot the fakes.George_M

wait, how do you fake the ratings. i mean, besides making thousands of alt accounts.

I don't mean their feedback is fake. I mean that a lot of buyers don't realize the game they get is fake and leave positive feedback.

ah, ok. i was a little confused.

Bottom line, make sure to buy from a US seller. Handheld_Dude91

That's good advice and will increase your chances of getting a legitimate game a lot, but still check out the seller carefully. The bootleg I got was from a US seller.

[QUOTE="nZiFFLe"]

i've been wondering the same thing, as i have wanted to buy some games off eBay. all i know is that games from Hong Kong tend to be fake.

Dr_Snood

DONT DO IT! I bought Chrono Trigger from someone in Hong Kong and he had good rep and it was a pirated copy i think because i cant get past the first warp point. It sucks because i got it for like $15 and was excited now im down that money and no game. :(

Pokemon Platinum from HONG KONG..Works greatDirtyDozen520

If I was you I'd try to verify it's legitimate. A common problem with fakes is that they occasionally corrupt save data. How are you gonna feel if you fire it up one day and 40+ hours of gameplay are just gone?

If you bought it within the past 3 weeks you still have recourse with PayPal.

Yes but only buy from people who have selled quite a few and have a 90%+ positive feedback

Try Half.com. It is hosted by eBay and shows the cheapest prices mostly from positive sellers. I bought all my PS3 and DS games from there. They all came fast and as described.

I just bought WarioWare Touched off of Ebay. Hopefully I'll have it by the end of this week or next week. I always avoid international sellers and games that only have the stock photo. Plus I look for a really high rep.

I buy most of my games from half.com or amazon marketplace, whichever has the cheapest of the particular game. I have been happy and found great deals with both and I don't have to wait around to see if I won the auction. You can use your ebay account for half.com, and they both have good feedback systems.The_Bunk

[QUOTE="DirtyDozen520"]Pokemon Platinum from HONG KONG..Works greatGeorge_M

If I was you I'd try to verify it's legitimate. A common problem with fakes is that they occasionally corrupt save data. How are you gonna feel if you fire it up one day and 40+ hours of gameplay are just gone?

If you bought it within the past 3 weeks you still have recourse with PayPal.

Thanks for the tips, everybody! I'll stay away from Hong Kong!

I only buy from people that have a good rep, because they're normally safe. Dr_Snood

.

It really depends on seller to seller, some are legit & some are scum. The items could be loose, missing or incomplete parts, or just plain broken. You could buy them use, but you maybe taking a risk, I strongly advise buying them unopen & new. But even then the item discription could be false or late, be sure to request a refund within a 30 days if something is amiss. Good luck in your decissions.