Q: Are you professional eBay sellers?

A: Yes and no. We are professional Mac & IT consultants first and foremost, and happen to sell some items on eBay as well. We specialize in primarily technology items, and because of our business, we provide complete and compelling support for what we sell (unlike many eBay power sellers who simply buy & sell with no knowledge of their products beyond what they find on the packaging).

Q: I really wanted something, but my bid/other's bidding on the item never hit the reserve amount. Is there some way that I can still get the item even though it never hit the reserve amount?

Q: I keep seeing you put something up for auction and then it closed within a day. Then I see it again under a new auction number. What's the deal?

A: It's simple: the "Buy It Now" price is attractive enough to people that it never makes it to the end of the seven day auction period. Various people are buying it (the item) immediately using the "Buy It Now" option. Then I am listing another of the same item a short time later (the reason the new listing has a different auction number). For certain items, my "Buy It Now" price is so low that I sell one of the item almost every single day, so real bidding never occurs.
  If you want one of these items that is moving quickly, you have two choices: (a) you can pray that no one else will decide to "Buy It Now" before the end of the auction draws close, or (b) you can do what they are doing and click the "Buy It Now" icon. Note that there is nothing which I sell which has an unlimited quantity available, so any given item may be the last or only one of it's type I am selling.

Q: I want the item you are selling -- right now. Can you end the bidding early?

A: If the item has a "Buy It Now" button in the item description, you can click that button to buy it now, end the bidding process and get the product immediately. If the item does not have a "Buy It Now" button, contact me here and see if I have another of the same item to sell you at the original "Buy It Now" price.
 
NOTE I will never yank an item out of bidding in violation of the rules of eBay, and I will never substitute another item for the item described (no bait and switch).

Q: I'm concerned because I received email from you... Do you buy/sell email addresses, and why this mailing?

Q: Is the "Reserve Amount" the same as the "Buy It Now" amount for your auctions?

A: No. I generally set the reserve just high enough to insure that I break even on a transaction (or almost break even, or the amount I can get for it wholesale), and I set the Buy It Now amount to either double that or to 20% - 50% less than retail value for new items. So, general rule of thumb: if the Buy It Now price is $50.00, and if there is a reserve, then the reserve is probably around $25.

Q: How accurate are your descriptions and what are your categories of functionality/wear/usage?

A: We pride ourselves that our descriptions are extremely extensive and absolutely correct. If a description isn't correct, we will stop an auction in progress to prevent misleading anyone. Sometimes, additional information comes up about an item between the time we post the listing and the time the bidding closes (such as additional compatibilities, capabilities); if so, we post that information at our Current Items page (which you can select from the menu on the left side of this page).
 
Our catagories of functionality are as follows:

• New, in sealed box: this item is brand new, and still sealed in the original box.
   
• New, in box: this item is brand new, and still in the original box, but box may not be sealed from the manufacturer.
   
• New, in unsealed box: this item has never been used, but the box has been opened.
   
• New, without box: this item has never been used, except possibly to test it for functionality, but it does not include the original packaging.
   
• Unused, but not in original packaging: this item was brand new some time ago, and has never been used, but is not in the original packaging. I don't consider items that have been sitting around a while "brand new" even though they may have never been used.
   
• Used, fully functional: item is used, significance is that item is fully functional and operates. This is not a comment about it's appearance, and it may be worn/scratched/dinged or in mint condition.
   
• Used, like new, fully functional: item is used, appears to be in the same general condition as it was when brand new (may have very minor scratches/dings/blemishes, or appear mint), and is completely operational.
   
• Not fully functional (see OTHER section): item works to some degree or other, but is not 100% functional as it was when brand new. Normally, the disfunction is specifically listed (Example: OTHER: AM/FM/Cassette Player - AM function does not work).
   
• CAUTION: IN NON WORKING ORDER: Item is non-working. Item may appear mint or horribly mangled, or anywhere in between, but it is not in working order.
   
• New, Packaged CD, did not ship in a box: This item did not originally ship from the manufacturer in a box or packaging other than the CD sleeve or slipcover.
   

• This item is functional and we warrant that it will work upon arrival for 72 hours.
• This item is functional and we warrant that it will work upon arrival for 7 days.
• Item is new and is warranted by original manufacturer.
• Item is used but still under manufacturer's original warrantee.
• Item is sold "as is" with no warrantee. All defects have been disclosed.
• Item is non-functional and we will be happy to guarantee it does not work when it arrives!
• Item is new and media is warranted by original manufacturer (for software and other media).
• Item is unused and freshly pulled from a new unit. Item has original vendor's warrantee.
• Item is unused and freshly pulled from a new unit. Item has a 30/60/90 day warrantee.

Q: What forms of payment do you accept?

A: NOTE: All payments must be made in US Currency (US Dollars, USD$). We accept the following payment forms:
• Personal/Business Checks via Echeck -- via PayPal acceptance [NOTE 1]
• MasterCard -- via PayPal acceptance [NOTE 1]
• VISA -- via PayPal acceptance [NOTE 1]
• Discover -- via PayPal acceptance [NOTE 1]
• American Express personal credit cards -- via PayPal acceptance [NOTE 1]
• Money Orders via mail [NOTE 2]
• Personal Checks/Cheques via mail [NOTE 2]
• Corporate Checks/Cheques via mail [NOTE 2]
• Bank Drafts [NOTE 2]

Q: What is your PayPal acceptance policy?

Q: What do you mean by saying you only ship to confirmed addresses?
Q: I want the package sent somewhere else, or to someone else, how do I do this?

A: Saying we ship only to confirmed addresses means that we go through extra steps to ensure that packages get to their intended destinations, and that there is no fraud or deception involved in the purchase. Specifically, we check American addresses against the United States Postal Service's (USPS's) address database to ensure the address is complete and valid. Canadian addresses get checked against the Canadian equivalent (Poste CA database).
Additionally, it means that if you pay via electronic funds (by credit card, check, bank account or PayPal account), that the shipment will go to the valid billing name and billing address, or to an address that has been approved through original financial institution only. The only ways to get around this are to either (a) add another confirmed address through your financial institution (see next paragraph), or (b) mail us a check or money order (paper funds instead of electronic funds).

Q: How do I change my PayPal Confirmed Address, or add a second PayPal Confirmed Address?

A: PayPal does have methods for changing your confirmed shipping address, as well as adding alternative shipping addresses to your list of destinations, so we can ship to them instead. I know this because I have had clients who have done this. As far as I know, it requires contacting your originating credit card company (or bank for bank-funded PayPal accounts) and instructing them to either (A) change your billing address (for permanent changes), or (B) add valid shipping addresses to your account (such as your work address or vacation address). Then you contact PayPal and add the new shipping address (since PayPal does their address verification through the original credit card agency or bank's records). Once you have done this, a drop-down box appears at the bottom of your PayPal payment screen with all the valid ship to addresses you have listed -- select the address from the list.
NOTE THAT WE DO NOT/CAN NOT SHIP TO NON-PAYPAL CONFIRMED ADDRESSES IF PAYMENT WENT THRU PAYPAL. IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO DEAL WITH THE ABOVE AND WANT THE PACKAGE TO GO TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN YOUR BILLING NAME & ADDRESS, SEND A MONEY ORDER INSTEAD.

Q: What methods do you ship by?

A: We currently ship by the following methods: US Postal System (USPS Mail), US Parcel Post, United Parcel Systems (UPS), and rarely Federal Express (FedEx) & Airborne Express. Depending on the destination, weight, package size, insurance requirements, and other considerations, we select the most appropriate shipping method. You can choose to upgrade your shipping method on a winning bid by contacting me before making payment; a separate amount will be provided to pay for the faster shipping.
   Most low-value small items (under 1 lb, under $24.99) ship via USPS Priority Mail.
Most mid/high-value small items (under 1 lb, over $25) ship via UPS Ground.
All packages over 1 lb normally ship via UPS Ground.
Service to PO Boxes always goes via US Mail, because no one else delivers to PO Boxes.
Service to foreign countries always goes via US Mail, usually Air Mail or International Express.
PLEASE READ SHIPPING REQUIREMENTS IF PAYING VIA PAYPAL
 
NOTE: most items ship the same or next business day payment is received, if you pay by PayPal.

Q: Can I get the product overnight or 2nd Day?

A: You can choose to upgrade your shipping method on a winning bid or "Buy It Now" purchase by contacting me before making payment; a separate amount will be provided to pay for the faster shipping. Note that depending on the size and weight of the package, overnight shipping cost may be prohibitively expensive. Note that in order to help prevent credit card fraud, high-dollar items may not be available for overnight or 2nd Day shipments, strictly at our discretion.
 
NOTE: most items ship the same or next business day payment is received, if you pay by PayPal.

Q: I live or am traveling in the Tampa Bay area. Can I arrange to pick up my purchase?

A: If you are flexible about the time of day to pick-up the package (usually we arrange it between 7 pm and 9pm), yes you may, and we will waive all shipping charges. We are located near the USF Tampa campus. Note that in-state sales require the collection of applicable Florida sales taxes (7.0%).

Q: How do you calculate your Shipping & Handling Fees (S/H)?

A: S&H fees are calculated for each item after it has been packed, and vary with the type of item, size, weight, packaging requirements, and method of delivering it into the shipping system. You could, in theory, break down the S&H fees into three subcategories (although it is never listed that way), as follows:

• Packaging Materials Fees:
     This represents our wholesale cost of box, tape, labels, padded envelopes, peanuts, air pouches, bubble wrap, anti-static envelopes, et cetera. We do not normally reuse other people's used boxes/envelopes, choosing fresh boxes instead to help protect your purchase. We are currently investigating ways to reduce this amount by using alternatives that still provide what we feel is appropriate and desirable packaging qualities. Normally this is between 75 cents and $1.50 of the total S&H fees, although for something like a motorcycle fairing, the price for the oversized box alone can easily reach $15 - $25, and the packing materials can be just as expensive.
   
• Actual Shipping Fees:
     The cost to us from the vendor for shipping your item. Our cost can include invisible surcharges that may not show up for you in a quick rate scan from UPS/FedEx/USPS, such as the following surcharges:
  • fuel & fuel tax surcharges (FedEx/UPS);
  • residential delivery surcharges (FedEx/UPS);
  • driver pick-up fees (FedEx/UPS/USPS);
  • signature release (UPS/USPS);
  • adult signature release (FedEx/UPS/USPS);
  • tracking (USPS); and
  • insurance (UPS & FedEx after first $100/USPS: all) • Oversize Surcharges (All when girth + length exceeds 108")
   
• Time:
     If it is an item that can fit & legally/contractually be dropped into a standard mail box, UPS or FedEx drop box, then there is no time calculated into the fees.
     On the other hand, the post office is a 25-40 minute round-trip with their lines and our travel time; UPS and FedEx are more like to an 60 to 90 minute round-trip (and thus we use pick-up service when justified).
     Additionally, due to new restrictions as a result of September 11th's tragedy, mailing restrictions have changed for USPS, requiring that any item weighing 1lb or more and travelling by priority mail, 1st class mail, parcel post or air mail be delivered in person to a post office employee (post office service counter or pick-up driver). UPS, FedEx and Airborne Express have similar requirements (driver or in person at the service counter).

With all those considerations, we still keep our rates quite low.
And, no, we don't negotiate on our shipping rates; if you don't like them, don't bid.

Q: I live in a country other than the USA. Will you ship there, and what are your procedures concerning import taxes, VAT, etc?

A: We ship to the locations specified in our auctions. Different items may be sold into different markets depending on the nature of the item and our experience in that market. If you area is not listed as a possible destination, you can still win the bidding under the following circumstances: you must pay by money order or cashier's check payable in US Dollars within 7 days of the end of the bidding, and the payment must clear before we ship the item. The cost of shipment varies country by country, and an unique total will be calculated for you.
   As for VAT (Value Added Taxes), import taxes, excise taxes and any other government-imposed fees for shipments outside the USA: all additional fees are solely your responsibility. We will not mark packages as 'gifts', 'presents' or 'samples' to help you avoid paying taxes on the item, nor will we falsely state the actual sales price for purposes of generating lower taxes. We will, however, note if the item is not new (i.e. - used), which may waive or reduce your government's fees.
  If a package is returned from an international destination for failure to pay import taxes or other fees, your money will NOT be refunded and your package will NOT be reshipped.

COUNTRIES WE SHIP TO (with PayPal payments):

• USA
• Anguilla
• Argentina
• Australia
• Austria
• Belgium
• Brazil
• Canada
• Chile
• Costa Rica
• Denmark
• Dominican Republic
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hong Kong
• Iceland
• India
• Ireland
• Israel
• Italy
• Jamaica
• Japan
• Luxembourg
• Mexico
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Portugal
• Singapore
• South Korea
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Taiwan
• United Kingdom
• United States of America (USA)

COUNTRIES WE SHIP TO (Check/Cheque, Money Order):

• All EU Member countries
• All NATO Member countries
• All SEATO Member countries
• All Medeterrainian Islands Countries - i.e. - Cypress, Malta, etc.

If you country is not on the list above, you must prepay by certified money order or certified bank check in order to receive your product. The monetary instrument will have to clear before shipment is released. No Exceptions.
   Additionally, we NEVER ship to the following countries in order to avoid possible problems with US export laws: China, Cuba, Libya, North Korea, Afghanistan, Sudan, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, South Africa, and most central and southern African nations (Kenya, Nigeria, etc), republics of the former Yugoslavia. If you country is currently involved in a war (including civil war), we will also not ship to it.

Q: What happens if I bounce a check to you?

A: First, my bank charges me a $29 fee and sends me the check back marked "insufficient funds." That just pisses me off, real badly, so I don't ship the item (obviously), and instead I follow the steps set out by the laws of the state of Florida:
   Under Florida law, in which this transaction has nexus, you are financially liable for $29 fee or 5% of the total check, whichever is greater, in addition to the amount of the check. I don't have to notify you that your check bounced, but I will and I'll give you 3 business days to FedEx me a money order to cover the check & fees listed above. If you don't comply, I continue with the next step:
   Under Florida law, you are also criminally liable, and we turn the check over to the State Prosecutor's Office if the issue isn't resolved by payment within 3 business days from the time we notify you. After that, it's their problem, but odds are they are going to put out a warrant out for your arrest, and one day, when you get pulled over for a traffic ticket, you'll suddenly find yourself in handcuffs and awaiting extradition to Florida to stand charges (just think about it -- you can visit disney after your 30 days in jail!). Oh, and under the law, you have to pay your own way home after they extradite you.
   Personally, I don't think it's worthwhile to bounce a check to anyone in Florida, so if you think it's going to be a problem, send me a money order instead, or -- if you already mailed the check -- contact me before it arrives and I'll hold or destroy the check instead of depositing it.

Q: What is your return policy?

A: The following rules apply:
 
All sales are final, except as noted below. We do not generally accept returns, except if damaged in shipping and returned on the original shipping ticket (do not sign for the item -- write "Damaged in Shipping: Return to Sender" on the box instead of accepting shipment). If an item is sent back this way, you will receive a full refund or an identical undamaged item (our choice).
 
WARRANTEE ISSUES:

• If our eBay warrantee description said: "Item is new and is warranted by original manufacturer," and the item was not damaged in shipment, contact the original manufacturer for repair/replacement. We will assist you as necessary to accomplish this.
   
• If our eBay warrantee description said: "Item is used but still under manufacturer's original warrantee," and the item was not damaged in shipment, contact the original manufacturer for repair/replacement. We will assist you as necessary to accomplish this.
   
• If our eBay warrantee description said: "Item is sold "as is" with no warrantee. All defects have been disclosed," then you can not return the item for refund or repair, unless a non-disclosed non-cosmetic defect is found. If so, it is up to us whether to accept the return.
   
• If our eBay warrantee description said: "Item is non-functional and we will be happy to guarantee it does not work when it arrives!" then you may return the item if it suddenly works when we promised it wouldn't, but you'd have to be a fool to.
   
• If our eBay warrantee description said: "Item is new and media is warranted by original manufacturer," and the item was not damaged in shipment, contact the original manufacturer for repair/replacement. We will assist you as necessary to accomplish this.
   
• If our eBay warrantee description said: "Item is unused and freshly pulled from a new unit. Item has original vendor's warrantee," and the item was not damaged in shipment, then contact us, and we will make the necessary arrangements to get the item repaired/replaced. If item fails after the first 72 hours following arrival, you will be responsible for paying for any shipping costs affiliated with the return/repair/replacement.
   
• If our eBay warrantee description said: "Item is unused and freshly pulled from a new unit. We warrant it for 30/60/90 days" and the item was not damaged in shipment, then contact us, and we will make the necessary arrangements to get the item repaired/replaced. If item fails after the first 72 hours following arrival, you will be responsible for paying for any shipping costs affiliated with the return/repair/replacement.
   
• If there was no eBay warrantee description, then Caveat Emptor; you can not return the item for warrantee reasons, item was sold as-is. You may still be able to return the item under one of the Dissatisfaction Issues listed below...

• If the item did not match the written eBay description, please contact us immediately with a phone number and a time to call; we will make arrangements to get you straightened out and happy.
   

DISSATISFACTION ISSUES:

• If you are dissatisfied with an item, and/but the item matches the description that was originally posted at eBay, then we MAY -- but we are under no obligation to -- accept the item back. You will need to get our permission to return the item, an RMA number, AND the return is subject to the following terms and conditions:
   
  • You must pay for return shipping at your cost and that cost will not be refunded. Insurance is highly recommended;
     
  • The item must return in the original packaging and box with the original packing materials, bearing the same serial number(s) and contents. If an item returns that is different in any respect from what we sent you, you will not get a refund, nor will the item be returned to you again;
     
  • The item must arrive at our offices within 1 week of the date it originally arrived at your end;
     
  • The refund will be less than you paid for the item, and will specifically be calculated by the following method:
     
    Amount Paid
    Less original S&H Fees;
    Less eBay listing and sales Fees (generally around 10%);
    Less PayPal fees (if item was paid for by credit card or paypal; generally between 3% and 10%, depending on the amount);
    EQUALS
    The Maximum Amount of Refund to be Issued (usually around 75% of the winning bid before S&H fees).
     
    NOTE: You may be better off simply reselling the item on eBay instead.
     

REFUNDS:
 
   All refunds are issued by our choice of payment method, if refund is approved and all requirements listed above are met. Traditionally, checks/cashier's checks/money orders will be refunded by money order. Credit Card payments may be refunded by money order or by a credit charge to the originating card (our choice). Paypal refunds will be refunded by money order or by a paypal credit charge to the originating paypal account (our choice). Refunds can only be generated to the original account or person that the item was paid for by; if you used someone else's credit card, check, etc., then they will receive the refund amount. Please read all of the above terms and conditions before asking for a refund.