Re: My experience
Dave Mount, NE Minnesota
>Michael--
I've purchased quite a few old tools off of ebay and I'd say 95+% of the time I've gotten what I thought I was buying -- I've only had two cruddy experiences. One was a froe that was listed as having some "chipping" along the edge (picture was miserable) and when I got it, I found it must have been sitting outside for more than 50 years -- that "chipping" was rust pitting up to 1/8" deep (no kidding -- it was literally rotten). It's now a yard ornament (SWMBO loves it). The other was a Stanley 48 that had a crack in the fence the seller neglected to mention. I didn't pay enough for either one to be worth sending it back, so I just wrote it off to experience. Some of the people I've purchased from know tools, others were just folks buying things on speculation at estate sales. Overall though, ebay has been a boon to me, because decent tools are a rarity at sales up this way, and I'd rather spend my time using tools than hunting for them. I can find most anything I want on Ebay, whenever I want it (more or less).
No affiliations, but on ebay, I've bought from several tool sellers who I think tend to have decent tools, know enough about them to set your expectations where they should be, and complete the deal in a businesslike way. "robwrs" tends to have good user tools that are properly described. Someone on this forum sells a lot under the name "mrsdeadhorse" (I'll let him ID himself if he chooses to). "eoriordan" and "dumpstercollectibles" are two other old tool specialists I've purchased from and felt good about. I'd suggest cruising the listings and when you see a listing that seems to be written by someone that knows what they're talking about, check to see how many items they've sold, and if it's a fair number, then save them as a favorite seller and check out their other items. There are lots of stories here about ebay deals gone south, but in my experience, the vast majority end up positive. I've also found that the prices I've paid on ebay have generally been below the prices I see as retail listing from most internet tool dealers selling directly. Of course, if they go very high (relative to value), I don't buy.
If you're not into sharpening your own handsaws, that may be a place where it pays to buy from a known seller who refurbs the saws.
Bottom line, I don't think it's a problem buying old tools over the web.
Best,
Dave