Are computers bought off Ebay any good?

I went to Ebay.com and I see really good computers with Pentium 4 and Nvidia graphics cards and lots of other stuff. You can buy it for around $500 to $700. I am interested in buying one off Ebay but if these deals are so good how come everyone doesn't do it? Is there a catch? Do these computers end up badly shipped and get damaged? Is it a prank auction? Pls tell me if Ebay.com is good for buying computers.

Also, if anyone has ever bought a comp off Ebay or any auction pls post here and tell me about it. Thx.

Well, getting most stuff of ebay is good. They r in good shape and work well. If u don't get your product, ebay wil pay u back. Another option on getting a computer could be going to a computer show. That is where i got mine for a cheap price. I know there is one by us sometime. But i think ebay is good, safe and you should probably get one of those comps.

My impression is that you will get what you pay for. Most of the stuff shown are "loss leader" items meant to get you to their site. I think all of the angles you mentioned are likely.

If you really know what you are getting and are comfortable with your abilities, go for it.

What are "loss leader" items. Also if items purchased off can be damaged how come there hasn't been a lot of complaints to Ebay. i haven't heard on the news about Ebay being frauds and stuff. Has anyone won an auction on Ebay here and actually gotten something? Pls post here and write about it pls.

I bought a Dell monitor on eBay. It was from a company in Texas that sells "re-claimed rental" computers, ( I did not know this until I received the monitor), but they did have a website that you could go look at other stuff they sell, other than auctions stuff. I was going to get you the information on my"purchased" items from eBay ... but they only store them for 30 days ... so no such luck. Winning bid on the monitor was $50.00 + $20.00 for shipping to California

Only problem that I had was ;

1. The power cord did not work - they replaced it .
2. The monitor lasted about 6 months .... then it joined the junk pile.

So bottom answer is what Kdr. Kane said ANDThe Wolf .... you get what you pay for, and it worked for me until I got another one ....... so just send the seller an email and ask all of your questions before bidding, and if there is any kind of guarantee on it, I guess

EOT