I'm sorry but e-bay is the absolute worst guidelines to go by as far as price. There simply is no standard. People sell there worst gear on eBay usually damaged, going out of business, over priced and just simply desperate people and a ton of fraud. IMHO prices are completely irrelevant . The only thing that happens is people use this data as a bargaining chip. Happens to me all the time and I tell them goodbye every time on a sale. Fred fair warning your going to get your *** burned at some point with eBay I can promise you this. Your money but when a brick shows up don't come crying. I would not spend over a grand on eBay anymore it's gotten that bad. Yes at one time it was pretty safe. It's just too risky now. Not saying there are always bad buyers and sellers but there is always a crook lurking. Sorry as a forum owner and someone that's been on Internet , forums and such I just seen some bad stuff happen. Believe me I get a lot if emails for advice on this stuff. Buy from people you know have good feedback or see a dealer. Especially dealing at this level of systems. There are complete legit sellers too but you don't always know who they are. I just can't recommend it myself given I am co-owner of this place it's too much of a trust factor I can't count on giving people good advice on what to buy and where. I will always side on a safe place or person to buy from. I get PMs all the time of our members asking about other members here. So I say this with some experience.
I disagree. Just buy from sellers with 100% positive feedback that offer the right return policy. If you buy from sellers with good feedback you automatically get ebay protection.
As far as ebay being representative of prices on the market it is very representative. The items I referred to were all completed sales that also received 5 star feedback.
You can also buy locally through ebay. Just search with your local zip code.
You can often see the items in person and still complete the transaction through ebay.
eBay is a multi billion dollar company because it works.
Going back to ebay being a good way to establish used market prices.
I have at times bought gear from stores or locals and used completed listing prices to get the fair price on an item. Because eBay reaches the whole nation you get a more accurate sampling of the market.
I have had to make 2 ebay returns. Both went through no problem at all. Pay Pal even returns fees on refunds.