Well it is not just ebay, but even some Australian companies are selling products online in full page ads that do not contain any details. How they ever expect to sell a single one of those items is beyond me. A good example was a thick and large washer I inquired about from a 4WD specialist store. I required one for the swivel joint on a small trailer hitch. The washer is actually one of the company's own branded items, but they could not tell me anything about it. They could not tell me if it was made of steel or brass or composite or plastic. They could not tell me the outside diameter or the thickness. I asked several other companies including big name ones that were stocking this item, but they replied that they just forward their orders on to the company that holds the brand name. So an order is like a "round robin" arrangement with the seller acting as a third party. In short, they know nothing about the item until someone actually orders one. It is not as if it is an exclusive brand name item, like a part for a John Deere tractor. The washers are just generic and made to suit various applications by the general public.
Oddly some of the other companies were offering the washers cheaper than the company holding the brand name, which is a bit difficult to work out!
I ended up having to buy one of the washers just to find out the details.
It is a bit sad when you have to buy an item in order to find out the details. But when it arrived I replied to all the companies including the one holding the brand name with the dimensions, in the hope they can update their ads. Not one of them replied. I'm sure if I check back on their ads in three weeks time they will not have changed.
The washers are steel, 1-3/4" (44.5-45mm) outside diameter, 1" (25.5-26mm) inside diameter, 5/32" (4mm) width. Why couldn't they tell me that basic information?
I truly hate having to purchase an item in order to find out anything about it, but that seems to be becoming more and more common today. Luckily in this case the part fit my requirements perfectly. The company sells lots of other generic bearing, thrust, and gear washers, but it is the same story. Their ads lack any details. I would have thought if you're wanting to sell a product successfully online you should have some idea about what you are selling.
