For some reason, even though I've done it quite a few times, I tend get a little apprehensive when it comes to buying a pedal on ebay. Despite the seller having 100% feedback, and the pedal appearing to be in great condition (and the seller's description saying it's in excellent condition), I can't help but feel as if the pedal won't sound as good as it would if I had bought it brand new.
Is there any substantiality to my concern, or am I just worrying for no reason?

__________________
Check out my music: http://www.youtube.com/tgo5v

All feedback is appreciated!

I generally think of pedals as being the safest things to buy on ebay... especially analogue pedals. Really complex things like the Eventide pedals might be trickier but if you buy a Rat or something online there's very little that can go wrong with it that can't be fixed. Well I think anyway

__________________
Crustaceo ergo sum

Me too. Never had any problems with eBay, and GG is usually safe to the point I've traded a pedal with a member from Canada--I'm in Brazil. Some people have been scammed, mind you (I remember a story about a bottle of Pepto-Bismol or something), but most active members are great.

__________________
crew

Selling BOSS FW-3. I live in Brazil, mind you, so prepare yourself for $30-ish for shipping and waiting. Local pickup available, along with beautiful beaches and cheap bitches.

As long as you know what you want you'll be able to decide on whether the pic/descriptions are accurate. Ebay has so many customer protection measures in place it's a relatively safe way to buy stuff. I've only bought a guitar off there once and wouldn't do it again...the axe in question turned out to be exactly what I was looking for, but otherwise I'd try one out before buying it.

The only 'bad' Ebay pedal experience I had was a PS-2 which didn't self-oscillate. Which was my own fault for not reading around and finding out that later models in the production run were modded at the factory...I sold it on and asked the seller of the next one I found listed about it.

Overall then I'd say pedals are ok on Ebay. The only thing is, you *might* be able to get something cheaper from a private sale but Ebay's great for convenience; if something's available to buy, it'll be on there.

__________________
Guitar rig: CIJ Fender Jazzmaster/CIJ Fender Mustang -> TU-3 -> RV-5 -> OD-3 -> Magnetic Effects White Atom -> custom IC Muff -> PS-2 -> DD-3 -> Small Clone chorus -> RE-20 -> LS-2 -> Fender '65 DRRI & Mesa/Boogie F-50

Bass rig: Fender MIM Jazz Bass -> TU-2 -> RAT 2 -> Sansamp BDDI -> RV-3

"...So now you know the true secret to great tone: all the espresso you can handle."

Pedals are cheap enough to buy and sell, one of the few things you'll always see exchange many hands. Ebay is awesome to be honest, it beats having to travel far to get what you're looking for. There shouldn't be much worry, as long as the seller has had good transactions before.

And new? !@#$ that! Why buy a brand new pedal and wait for the manufacturer to send you a replacement when it fails? If all fails, grab a souldering iron and HAVE FUN! Plus, it's prebeaten, and second hand are like getting women, they've already gone through the bitchin' and asking you to call!

__________________
ESP Eclipse Limited (3/100) or Gibson Les Paul Standard (97) - Fulltone OCD - H.B.E. Detox EQ - Laney GH50L - 80's Ibanez AD-9 (in loop) - Randall XL 4x12
Tortex "The wedge" picks, Blue Steel strings, Line 6 Moble In, Charvel Model 6 modded to a Model 5FX.... Probly other stuff as well