How you can get ripped off when buying.

True story this so it pays to do your homework first.
My digital control box (Potterton) for the central heating went on the blink. The info displayed on the face faded away. I went on to some forums in search of the reason. I came across the same problem on one and the answer was that the battery needed replacing, (I didn't know it even had a battery).
I hooked out the battery and went to ebay and purchased 3 at £0.90 each.
Not knowing how long they would take to arrive, because the chap emailed saying that he was due out on holiday but would try to post straight away, I called into a plumbing shop on our industrial estate. I said to the bloke 'Would you have a varta 3.5 battery in stock' he said what for central heating.' Yes was my reply. He came out from the back with a poly bag containg the said battery and started tapping on the computer. ' With VAT that will be £9.75'. I told him in no uncertain terms to stick it up his whatsit. I said to him that I'd bought 3 at £0.90 each on ebay. He says yes you probably can on the internet - but this has got potterton written on it. I walked out laughing my head off because I think that he was serious.

your so right,there are great savings on ebay and i've even managed to get things that the manufacture can't supply me with. next day delivery in most cases and at a fraction of the cost

Very true.
lts a well known fact that 99% of shoppers with an internet connection will search eBay if only for price comparison and l don't blame em!

l recently priced up one of those pet hair friendly Vax hoovers - £160 in some stores.....jumped for joy when l got one off of eBay for £12.01 plus £10 delivery!!!!

Ok so it was not in original box but it was still brand new/sealed with full warranty and info. And delivered within 48 hours!!