I think this might be the same thing for $599 and free shipping.

I would compare the two to see if they are the same hood. As far as the ebay seller, he has some impressive feedback, I could only find 3 neutrals and no negatives in 7 years on ebay. The neutrals seemed to come from amateurs. As for the hood, it sounds like it is designed to fit into a 36" wooden chimney. My guess, at that price, is that it is going to be a Chinese commodity. That isn't necessarily a game-breaker, but I would not be surprised to find that the item is a little rough around the edges when you get it. Fortunately, it will all be residing inside a hood of your own construction with only the underside visible, if I understand your intent correctly.

Best of luck with whatever you decide. Perhaps someone who actually owns one of these will see this and chime in.

>I could only find 3 neutrals and no negatives in 7 years on ebay.

Are you not aware of ebay's policy on this? If a customer gives you negative feedback, you then give the customer negative feedback and demand arbitration. Ebay removes both complaints under their policy of not taking sides. 100% positive feedback actually means very little. (Not that I know anything one way or the other about this particular dealer; just saying feedback ratings have been totally meaningless for several years now.)

Writersblock - actually eBay changed its policy a year or two ago. Sellers cannot give negative feedback at all, no matter what the Buyer has done (i.e. not paid), or what kind of feedback the Buyer has left for the Seller. Furthermore, prior to this change, if, as you mentioned, eBay removed both feedbacks at the request of both parties (both parties had to agree to the feedback removal), the Feedback score would clearly state the number of feedbacks that "were mutually withdrawn". If you saw more than, say, "2 mutually withdrawn", you would know that the Seller was prone to giving retaliatory feedback, and that there is likely a problem with the seller even with a 100% score.

Sorry to go OT, but Writersblock was misleading. Where eBay feedback ratings are meaningless now is pertaining to Buyers, since Sellers are prohibited from giving negative feedback. I have to agree that the eBay seller that Busybme linked above looks to have an impressive feedback history. Furthermore, I like that the Seller has provided a direct phone number, which so many eBay sellers do not. The OP can call the Seller, and see what the person says.

Ebay hasn't allowed sellers to post retaliatory feedback for almost two years. Sellers can only leave positives, or no feedback, or file a failure to pay claim. And no, I am not aware that every challenge from prior years resulted in conversion to positive feedback; If such a thing were true, there would be no sellers with crap feedback. Such is not the case.

Hypothetically, which seller are you likely to buy from? Someone with 90% or someone with 99-100%?

Thanks for the updated info. I still believe there is a lot of gaming of ratings, just as there is with amazon reviews, so personally, I wouldn't let the difference between 90% and 100% play a huge role, in my own purchases, unless all other considerations were exactly equal.

Yes, mojavean, that appears to be the same product at a better price. Thank you for providing that link! I will check out that vendor and order from them if it all looks good.

I've always had great luck on eBay, not that I am a regular there or anything. My process is to contact the seller and, if they are courteous and prompt in their communication, I feel comfy buying from them. If they take days to get back to me or don't actually answer my questions, I don't. So far, that's worked well for me. : )

Thanks for your input, everyone!

Sandy