It’s important to remember that eBay is like an online flea market or swap meet. There will always be someone trying to sell things that most people won’t touch. The problem is that online, when you can’t physically see the merchandise, these people can be a little harder to spot. Here are some tips to make your eBay experience more enjoyable and secure.
Know your seller…
This is by far the most important research you should do before placing your bid on eBay. Knowing a little about your seller before bidding on your item will make your purchase much easier.
1) Review seller feedback and member profile.
Please check seller’s eBay feedback before bidding. The feedback rating will give you a good idea about the trustworthiness of your trading partner. One or two neutrals or negatives may be overlooked due to the fickle nature of some buyers, however, if a trend of poor service or feedback on item quality is noted, you may want to avoid the seller altogether. If a seller has no feedback or negative feedback, please contact the seller prior to bidding to get an idea of their customer service.
2) Ask the seller questions.
Email the seller with questions by clicking the “Ask seller a question” link. If you’ve won an item, you can request the seller’s contact information for more information.
3) Check the seller’s policies on shipping, payment and returns.
Shipping and Handling: Please review shipping and handling charges prior to bidding, and request that your item be shipped and insured in a traceable manner. Avoid sellers who don’t disclose or charge exorbitant shipping costs.
Payment: Consider paying with PayPal or credit card, as most offer 100% consumer protection. Be careful when sellers only accept one form of payment, especially when the seller asks for cash. NEVER PAY IN CASH and be careful when paying with cash equivalents such as bank transfers.
Returns: Please review the seller’s return policy carefully before bidding. Please contact seller before bidding if you have any questions about return policy. Some questions to ask include how long you have to return the item, who pays for shipping and handling, and under what circumstances can you return the item.
Know your item…
Please read the description completely. Most misunderstandings are caused by buyers not carefully reading the item description in the auction listing. Be careful if the price is significantly lower than similar auction items. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Check the condition of the item, whether it is new or used, and any damage described.
Be realistic when buying used items. People have different definitions of quality and condition. Remember, just because the seller says the item is “like new” doesn’t mean you’ll feel the same way. A 25 year old item is likely to have some wear, so don’t be too critical of the item when you receive it. Please note the condition of the item BEFORE placing your bid.
Use Paypal…
Take advantage of PayPal for fast and secure fund transfers between you and the seller. PayPal is eBay’s preferred method of payment. It is a system that allows anyone with an email address to send payments online securely using their credit card or bank account. eBay members can use PayPal to quickly and easily pay for all items purchased on eBay. PayPal’s industry-leading fraud prevention measures make it a secure way to pay online.
When shopping on eBay, look for items that are covered by PayPal Buyer Protection. With it, you get free protection of up to $1,000.00 USD on your purchases. To determine if your item is eligible, look for PayPal Buyer Protection in the Seller Information box on the View Item page.
The more you know about your seller and the items you are bidding on, the safer you, the buyer, will be. Spending some time researching before placing your bid will help ensure a positive buying experience.
