Friday, December 7, 2012

Buying Items On eBay


Before buying anything on eBay, here are a few simple things to be aware of:

1. Check Feedback score

2. Check Postage details

3. 'Auctions Only' Tab

4. Saved Searches

The feedback score is a gauge of how frequent a person uses eBay and how satisfied his customers are.

It is a risk buying from somebody who has a score say below 30 as this person hasn't had much eBay experience and doesn't know the eBay etiquette and protocols.

If the item you want to buy is of low value, this is less of an issue. You have less to lose if the item is not as described, or goes missing, or you don't get any email response from the seller when prompted with a question.

If the item you want is available from more than one person or supplier, then this first step of checking feedback is probably the best bet to decide who to buy from.

Other considerations are where the item is coming from:

The postage details give you a wealth of information. Where the item is located - can you easily go and pick it up if it is a large or heavy item?

If the item is in Land's End and you are in Scotland or abroad, then you will want it to be carefully wrapped and you may require some tracking information especially if it has cost a lot to buy. The buyer decides how the item is going to be posted, so you may not have a choice, although a postage suggestion to the buyer can always be made via email.

The days when most eBay sellers made a profit on charging ridiculous postage charges are gone, but check the charges against the cost of the item and decide whether it is worth it to buy, as another listing may include or have lower postage costs

Always remember that clicking on the 'Auctions only' tab at the top of the listing tends to remove all the traders selling new stuff. This is for those of us who want to browse at what used items other people are selling, a bit like a proper auction.

If you are not in a hurry, you can always wait until a particular item becomes available on eBay by using the 'save search' feature where you will be emailed as new listings matching your search come up. (The 'Save search' link is right at the top, on the same line as your search description).

These days, it is a buyers' market on eBay and you can really get some bargains, but be careful!

Auction Storage Units and How They Work   Best Tips on How to Use eBay to Make Money Online   What Are Some Good Ways To Make Money On eBay?   Four eBay Money Making Ideas   More People Are Now Shopping At Online Auction Sites   



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