How to Buy Intelligently on eBay

EBay is one of the most well-known websites on the Internet. In one place, people can buy and sell anything imaginable, including a grilled cheese sandwich with an "image" of the Virgin Mary imprinted in it. Some people fear getting scammed and have not enjoyed the eBay shopping experience, but with just a little knowledge, anyone can be a smart bidder.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Look a for a particular item. Much like shopping at a traditional store, impulse buying can hurt an eBay experience. When you log on to eBay, search for targeted items. Many times, curiosity causes people to look at unplanned things. Much like the dieter who grocery shops hungry, people new to eBay may purchase something they don't want. A purchase that sits and collects dust sends the new eBay shopper into buyer's regret.
2. Compare prices at retail shops and online stores to determine the normal cost for the product. Many times an item that looks like a great deal on eBay can be cheaper at another online retailer such as Amazon.
3. Save items to a watch list. Using the watch list helps prevent impulsive purchases and allows you to monitor the normal ending price on the auctions. This knowledge helps you to become a strategic bidder and avoid getting caught in an online bidding war.
4. Add shipping into the final price of the purchase. Shipping costs are very important. Many eBay sellers underprice items and then add profit into the shipping cost. This can cause new bidders to actually pay more when they believe they are getting a good deal.
5. Read the feedback on the vendor. The feedback section contains comments from previous auction winners about their shopping experience. This is a great indication of how your auction will go. Avoid sellers who have a history of repeated non-deliveries or issues, and look for someone with a better history. Also, be careful when purchasing from new sellers. New sellers can be people who were previously banned from eBay and have opened a new account
6. Ask questions. If you have any questions, ask before you bid to clarify the details. If you are the highest bidder, you are obligated to pay. The bid retraction procedure is not easy. A good seller will get back to you promptly.
7. Use PayPal to pay for your purchase. PayPal is the simplest and most secure way to process your eBay auction. PayPal is a secure website and is free for the auction winner. In addition, it provides proof of payment. If you have a dispute with the seller or don't receive the purchase, use PayPal's online dispute resolution process.