How to win an eBAY auction

eBAY is a great tool for finding a deal on a particular item, or tracking down a long lost favorite collectible, but the tough part sometimes is not just finding the item, but winning it. Here are some tips to help a beginner win it!

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Access to the internet.
• An account on eBAY.

1. Register on eBAY with an account (username and password) if you do not already have one. You cannot log on to bid on an item without it!

2. Search for what you are looking for by category, be it antiques or an item of clothing.

3. Once you find the listings for your category of item, spend some time scrolling through the choices. Sometimes there is a cheaper one or one in better condition that you can find just by flipping through a couple of pages of listings.

4. Be sure you search by "TIME LEFT", not "TIME LISTED". By searching for the items that are ending the quickest, you have a better shot at snatching up an item that time is running out on.

5. Depending on how much time you have left, you can decide to place a bid at this time. If there is a lot of time left on the auction, just put it on your "Watched Items" list. Bidding too early can generate more outside interest and get your item snatched away.

6. Set a reminder for yourself...write a note, put a reminder on your computer calendar...so that you do not miss the end time of the auction. If you keep a close eye over the last 30 minutes of an item's listing, you could grab it!

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure you have a set spending amount for an item. Sometimes at the end of an auction, if you are bidding back and forth, it is easy to get carried away just to win an item.
• Use the Highest Bid amount function when placing your bid. This will set your limit for you and automatically bid higher if someone else is trying for your item. Then you can just pop on at the end of the auction and up your amount if you so desire.

[GreenMomma]

on 7/25/2008 great tips!