How to win an Ebay auction without over paying

We are all out there in search of the biggest steals and deals. The proof is in the sales that stores both brick and mortar and online put out there. They are specially targeted to promote sales to there highest. You can get some steals without breaking your bank by taking small steps before you bid on ebay.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• An ebay account
• Payment method
• Time
• Internet connection

1. Know what you want. We all spend too much money picking up those last few things in the store we really didn’t need. We can be caught up in the same trap online if we go window shopping not really knowing what we are in search of.
2. Once you know what you want find out the retail value. What price is it going for in the local stores around your home? If you can get a great deal online but then end up paying just as much when you add the price of shipping on, why not buy it local and support your community? Check out other websites to see what price it is selling at. Check out the ebay stores. You may be able to “buy it now” for cheaper due to impulse bidding driving the price sky high.
3. Research what previous auctions have closed at. By searching for the product and then selecting “completed listings” on the left and clicking search, this will give you all the auctions that have closed within the last 10 days. Is there a day where all the auctions closed lower then the rest? Is there a seller who does not pick out their title key words very well? Spelling errors can be a great way to cash in. If you watch this for around two weeks it should give you a pretty good idea of what to expect.
4. When you are logged into your ebay account there is an option towards the upper right corner that allows you to “watch” an active auction. By doing this it allows you easy access to the auctions and the ability to bid quickly should the opportunity strike. Watch for those auctions that end in the wee hours of the morning or night on odd days and that have bad key words and sit on them….DON’T BID.
5. You’re not quite done yet. If you bid early it may encourage others to bid. Wait until the last possible minute. I watch it for the last 15 minutes and do not place a bid until the last two minutes of the auction. My success rate has been around 3 weeks to get what I want but I get it for half the cost. I apply close to the same tactics when selling but in reverse. What better way to learn to sell then from a pro.

Tips & Warnings

• Watch and wait is the key to getting a real deal on ebay.
• Some auctions are paypal only. Make sure to set up your account early.
• Paypal purchases offer buyer protection even if the person selling the item has not process for this.
• Sellers put up $.99 auctions to get buyers into their stores. Great way to save as long as you can resist impulse buying other items.
• Always email the seller before the end of the auction with any questions you have.
• If it looks far to good to be true do your homework.