How to Buy a Laptop on eBay

Buying a laptop on eBay can be a scary experience, but you can find incredible deals if you know what to look for. The biggest obstacle is learning to avoid scam artists by finding reputable sellers who will provide top quality products. Here are a few tips to help you buy a laptop safely on eBay.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Register and Research

1. Register as a buyer with eBay. Click the "Register" button located near the top right of the homepage. Follow the prompts to complete your registration.

2. 
   PayPal's homepage

   Open a PayPal account a few weeks before you plan to buy a laptop. Click the "Sign Up" link on the PayPal homepage to open an account. Follow the prompts to complete the application process.

3. Research laptop brands. Know what you want before placing a bid on eBay. Once you know what kind of laptop you're looking for, and how much they cost, you'll be able to recognize a good deal when you see one.

Search for a Laptop

4. 
   Ebay search results

   Browse for laptops. To browse for a laptop, click "Computers and Networking" then "Laptops and Notebooks," found on the left side of the eBay homepage. The page that appears will show all of the laptops that are currently listed on eBay.

5. Narrow your selection. Use the drop down menus in the "PC Laptops Finder" and "Search Options" on the left side of the page to narrow your selection by brand, location and more. Filter the list by clicking the "Sort By" drop down menu located above the laptop listings.

6. Search for a specific laptop model. To search for a specific laptop, enter its name and model number in the "Search" box located at the top of the page.

Bid on a Laptop

7. Evaluate the seller. Before placing a bid on a laptop, evaluate the seller's feedback. The seller should have at least 100 transactions, and have a feedback rating of at least 98 percent. Also, make sure the seller accepts PayPal payments.

8. Ask questions. Ask the seller any questions you may have about the laptop. Make sure you do this a few days before the auction ends to give the seller time to respond. If the seller never responds, do not bid on the laptop. Also, make sure you understand the seller's return policy if they have one.

9. 
   Don't bid too early

   Bid on a laptop. Once you find a laptop you like, wait until 10 to 15 minutes before the auction ends to place your bid. Decide on the maximum amount you are willing to spend (including shipping), then place your bid. The price usually rises quickly the last few minutes of the auction.

Pay for Your Laptop

10. Wait for an email confirmation. If you are the winning bidder, don't pay for your laptop until you receive an email confirmation from the seller. Often sellers have special instructions you must follow to complete the transaction.

11. Complete the transaction. Once you've received an email confirmation from the seller, use your PayPal account to pay for the laptop. The seller will ship your laptop after receiving payment.

12. Leave feedback. Once you receive your new laptop,leave feedback for the seller. If you have a major problem with the laptop, contact the seller.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't bid on more than one laptop at a time if you only plan to buy one. If you win both, you'll have to buy both.
• If you’re outbid on a laptop, wait until the auction ends before placing a bid on another one. If the bidder who outbid you retracts his bid, your bid may become the winning bid.
• Sometimes a seller will try to offer you a "deal" outside of the eBay marketplace. Never accept these offers because doing so will cause you to lose your seller protection through eBay.

Resources

• Ebay
• PayPal