In-Depth Guide to Shopping at eBay
A lot of people are interested in buying things on eBay. There are numerous deals that can be found on the site. Some people haven’t bought anything on the site because they aren’t exactly sure how to do so effectively. This article gives you 10 things you should pay attention to when buying stuff from eBay.
Add Items That You’re Interested in to Your Watch List
eBay has a tab called the watch list. It is located to the right of the price of every item. This feature is nice because it gives you the ability to add an item that you’re interested in to your watch list. Having all of your items in the list allows them to be in one place. It will be easy to purchase them from there when you’re ready.
Always Compare Prices
When you’re looking for an item make sure you check around for different prices. Different sellers may sell items for different prices. The only way you will find out is by searching the listings. Make sure that you look at the shipping price as well. You want to make sure you get the best deal.
Understand What Auction and Buy It Now Means
Most items are sold in auction or buy it now format. An auction is when a seller lists an item and potential buyers bid on it. The person who bids the highest wins the auction. Buy it now is when the seller lists an item for a specific price. If the buyer wants the item, they are agreeing to pay that price. Some items will be listed with both options while others won’t. It’s up to seller to decide how he or she wants to sell them. Again, make sure you research items so that you pay the best amount for them.
Take a Close Look at the Pictures
The next thing that you want to do is view the pictures of the item. Most items should have multiple pictures. If they don’t, feel free to ask the seller to provide some more of them. They should have no problem providing them. There have been stories where a couple of sellers posted other people’s pictures on their listings to try and get top dollar. That’s not cool and it’s false advertising. If something doesn’t seem right, don’t buy!
Read the Entire Post
Make sure that you read the entire post before you buy an item. You may think that you’re buying a new item, but it could be used or new with defects. The item description should tell you all of that information. If the item doesn’t have a good description, stay away from it.
Check the Sellers Feedback Rating
Before you make any purchases, take the time to view the sellers’ feedback. If a seller has a lot of negative or neutral feedback, don’t buy from them. That means the seller isn’t doing something right. You may buy something from them and receive a broken item or something that you didn’t order. As long as a seller’s positive feedback is over 90%, you should be fine.
Beware Scammers
Many people with low positive feedback scores are scammers. Over the years eBay has done a lot to try to eliminate them. If anyone tries to get you to do a transaction offline, it's more than likely a scam. If you buy an item on eBay but never receive it, you will get your money back. If you complete the transaction offline and never receive the item, you’re out of luck.
###Study the Shipping Terms & Refund/Return Policies
When you’re buying something you want to check the terms and policies that the seller has. Some sellers offer same-day shipping. Others ship within a day or two. You also want to check the refund and return policies as well. Some sellers offer refunds and accept returns, while others don’t. Depending on the item, it may or may not be that big of a deal. Regardless, it’s always good to know what the policies are.
Pay Attention to the Payment Method
PayPal is the most efficient way to pay for your items. Don't buy the item if a seller wants you to pay for it with a money order. PayPal is insured and you also have purchase protection if something goes wrong with your transaction.
Ask Questions
If you have a question about items that you’re interested in don’t hesitate to ask the seller a question. Good sellers are there to help you. Heck, they want your business. Most of them will answer your questions in ample time.
This guide was written by Jason Butler from The Butler Journal
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