Getting Started: A Rookie's Guide to Buying on eBay
So you've finally decided to join in on one of the biggest phenomenons on the internet: buying on eBay. You're tired of paying full blown retail prices, or you want to buy something that you've had no luck finding in conventional "brick and mortar" stores. Chances are you will find just about anything on eBay, from the conventional product to the hard-to-find items of the past.
But before you place your first bid, here are few things to keep in mind when deciding to pull the trigger and enter an auction.
- Set up a PayPal account. PayPal is the universally accepted method of buying and selling goods on the internet, and eBay is no exception. PayPal automatically insures all transactions up to $2000. There are several different types of PayPal accounts which have insurance rates up to $2000.00 PayPal accounts will allow you to easily track your payments, and can also intervene in the event that you have a dispute with the seller. It doesn't hurt to have a payment method that will help if there is a problem just in case. Simply log on to PayPal.com and follow the instructions.
- The old adage still rings true. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Beware of merchants who tout new, name brand items at a fraction of what you might normally expect. I once bid on a Tag Heuer watch for $100.00 dollars and won the bid. These watches usually sell for ten times that amount. What I ended up getting was a knock-off made in China that burns through one battery every month and was last seen at the bottom of my sock drawer.
- Always read the merchant feedback. Buyers will always provide candid feedback on their past buying experiences with the merchant. You can also email the merchant with any questions you may have. If you see anything negative, move on. Chances are there is another merchant offering the same product.
- Beware of "Contact Me" offers before you bid. A merchant may try to get you to pay him directly without using PayPal. They will offer you a discount off of the prevailing bid if you provide a different method of payment. You will have no way of tracking the merchant in the event of a dispute and eBay will have no way monitoring the transaction: which is why it's so important to set up that PayPal account before you begin!
- Pay attention to shipping costs. Some merchants try to increase their profit with high shipping costs that come out of your pocket. Sometimes this happens with low cost items. Something could be wrong if you are paying two or three times your purchase cost in shipping.
- Read the fine print. When you click on the headline for the 50 inch Flat Screen TV, does the product description say that it's 30 inches? Make absolutely sure that you are getting what is advertised.
Shopping on eBay is fun and can save you a lot of money. If you do your research and watch out for some of the pitfalls, you will have a better shopping experience than any mall can provide.
Happy Hunting!
Find anything you want on eBay. Register for eBay today to get started!