BEFORE You Buy on eBay

• Know what you are looking for, including specifics (brand, size, model).

• Check reviews at Epinions, Amazon,  magazine reviews.

• Know what the going price is at eBay completed sales, My Simon, Amazon, Becketts (sports memorabilia), BookFinder (books).

How to Buy on eBay

1.  eBay Learning Center - It's free, it's comprehensive, it's from a reliable source.

2. Get an account. Once you register, you can bid and sell. Otherwise, you can only window shop.

3. Find what you want. Most often, you will run a keyword search, but use the directories to your advantage.

4. Badly listed items sells for less (if you can find them) as do badly described items.

5. My eBay. Keeps track of purchases, sales, bids, watched items.

6. Evaluate. 

   • Check the condition. New, used, refurbished, gray market?

   • Can you be sure it is what you want? You will not be able to complain if item is "as described."

   • How much is shipping? Can you combined shipping? 

   • Check feedback. Ask questions if you are unsure.

7.  Different ways to buy or bid.

   • Watching can be fun.

   • Bit by bit bidding and sniping. Save money, spend time.

   • Set a maximum and walk away.

   • Buy it now - save time, spend money.

   • Best offer - new option.

   • See if there is a reserve. No, you can't find out how much it is.

   • Stores can be cheaper and more reliable.

8. Paying for it.

   • Know what payment forms are allowed before bidding.

   • Money orders can add to the cost of purchase. Checks will delay shipping.

   • Paypal. Secure, private, preferred by many sellers. Transaction fee paid by seller. Owned by eBay.

   • Escrow. More secure for large purchases, but not free.

Located at http://www.mcmillanlibrary.org/programs/ebay.html

Last updated 01/21/2010