BEFORE You Buy on eBay

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

• Check reviews at Epinions, Amazon or magazine reviews.

• Know what the going price is at completed sales, My Simon, Amazon, Becketts, Curioscape, BookFinder.

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, for a reason.

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? 

   • How much is shipping? Can you combined shipping? 

   • Check feedback. Ask questions.

7.  Different way 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.

   • See if there is a reserve.

   • 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.

   • Escrow. More secure, but not free.

How to sell on eBay

1. Know what you are selling. What model number? How old? What condition? Warranty? Return policy?

2. Auction or set price? Reserve? Display options.

3. Enter details

   • Everything that will help the buyer.

   • Copy from manufacturer's site or have eBay fill it out for you.

   • Photo (one free). Note if it is a stock photo.

   • Payment options, such as Paypal, money order, check.

   • Shipping and handling. Insurance.

   • Shipping restrictions.

   • Set a start / end time.

   • Every option costs you but may make the sale.

4. Set a reasonable price. Check completed sales. Relisting takes time=money.

5. Preview listing and fee.

6. Be prepared to answer questions.

Be Aware of Other Sites

• Amazon and other sites that let you sell.

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

Last updated 04/16/2008