1. Have
you read the entire description? Reading it
out aloud to yourself sometimes helps you to be sure
you understand everything. It sounds a little silly,
but it does help, and I do it often. Small details
can be easily missed by the most experienced ebayer.
2. Are
there any questions you'd like to ask? What is shipping
to my zip? What does "fair" condition actually mean
here? Are there any rips, tears, holes, cracks, chips?
Click on the "ask seller a question" link on the auction
page and wait for a reply from the seller.
Don't bid till you get a satisfactory reply.
If you bid now, you will have agreed to everything
the seller has written and not written on that
auction page
3. Let's
now research our seller. Click on the number after
their name. How many transactions? How many positives,
neutral, negatives? What percentage of negatives to
positives? Click on "see feedback left for others"
What sort of feedback does your seller leave for others?
Are the negatives rude, abusive and retailatory? Or
are they professional, factual and "ring" of the truth?
Now check
the negs he has received. Do that by clicking on his
feedback number and then clicking on "Feedback left
about others" Are they for slow shipping? Or are they
for serious accusations like fraud? Or are they simply
retaliatory for the neg the seller left? Cross check
to be sure. There's a big difference you know.
4. So far
so good? Now what is the retail value of this item?
Is it available currently in stores? On the Internet?
Yes? Then go and do a few minutes research. Call stores,
do a Google search. Find out a solid retail value
for the item. If it's a collectible check its book
price, although that may mean very little in the world
of ebay. Book prices have changed drastically since
ebay was born.
5. What
do past ebay bidders think it's worth? Search the
item and then click on the link on the page that says
"completed items" You'll find that to the left of
the list in a box saying "show only..." You'll see
what like items have sold for in the past 10 days
on ebay. That's the price that is probably going to
be most relevant to you.
6. Are
there more available on ebay? Go back and look at
that search you did. Are there some with a great Buy
It Now price? (hint: check the newly listed link)
Are the some priced better than the one at which you
currently are looking? Then click on "watch this item"
and put them all on your "my ebay" watch list. You
can track the progress of all the like auctions during
the coming week.
7. You
haven't placed that bid yet have you? Good. You're
learning. Be patient. There is no benefit whatsoever
to being in the lead at anytime in a 7 days auction
except at the end.
8. Are
you happy with the choice you have made? Is this the
best item and the best seller you have found at the
best current price? Have you worked out your TRUE
max bid based on your research and factored in shipping
costs? GOOD! Then place your bid. One big proxy bid
as ebay recommends. Be sure it's your max so you won't
be disappointed if you get outbid.
9 You won?
Well good for you! You found a good seller, a good
item and a good price and now it's time to be a good
buyer. A successful transaction requires two people
working at their best. Email your seller even if you
haven't heard from them yet. Ask for a total and tell
them how you intend to pay when they give you the
total. Be polite in your emails. Ask them to please
confirm when your funds arrive and let you know when
they will ship. If asked, most sellers will comply
with that.
10. Pay
promptly and wait for your item. Be a little patient.
If you paid by personal check remember your item will
probably be held for about 10 days while your check
clears. If your item is being sent media mail it can
take up to 2 weeks to arrive. If you do become concerned
about a delay, email and politely enquire as to the
status of the shipment. Try not to email too often
or the seller may get the feeling they are being harassed.
When it arrives, inspect it, email the seller to thank
them and leave feedback for them.
