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While the majority of eBay sellers offer unique, quality merchandise at reasonable prices, you need to do your job as a buyer to discover if it's a good deal for you. That is, don't just look at a stock photo, and be dazzled by the lowest price, then click the "Buy it Now" button. Read all the descriptions, and terms of service (TOS) as if you are entering a contract, because, guess what---you are entering a contract. The seller agrees to sell you the item as described, and you agree to pay the winning price plus shipping/handling costs.
Although I appear as a "newbie" on this ID, I have recently started selling on my own. I have worked for a friend, selling his items on eBay for the past 3 years with over 4,500 sales and a 99.8% feedback. He's moving soon, so I decided to sell on my own. I have also been in marketing, GUI interface design, PR, tech pubs, journalist, and artist for the past 20 years. I have also written numerous computer guides over the years.
Research your area of interest. Look at "completed sales" (in the advanced search section) to find an average of how much items have sold for that you are looking for. A photo may not be much help -- especially if it's a stock photo that was added when a seller uploaded a variety of items. If the item(s) matched a UPC or ISBN code, a stock photo may automatically added. This photo may or may not be the condition of the actual item being offered.
Get what you are expecting by using the following tip & techniques:
- don't depend on a single stock photo to make a buying decision -- (ask the seller to upload additional photos of the actual item for sale).
- Read the ENTIRE description; perhaps it's in acceptable condition; maybe the movie is in a foreign language; if you don't read, you are uninformed, and will have a hard time winning your case if you are dissatisfied with your purchase. Don't let the lowest cost be the deciding factor for your purchase--it may cost more than you think; both in terms of frustration, time spend dealing with it, and $$
- review their return policy. Do they offer money back? Store credit? No refunds at all? Find a dealer you are comfortable with. Most sellers will work beyond belief to make you satisfied. How many days after receiving the item do you have to respond to a return? If you go beyond that--you may be out of luck
- Only deal with reputable sellers (at least 98% feedback); check out ALL feedback -- both received and left for others. If the seller has a negative feedback, it's not a deal-breaker. Read what happened, and see how the seller responded. Did seller pack well? Offer insurance? Ship with delivery confirmation? If seller responded, did they do so in a factual, courteous manner to a negative feedback? Any seller that resorts to name-calling in a dispute with a buyer should be avoided at all costs, no matter what their current feedback says.
- Your question should be answered to your satisfaction within 24-48 hours; if you get no response; find another buyer.
- If you are unhappy with your purchase, let your seller know as soon as possible. Don't wait 3 weeks before telling them you are not satisfied. Contact the seller first to work out a mutual solution. Keep records of emails, tracking, PayPal payments, etc. A negative feedback should be the last resort for you. After a negative feedback without prior contact, most sellers in this situation will do only the minimum effort to get eBay/PayPal off their case.
- Know the terms of eBay/PayPal; no matter what a buyer states in their TOS....if it violates or counteracts eBay/PayPal policy it is unenforceable. For example, an unpaid claim cannot be filed against you for at least 7 days. If seller states that you MUST pay within 48 hours of auction close---this is a courtesy that you should respect as a winning bidder. However, it is not eBay policy, per se.
- If your purchase was satisfactory, leave feedback that is positive & accurate; most sellers will return the favor.
If you found this helpful, please click the "YES" button below. Thank you!
Although I appear as a "newbie" on this ID, I have recently started selling on my own. I have worked for a friend, selling his items on eBay for the past 3 years with over 4,500 sales and a 99.8% feedback. He's moving soon, so I decided to sell on my own. I have also been in marketing, GUI interface design, PR, tech pubs, journalist, and artist for the past 20 years. I have also written numerous computer guides over the years.
Research your area of interest. Look at "completed sales" (in the advanced search section) to find an average of how much items have sold for that you are looking for. A photo may not be much help -- especially if it's a stock photo that was added when a seller uploaded a variety of items. If the item(s) matched a UPC or ISBN code, a stock photo may automatically added. This photo may or may not be the condition of the actual item being offered.
Get what you are expecting by using the following tip & techniques:
- don't depend on a single stock photo to make a buying decision -- (ask the seller to upload additional photos of the actual item for sale).
- Read the ENTIRE description; perhaps it's in acceptable condition; maybe the movie is in a foreign language; if you don't read, you are uninformed, and will have a hard time winning your case if you are dissatisfied with your purchase. Don't let the lowest cost be the deciding factor for your purchase--it may cost more than you think; both in terms of frustration, time spend dealing with it, and $$
- review their return policy. Do they offer money back? Store credit? No refunds at all? Find a dealer you are comfortable with. Most sellers will work beyond belief to make you satisfied. How many days after receiving the item do you have to respond to a return? If you go beyond that--you may be out of luck
- Only deal with reputable sellers (at least 98% feedback); check out ALL feedback -- both received and left for others. If the seller has a negative feedback, it's not a deal-breaker. Read what happened, and see how the seller responded. Did seller pack well? Offer insurance? Ship with delivery confirmation? If seller responded, did they do so in a factual, courteous manner to a negative feedback? Any seller that resorts to name-calling in a dispute with a buyer should be avoided at all costs, no matter what their current feedback says.
- Your question should be answered to your satisfaction within 24-48 hours; if you get no response; find another buyer.
- If you are unhappy with your purchase, let your seller know as soon as possible. Don't wait 3 weeks before telling them you are not satisfied. Contact the seller first to work out a mutual solution. Keep records of emails, tracking, PayPal payments, etc. A negative feedback should be the last resort for you. After a negative feedback without prior contact, most sellers in this situation will do only the minimum effort to get eBay/PayPal off their case.
- Know the terms of eBay/PayPal; no matter what a buyer states in their TOS....if it violates or counteracts eBay/PayPal policy it is unenforceable. For example, an unpaid claim cannot be filed against you for at least 7 days. If seller states that you MUST pay within 48 hours of auction close---this is a courtesy that you should respect as a winning bidder. However, it is not eBay policy, per se.
- If your purchase was satisfactory, leave feedback that is positive & accurate; most sellers will return the favor.
If you found this helpful, please click the "YES" button below. Thank you!
Guide created: 12/18/07 (updated 08/20/09)
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