eBay is great for bring online buyers and sellers together. But a perfect purchase or satisfying sale is far-from an effortless endeavor. Every transaction is a collaborative effort with controllable factors that can mean the difference between a positive or negative experience.

This guide consists of a few simple suggestions that buyers and sellers should always keep in mind to help increase the likelihood of a regret-free transaction.

Buying without regret

Don't overspend!

Nothing ruins a victory more than overspending.
It’s easy to get caught-up in a bidding war or make an impulse purchase. Buyers need to establish a maximum price limit and avoid exceeding this limit under any circumstance. When using eBay to buy an item that can otherwise be purchased at a local retail outlet, variables such as shipping and (when applicable) tax fees should always be factored into a buyer’s maximum price limit. If local vendor comparison-pricing is not an option, buyers should be familiar enough with an item to gauge its current market value.

Be conscious of feedback and ask questions!

One of the benchmarks of an experienced seller

I can’t express how important it is to check a seller’s feedback and ask questions before placing a bid.
Feedback is one of the most important tools a buyer has at his/her disposal to assist in making informed assumptions about a seller’s credibility. And the way a seller answers (or doesn’t answer) a question can provide a buyer even more insight into the seller’s character.
Asking questions should also give a buyer more information about an item and assist with the bidding, decision-making process.

Be attentive of description details!
Buyers need to always be attentive to a seller’s description of an item. But just as important as what’s included in a description, is what’s omitted. It’s important to be keenly aware of what’s not mentioned in a description. And if there is any doubt... never hesitate to ask questions.

Avoid Forgetting/Missing End Dates- Bid Early!

There truly is no excuse for missing an auction. eBay has tools in place to allow buyers to keep track of ongoing auctions. Still, it’s not uncommon for a buyer to miss an end date due to last-minute bidding intentions that never come to pass.
Though many buyers hold-off bidding, and hope to win a potential bidding war with a last minute bid that intimidates all competitors into submission, it’s more likely that the only thing a last-minute bidding war will accomplish is regretful overspending.

• Here's something to consider:
  Most buyers use similar information to establish price-limits.
  Brick and mortar store pricing; shipping and handling charges; taxes; previous auction end-prices; all factor into establishing a comfortable maximum price limit. Because savvy buyers always consider these variables, chances are, your bidding competitor has a maximum price limit very similar to yours. As a result, in many cases, an auction will be won- not by the person who places a last-minute, price-busting bid- but by the person who placed the first bid at (or slightly above) the item’s recognized maximum value.
  So do yourself a favor, and bid early!

Exhaust all possible searches!

                              
       X-Men                                                         X men
Note no. of results when searching with or without a hyphen.

Knowing the correct search keywords will provide buyers with the most exhaustive list of options.

Questions: Should you search by a book’s author or title? Should you search by a car’s make or model? Should you search by an action figure’s character name or the group name?
Answer: Any of the Above!

As with any keyword search, words that will bring back the most fitting results are the most appropriate. Buyers should also be sure to check alternate spellings (hyphenations, plurals, etc.) and common misspellings.

Selling without regret

Never sell an item that you’re emotionally attached to!

Will little Susie really miss her favorite stuffed animal?

With eBay, it’s possible for anyone to peddle merchandise to perspective buyers. That sense of euphoria you feel after completing a successful sale can be addicting- especially if the sale nets more money than expected.
But just because it’s possible to sell an item, it doesn’t mean you should take advantage of every selling opportunity. Not every item lying around your house is fair-game for auction! You should always seriously evaluate your emotional attachment (or the attachment of anyone else in your home) to an item before posting it on eBay.  If you do have an attachment to an item, the worst thing you can do is post that item for sale. You’ll be pining for it the moment the item leaves your possession, and you’ll spend hours (and, most likely, more money than you earned from your sale) in pursuit of regaining the item.

Always be available to potential buyers!

Buyers are more likely to purchase from someone who they feel will be attentive to their needs. From the moment an item is posted on eBay, a seller should never let more than a few hours pass between email checks. Attentiveness in answering email is a good indication of a seller’s attentiveness in providing good customer service.
Friendly, complete, and honest answers to emailed questions will always generate positive results. This attention to detail can mean the difference between securing a bid and letting a potential buyer slip through your digital grasp.

Don’t underestimate shipping and handling costs!

Gas prices can noticeably impact your profit margin.

The tools eBay has in place to calculate shipping make it possible to offer buyers a fair price for mailing an item. And though handling charges are extremely unpopular, buyers shouldn’t hold it against a seller who factors in a small handling charge for shipping material and gas for the ride to the post office.
Handling charges should never be excessive, and sellers should always explain the charges in the description of their item.

Don’t miss selling opportunities!

The Window of Opportunity

In many cases, there is an important window of opportunity where an item is at its most desirable. During this time, a seller has an opportunity to realize an item’s highest (or a higher than usual) sale price. Increased prominence in the media, seasonal popularity and other factors need to be considered when determining the best time to post an item on eBay. And sellers should have the foresight to post items to coincide with these factors.

Research skills- Essential for Successful Buyers and Sellers!

eBay users should always research before posting an item, placing a bid, or committing to a purchase.
Through research, buyers and sellers can gauge the best price for an item. Research can enlighten a buyer as to what to look for and what questions to ask of sellers. Research can help a seller gauge what type of sale will be the most profitable. Research can help both parties stay alert, while tilting the trading scales in the favor of the most informed.

Good research and adherence to the other suggestions mentioned in this guide will almost assure a transaction free of regret.

Buyers and sellers interested in more detailed eBay tips can search the How-To listings to try to find a book that caters to their particular interests. Feel free to contact me if you have questions.