Buying Hockey Skates

How to Successfully Purchase Skates on eBay

     When purchasing skates on eBay, there are many aspects to consider.  Before all things, make sure the skates you are buying will fit by looking at not only the title of a listing, but also the description.  Through confirmations with the manufacturer and other websites, information can be obtained on how skates fit in relation to shoe size.

• Mission roller hockey skates are generally measured to shoe size, while their ice skate is 0.5 sizes smaller. (Roller: 10.5 Shoe = 10.5 Skate; Ice: 10.5 Shoe = 10 Skate)

• Bauer, Nike, CCM, Easton, Reebok, and Tour skates are in Canadian sizes, generally meaning they are 1 to 1.5 sizes smaller.  For a tighter fit, 1.5 sizes smaller.  For a more confortable, looser fit, skates should be purchased 1 size smaller than shoe size. (Roller/Ice: 10.5 Shoe = 9-9.5 Skate)

Most people prefer new skates, but some would much rather have skates that have been broken in for them.  However, if the skates are used, be sure to view the description and the pictures to determine whether or not you still want the skates.  If you cannot determine a rough condition of the skates, ask the seller for more pictures or a better description.  Usually, the condition is described near the top of the description.

Below is the screeshot of the Mission Helium 7500 Skates Size 10.5 D  The red box that the arrow is pointing to is the location where the condition of an item is stated.  This is also the lowest priced search result from the next section.

If there are multiple listings of the same item, find the one with the lowest price and seller with the least negative feedback.  Simply look at the listings page, and compare there.  If there are too many of the same item to compare this way, an easy way is to add all the skates you would consider to your watch list, and compare from there.

Below is the screenshot of the Search Results for "Mission 7500" on eBay.  The Red Box highlights the lowest price that was found for Mission Helium 7500 Skates Size 10.5D.

• Buy It Now Items can be good sometimes, but usually have higher prices.
• Items with Reserve Prices do not necessarily mean that you must meet the reserve, as some sellers will still be willing to sell the item to the highest bidder.  Just bid what you think is reasonable, and a compromise can sometimes be made.

Bidding can become a complicated process, as many other people are interested in the same item.  Watch for the first few days of a listing.  When it comes down to the last few days, start bidding.  Don't put down your maximum on your first bid, as that may result in others beating you.  On the last day, watch the auction carefully, and in the last few minutes, place your maximum bid.  This serves double purposes.

• If you are winning at the time, it gives you security in knowing that someone won't try to beat your winning bid by a small margin.
• If you are losing at the time, it will give you a shot at winning the listing.

If your bid does not win, try the other listings!  Good luck!  If you win an auction, remember to be prepared to pay for shipping and handling!