Consumer electronics is one of the broadest categories in ebay.  Strictly speaking, this category should overlap with many other key categories, like computer & networking and cell phones.  Just to name a few popular & big subcategories, it mainly covers (1) computers & its related accessories, (2) cd and dvd players & its related accessories, (3) ipod & its related accessories, (4) cell phones & its related accessories, (5) Home applicances & its related accessories, (6) car accessories, (7) home audio & video, (8) digital cameras & its related accessories, (9) gadgets and other electronics and (10) vintage electronics, etc.

If you will be buying items falling into these categories, this will be the MUST-READ guide for you.   This guide covers key aspects which applies to all those categories.

Read this before you buy in ebay!  Vote me too so as to support & encourage me to write more buyer guides in the future.

To be a smart buyer in the area of consumer electronics, you need to focus on the following areas.

(1) The Basics

• Feedback Rating of the seller (unlike other categories, you should expect the sellers to have higher ebay feedback rating than those in the other categories)  Of course, the universal rule always applies here.  That is, the higher feedback rating, the more reliable the seller it.  I would recommend you look for sellers who got over 96.5% or more (this is an average score of a good seller)  Lower than that, you should be very careful before you commit to buy from such low-rating seller.
• The Detailed Content of the positive feedbacks.  Do some more homework before you buy.  Don't just look at the feedback% but also what his/her buyers say about the seller's service.  For example, if you want speedy delivery service on top of the product quality, the seller(s) who got good recognition of fast and safe delivery and of high quality product is the one you should choose among all the sellers.

(2) The Description of The Listing

• Read the listing description carefully and ask yourself few key questions(before you make the purchase) like:
• Is the product a counterfeit or is it infringing others' copyright?  All such items are too risky to buy because it is hard for such seller to provide long-term product waranty and after-sales service and no guarantee on product quality!
• Note the country of origin and from where it is sent.   If the country of origin is not clearly stated and the product is sent from developing countries, it is likely to be risky to buy.
• It is safer if the seller has cleary stated that the item is an OEM product and the seller mentions in the listing description that he/she guarantees that it is not a counterfeit nor infringing any third party's copyright.

(3) Accessories Included

• Good seller will clearly state what accessories are included in the deal.  Don't be misled by seller who claims that the mini headphone or USB cable is an additional free gift for the purchase of a DVD player or a set of mini speakers.  Most of the accessories like, cables, headphone, cover bag and adapter is standard FREE items in a normal pack of consumer electronics.  Check the standard package in those offline store and will know what should be included and what is the actual FREE bonus item from ebay sellers.

(4) Plugs, socket & Voltages

• Many buyers do not pay enough attention on what type of plug, socket and voltage an electronic item is using.  On the other hand, ebay sellers seldomly clarify nor clearly state what plug and socket the item he/she sells is to be provided.    Actually, type of plugs varies a lot on different countries.  For example, euro plug is CEE7 2 pin and UK plug is 3 pin.  Same applies to socket and voltage.  Some countries use 110V and others use 220V.  Buying an item without clarifying such details will make your purchase a painful experience as the item you purchase may eventually not work in your country(or you need to spend additional money to buy an adapter or plug)
• A good seller should disclose all the detailed technical specifications of the item he/she is selling.  That includes what plug, socket & voltages is included in the deal and what exact plug, socket & voltages is needed for the item.   If he/she does not describe the details, the transaction will either be either a trap to the buyer or the seller himself is incompetent to understand and sell such item!
• Few good sellers I have good experience with are good at providing excellent adapters which fits for many countries.  For example, 110-240V autoconvertable adaptor and multi-plugs and sockets along with the main item.

(5) Product Waranty

• Majority of items on sales in ebay does not provide all-rounded product waranty.  However, some good ebay sellers provide at least few-months to one-year limited product waranty.  That is the type of seller you should be looking for.

(6) Shipping Options & Insurance

• Always look for sellers which provides you options on shipping & insurance arrangements.
• Many sellers provide low bid price or low buy-it-now price to attract buyers but charge a lot on shipping.  Beware of that and be a smart buyer!
• Read carefully every single details of the shipping and insurance arrangements.  Go for sellers who lists out every details and don't feel hard to ask the seller about the shipping options and details via ebay's message system.

(7) Return & Refund

• A good seller should think long-term and will provide a set of reasonable return and refund policy.
• Depending on the item you buy, a good seller should always list out their return & refund policy clearly in the listing.

To help you and your friends being a smart buyer in ebay, please spread this message out to them so that you can join me to help more first-time buyers out there.  As a support to me and my work, please vote me as a helpful guide too!  Thanks in advance for your support.

Peggyseven