How To Shop On Ebay

A Newcomer's Guide To Navigating & Shopping Ebay

Have the snappy "IT" commercials finally gotten to you? Have you finally broken down, signed up for Ebay and come to see what it's all about? Terrific!

But how do you shop Ebay to find exactly what you want at the best price available? That depends on what IT is you're looking for and just how fast you want IT to arrive.

Here are some tips for the Ebay newcomer. Have fun shopping!

Searching

Are you in need of a hot Christmas toy or a unique item you just can't see to find in the stores? Using the Ebay search tool is the best way to find what you seek.

Simply type the item you are looking for into the search box. When your results page comes up, look to the left side of the page. This sidebar box will sort the items into categories like clothing, books, DVDs etc. Simply click the link to the category in which your sought after item is listed.

For example: Your grand daughter loves Pokemon and wants some Pokemon items for her birthday. Type the word Pokemon in the search box. Then, on the left, choose from clothing, video games, DVDs, plush, decorations and more.

Searching for clothing should be done in a different manner in order to bring up the gender and size of clothing you need. Go to the Ebay categories and click "clothing and accesories". Follow those links until you get the category in which you'd like to shop.

For example: If you're looking for a new sweater for your college aged nephew. Go into clothing and accessories and then into men's clothing. From there, you can type in "sweater, large" and all relevant auctions will come up.

If you are searching for new items, place the word "new" or "NWT" (new with tags) after the item you seek. Those brand new items will come up in your search results.

Once you have found the listings for the item you want, you can choose how you prefer to view them. At the top, right side of the page, you'll see a drop down list. Here you can choose ending today, ending soon, newly listed, least expensive first and so forth. Simply click your choice and the page will reload with items in that order.

When You Find IT

When you find exactly what you're looking for, click on that auction's link. Here, you are going to find everything you need to know to decide whether or not you want to bid. Read the listing carefully and thoroughly!

• Seller's Information: At the top of the listing, you'll see information about the person or business selling the item. Next to their name is a number and a star. This corresponds to their buying and selling transactions and their feedback score. There will also be a percentage number. That is the total percentage of positive feedback ratings this seller has received. You can click the feedback number itself and read the feedback that has been left for this seller. If the seller has 5,000 transactions and 99.8% of them are positive, that is an indication of an honest, trustworthy seller. You can also see if the seller has other items listed that you'd be interested in by clicking the link near their seller's information.
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• Ending Time: This area tell you how much time is left on the auction. It's in days, hours and minute format.
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• Item Information: Read everything that is written about the item! See if it is new or used, if there are any flaws, what the sizes are etc. You are responsible for this part of the transaction! If you buy a plush monkey assuming it's large, but get a 6 inch tall doll, you would be angry. But the seller probably has the size listed right there. If not, click the link entitled "Ask seller a question", find out what you need to know, then decide whether you'd like to bid.
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• Shipping Information: Shipping costs will be listed near the top of the listing near the current price. It is usually listed at the bottom as well. Read the shipping specifications carefully to make sure you can cover the shipping costs, if they ship to where you live, when they ship and if they offer discounts for multiple purchases. Shipping costs are in addition to your winning bid or end cost. If you have questions about shipping, be sure to use that "Ask seller a question" link.
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• Payments Accepted: This area is very important. This will tell you what payment methods this seller accepts like personal checks, money orders, credit cards or PayPal. Read this area carefully to make sure the seller accepts your method of payment.

How To Bid

At the bottom of the page, you'll see a box where you will place your bid. In addition, it will tell you what the current bid is and at what increments you need to bid. Type in the maximum amount you want to spend for the item (keeping in mind your shipping costs). Your bid will show at the next lowest amount to the amount showing.

For example: A Bratz Doll is currently going for $7.82. What you don't see is that the current high bidder has bid a maximum of $12.00. Your maximum high bid is $30.00. When you bid that amount, you'll be listed as the high bidder with a bid just over the previous buyer's high bid (depending on the increment amount, it should be $12.01 or above) If and when other interested buyers bid, your bid will go up until your maximum is reached. If no one bids above your maximum, you win! If not, the doll goes to the next high bidder.

You will receive an email notification with you bid, as well as an outbid notice if someone outbids you. Within this email, you'll have the opportunity to click a link and bid again, if you wish. If you win the auction, you'll receive an email that will tell you how to check out and pay for your item.

"Buy It Now"

Some auctions will have a button near the top of the listing that says "Buy It Now". This allows you to click and purchase that item right then, no bidding required. This is a wonderful way to buy something you need within a specific time frame or something you just have to have.

Always read the listing well though, the buyer may require immediate payment.

Ebay Stores

Many Ebay sellers own virtual store fronts right on Ebay. These sellers offer a wonderful variety of items from DVDs and music to scrapbooking supplies, artwork and crafts. Often times, these stores have "Buy It Now" options only. This can be very beneficial to you since some stores do such tremendous business they offer items at deep discounted prices as well as unique, hard to find items.

You can search shop Ebay stores by clicking the Ebay Stores link on the home page. You can also find Ebay Store items during your search process. After searching the item you want, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the link that says "See additional items available in Ebay Stores". Thses items are listed by price, starting with the least expensive first.

Shopping Ebay stores is a terrific way to find bargains as well as enabling you to purchase the items right then. You can even add the store to your favorite sellers list and always keep up on new items the seller lists for sale.

Ebay Express

Ebay Express is a newly launched area of Ebay where you can find brand new merchandise at competitive prices. It's like visiting every store in your area to compare prices before you buy, but you never have to leave home!

You can search Ebay Express just like Ebay Auctons and Stores and the results come up in full-sized pages with clickable photos, rather than a page of links. You can also refine your search by clicking the provided links at the top of the page and sort by category and price.

Ebay Express has it's own payment specifications, so check that first. Ebay Express is all "Buy It Now" merchandise and includes a shopping cart so you can purchase several items before checking out.

My Ebay

At the top of each and every page, there will be a clickable link for "My Ebay". It is here that you can track everything you are buying, bidding on and watching. You will also find links here for your feedback rating and if you need to leave feedback. Everything is kept there for you so you can keep track of every transaction you make on Ebay.

This is a very valuable tool! Use it regularly to stay organized.

Closing Your Sale

Once you have won an aution or purchased an item through "Buy It Now", you need to pay for your item right away. You can do this by following the instructions in your winning email. If you are paying on another day, or sending payment via mail, let your seller know this by following the directions contained in your winning email. Good communications with your seller will mean good feedback for you later!

Feedback

Upon paying for your auction, the buyer should leave a feedback comment for you. Once you have gotten your item in the mail, you'll need to leave feedback for your seller. Go to you "My Ebay" page and on the left sidebar, click the "Items Won" link. Next to this item will be a small dropdown box with the "Leave Feedback" option. Click there and you'll be taken to the feedback form. Here you may choose three options: 1) Good 2) Neutral and 3) Negative. Then you may type in a message for the seller and to let the public know about your experience with the seller.

Use neutral and negative comments sparingly and ONLY if you cannot work out difference with your seller. Everyone deserves the opportunity to right any wrongs.

Final Do's & Don'ts

• Do enjoy your shopping experience on Ebay!
• Do stick to your high bid maximum. Otherwise, you might find yourself overspending for the sake of winning!
• Do communicate with your seller! Ask questions!
• Do pay for your auction right away. If not, communicate with your buyer the day the auction ends.
• Do read every listing carefully.
• Do check out your seller's feedback before bidding or buying.
• Do leave feedback as soon as you receive your item.
• Don't blame the seller if you didn't read the auction listing properly.
• Don't bid or buy if you think shipping is too high and then complain about it.
• Don't bid if you don't intend on buying the item.

Have Fun & Happy Ebaying

Enjoy the time you spend here on Ebay. Be a friendly buyer by treating your seller as you would want to be treated. Now shop, shop, shop!