Welcome to: The Idiot's Guide to EBay Buying Etiquette

You might be thinking that this title sounds a little snarky.  Perhaps it is, but in truth, these are a few common sense suggestions that will most certainly make your buying experience on EBay as pleasant as possible!

I have both bought and sold on EBay and am familiar with both sides of the coin.  So, let's discuss your role as a buyer.  You log into EBay and hunt around for that one sought out item and LO!  You're able to locate several available!  Which should you bid on/buy?  My advice?  Avoid impulse purchasing or bidding.  Take some time to research what you're after in order to find the best quality, the most reliable seller, and of course -- the best deal. 

After you have honed in on the item of interest, take a look to the left side of the screen and select the box that says "completed listings" ~ this will show you recently ended listings of the same type of item you're looking at and will give you a good idea of what that item is typically selling for or a better idea of what a fair price would be. 

Take a look at a few of the listings up that feature the item you're looking to purchase.  What's the sellers feedback?  What percentage is positive?  More importantly, what percentage is negative or neutral and what comments are left behind with those?  Where is the item located and what is the shipping cost?  Read the description carefully and view the pictures; is the item well described?  Are the pictures of the actual item or just stock pictures?  How can you be certain that you'll receive the exact item you're looking for?

Ask questions.  And do the seller (and yourself) a favor: don't ask within the last hour or two of the auction... or worse, the last 30 seconds.  Yes, buyers do that and no, it's not cool.  Usually the seller doesn't have time to answer soon enough.  Don't ask questions that are clearly answered in the listing.  Take the time to READ the listing and if you need further details or clarification, ask the seller very specifically what you'd like to know.

Plan to pay within the guidelines set forth in the auction.  As a buyer, you fully expect your item to be shipped to you promptly, correct?  The same courtesy should be afforded to the seller regarding your payment.  Don't lollygag around and avoid communication and then finally make a payment after a formal dispute has been filed and then expect that seller to jump up and pack/ship your item the same day.  Understand that you have entered into an obligation once you place your bid.  Fulfill it.  The seller is charged money to list the item, they take time to photograph the item, they take time to describe the item, they are then charged for selling the item and are again charged by accepting your PayPal payment -- all that you have to do is click and bid -- and pay.

If the seller states that they do not accept cash or personal checks, do not tell them you're sending a money order and then send a personal check.  If the seller says they are selling a green item and you receive red, you would not be satisfied -- this works both ways.

Communicate, communicate, communicate!!!  If something comes up and you need a few extra days to pay, email the seller.  Most sellers are understanding and simply want to know what to expect.  Most will tell you that its fine and to take your time -- as long as you let them know.

If your item takes longer than expected to arrive, contact the seller.  What method of shipping did you pay for?  If you opted for Parcel Post to save money, the item will take longer than if it had been shipped Priority Mail.  Most sellers will use Delivery Confirmation and some will use insurance or signature requirements depending on the item; these methods usually have some form of tracking attached.  If your item does not arrive and the seller has proof of shipping, don't file a claim against them, especially if you have been made aware that they are not at fault.  This matter needs to be taken up with the shipping service and most sellers will be happy to help you track down your missing item.

Leave feedback :)  Feedback is important to both buyers AND sellers and is a reflection of reputation.  As a buyer you have the opportunity to rate your seller on several criteria.  One of those is shipping time -- keep in mind the method used and base that score on when the seller shipped, not when the item arrived.  Another criteria is shipping charges.  Just because the package cost $3.18 in actual postage doesn't mean you were ripped off by being charged $4.95.  The seller had to buy packaging materials and supplies, they had to label/address the package, they had to securely pack your item, and they likely had to take a drive down to the post office to drop off their packages.  Yes, this is part of "selling on EBay" but this is also something that should be considered by the buyer for the great deal they likely just got :)  Most sellers will list their items at a significant savings to buyers -- which is why people buy on EBay, but can not afford to do so without charging a small amount for their time and their personal costs of doing business.  Don't rate a seller harshly because you were charged and extra dollar over actual postage.

Be kind, be honest.  Most people are indeed kind & honest if treated as such themselves.  Buying on EBay can be a wonderful experience and with the millions of items listed, there is very little you can't find and find at a great bargain.  Most all of this is common sense... but you'd be surprised what some people fail to understand. :)

DO research your coveted item

DO research your potential sellers

DO read the listing carefully

DO opt for more secure shipping and/or insurance when possible

DO ask questions

DON'T impulse buy

DON'T bid and neglect to pay

DON'T take it upon yourself to use payment methods not accepted by the seller

DON'T make up ridiculous excuses about why you never paid (or can not pay) as it is unlikely you were just in major surgery, had your house burn down, were robbed, or hit by a drunk driver.  Sellers can look up your bidding activity -- its public. 

DON'T use feedback as a means to blackmail your seller into unfairly giving you something you want but have no fair claim to (sellers, likewise shouldn't use feedback in this way)

Research, bid, follow instructions, meet your obligations, walk away with a great deal on a great item.  It really IS that easy ;)