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- If you are going to bid on eBay for the first time, here are some helpful hints so you have a pleasant experience. The first thing is if you came from an outside link looking for a legitimate store, immediately clear your computer for spy ware and cookies. Do a complete sweep. Ebay rewards these link owners when you buy after you link on to eBay so there is spyware just to see if you bought a purchase. Only go to eBay through your browser. If you linked on through google, have your computer run a complete security scan. I came in from an outside link and had every bid upped and a very serious spyware documented and as soon as it was off, the upping og bids stopped. I went to the craziest sights with obscure items no one could possibly want and the bids were upped immediately and then it dawned on me to do a scan.
- If you wanted to buy from a legitimate store--buy from one and not eBay. Check the prices and you can often buy cheaper at a store that has a return policy and a owner you can see. Some Buyers are very unhappy on eBay when you want to return. An example is a friend bought $250 speakers and they never arrived. The buyer was called every name in the book and did not receive the $250 back. The item was obviously broken prior to sending.
- Your address, name etc. will be given to the buyer if you buy. Rent a PO Box or sign for a private account. If you buy or sell,your address and telephone will be given out and eBay encourages sellers to contact each other by phone. You get a lunatic with a negative review from you---he can make threats. People take negative reviews seriously and the more they deserve them the more they will try to intimidate you to retract it or not give it. I read a blog where the guy received items broken and gave a negative review and entered a dispute. Once he took it off after being promised a refund, then the seller refused to return the money.
- Ebay can have sellers from other countries masquerading like Americans. They get a friend to send out the items, but you deal with the person from another country. You get someone from a third world country they may not be polite and don't like Americans anyways. You will get hostility. You buy locally, you can report rudeness to the Manager or Better Business. Here, there isn't even a form to fill out nor does eBay care.
- Always look at the shipping. Items go for one cent but $10.00 Shipping. The item is probably worth 10.00 or less. Don't buy from China or Austrailia or England because sometimes the shipping is so high and insurance is high and too hard to keep track of. Canada seem ok, but if you can buy in USA, it is best.
- Shill bidders are notorious for new bidders. They will be someone from the store with ten different names and ten different accounts and they will bid you up. If you look at their bid history they win very few items and when they do it is put back on the next day. Check out their bid history.
- Don't give your password out to anyone.
- Only answer messages in eBay and never give your credit card # out and never reply to a second chance offer.
- Try to put the item on watch list and hold off bidding until the last day.
- Under no circumstances buy from anyone with less than 100 % feedback which leaves me out, but it is better to just make that a rule.
- Ask questions before buying especially does it work, do the watches have new batteries. If you leave a watch with a dead battery--it can ruin the watch. Let the watch seller go to Walmart and put in a battery and see if it works and tell you. You can take a chance, but know it is a chance.
- You are the buyer so decide how much you want to spend and don't get involved in a bidding war. The same item may come on a week later by the same seller. If it is rare one of a kind and you know this for sure--then it is up to you. However, do not pay more than you can afford.
- You are not winning a bid. You are paying your hard earned money for a product. Gold stars are just eBays way of sucking you in to make more purchases. Gold stars are used as a carrot on a stick to act like eBay is giving you something--a reward. You look at your Visa Bill and you will see those gold stars cost a lot for stuff you really don't need or have a place for. You won't be able to sell it, so make sure you want it and need it.
- Shop wisely and buy quality at the best price possible, but be safe and be cautious .
Guide created: 07/07/07 (updated 11/07/09)
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