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Quick tips for safe and fun ebay purchases.
Four Main Tips
Big Items:
Four Main Tips
- Always pay by Credit Card via Pay Pal.
- Always buy from feedback score of 99 percent or better.
- Buy from sellers with at least 100 legitimate transactions
- Set up your listing preferences so shipping fees show.
- HAVE FUN
- Do NOT expect killer or monster deals all the time.
- Politely let seller know when you pay if you need it fast and ask for a shipping confirmation when you pay.
Big Items:
- Trade email with the seller. Ask a questions just to see if, when and how they respond BEFORE bidding.
- See if the same item is offered in later listing..siotimes different auctions go cheaper.
- Check the Ebay stores - see what other items go for..including total cost with shipping.
- Offer to use store referral link to save seller 75% on store fees.
- At first -be pleasant..and merely inquire. Ask for shipping confirmation. Or in Paypal which I recommended, this should be there if they shipped via Paypal shipping and you can look yourself. Most sellers ship at least 2 times a week. Note: It only updates when received -it does not track the transaction!
- Media mail takes a long time. If you mailed you payment it takes 2 weeks to clear. Allow enough time and always pay by Paypal and credit card anyway.
- If the seller made a mistake, let them know specifically why you feel that way and allow them to fix it...Unfortunately as a seller..I have had a few SNAFUS. But you know I always make it right..even for a four dollar total sale. Tell the sller how they could do better ..by going to the item and asking a question.This automatically puts a copy in the Seller's records and so they usually respond.
- If you did not receive the item at all and the seller does not want to cooperate..gently remind them that you used a credit card (like I told you). Then you merely indicate you will seek a refund via your credit card company -not payapl and then they will get charged $10 in addtion to a full refund including shipping even if you did nto purchase insurance. You know why? Paypal requires delvery confirmation. If the seller cannot prove you got the item, then they are on the hook not you -if You use Paypal.
- One more thing, some credit cards are honoring the seller's policies..So if the seller suggests insurance or says no refunds...and your credit card honors that, you will too. Some credit cards are also charging to process disputes. And there is a market difference between item not received and an item not as discribed. So--be smart and use a credit card with Paypal, but only buy from someone with a 99 percent and purchase insurancefor jewelry, and big items. The few extra dollars pucahsing from a reputable seller makes all the difference in the world.
- If needed file a complaint via Ebay or Paypal..but remember Ebay takes $25 off the dispute up front if you have to go through them -as a final resort..Paypal does a decent job of handling, but it is slow. Paypal is much better at getting your money refunded..so always pay by credit card and Paypal. Good Luck. I've always gotten my money back...using these guidelines and have met some nice people! That's why Ebay is my number one online place to shop.
- Don't forget sniping, too. This allows you to place a proxy bid during the last few seconds. Terrific because you can avoid bidding wars..and you can delete bid upo unitl a few minutes before it is placed. Esnipe offers bid groups, too..so you can place bid with the third party service and forget it.
Guide created: 11/13/05 (updated 06/16/09)
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