Hi

Since most of my items that I sell are health and beauty items and I have purchased numerous ones from Ebay I thought I'd give a few pointers on finding quality items on Ebay.

1.If ever in doubt about an item ask questions.Any seller that is reputable on Ebay will gladly answer your questions.

2.Read feedback carefully. It will tell you what you need to know. If a seller has a ranking of 98% or lower with less than 3000 total feedbacks read all of their feedback.

3.If the listing DOES NOT say NEW but looks like it ASK. Don't assume. There's alot of ways to make things appear different. I've been burned too many times when I first started out buying lots to resell where the items appeared new or the listing might have new somewhere in it but once I received it very few items were new.

4.Watch shipping fees. Unless you are buying a "lot" of makeup / skin care items shipping should never be more than $3.00.

5.Buy insurance!!!!!This is your only real protection. Most sellers (I don't b/c I can't figure it out) weigh and print their own shipping labels. This will usually include delivery confirmation. But insurance protects you from every angle. If you are buying an expensive item and the seller doesn't offer insurance look at their feedback and be careful. Insurance also protects the seller.

4.Use PayPal!!!!It is the safest and easiest form of payment. It also protects you if you don't receive an item or if the item is not as described.If the seller doesn't take PayPal be wary.There are alot of good sellers that don't take PayPal because of the fees that go along with it.But it is the BEST way to pay for an item.

5.Make sure you know before you buy an item that it is your color/your scent etc. Unless they are GWP/PWP. These are small items that are a great inexpensive way to try out a new item. These will always say "not for individual sale" but that doesn't mean that the seller got them free. Quite the oppposite. Most sellers buy in bulk the sample sizes. Some are from an actual purchase they may have made. IE: When I purchase my foundation or mascara or something to that effect from the Lancome counter most of the time they have a GWP or PWP set available. I have to spend a certain amount to qualify to get the set (which isn't hard) so it isn't free. A GWP stands for Gift with Purchase. This means that after I spend $30.00 at the Lancome counter on my items I receive the set as a gift. However PWP stands for Purchase with Purchase and it is a set that usually has bigger sizes BUT I am charged for it AFTER I purchase a certain amount for it. Typically, a PWP set will cost $25.00 -$30.00 AFTER my original purchase of $30.00. Now i the seller has bought a lot from Ebay or a wholesaler then they have paid for the items so never are the items "free".

6.If in doubt don't buy it. If you have a feeling it is too good to be true it probably is.

7.Use the home page to search for items and use the home page to access stores. Sellers may only have 50 items listed on Ebay itself but have 500 listed in their store. It is so much cheaper to list in a store. From the home page click on stores, type in the item you are looking for and it will take you to stores with matching items.

8.Pay attention to sellers payment instructions. Ebay checkout is the best way to purchase your items. Alot of sellers use other sites. But when you get there the shipping is no longer the $4.99 listed it is $14.99. If an item is PayPal only then don't ask to pay another way or assume that the seller will take it. This could lead to an unpaid item strike against you and negative feedback. Also pay attention to a seller's shipping information. Some sellers are able to ship everyday. Some only go once a week. I only go twice a week (except for the holiday season) because I am over 30 minutes from my post office.

9.Please make sure you intend to pay before you bid. Seller's are charged final value fees even if you change your mind and decide not to pay for it.Sellers also have to pay to list the item just to sell. These fees add up quick.

10.And last but most important HAVE FUN!!! Ebay should be a fun place to buy from.

Thanks for taking the time to read my guide and if I can be of any assistance please feel free to hit the contact member and I will get back to you as soon as I can.