How to get 'burned' on eBay!!

I have been using eBay for  4 year both buying and selling...I have had a handful of non paying buyers but only 1 seller not delivering the goods (new update...make that 2...I did not follow my own rule to trust your instinct!!)Here's a list of ways that could get you 'burned' on eBay....which could help you have a successful eBay experience.

Avoiding Paypal!

If you send cash or a money order...how do you know the seller got it, and the good old Postman / neighbour / roommate did not help themselves?? You don't!! Paypal is fast, affords you the paypal protection and avoid you having to give out your financial details to someone else! Why would a seller not take Paypal...the fees are not that much and it protects them to....steer clear of high ticket items that do not offer Paypal...the last thing you want is to be $$$$ out of pocket with no item to show for it! Plus with paypal you are not giving out your credit card / banking details to the world and its mother!!

Not checking shipping charges!

In the last week alone, I have come across sellers that have either failed to list any shipping charges whatsoever....or said they will be 'determined at the auction end'...in other words, if they do not make the money they want up front with the winning bid, they will tag it on to shipping! A great way to be ripped off!! Also beware if shipping is not listed and you ask them a cost prior to the auction end....just because they email you with a dollar amount does not mean they have to stick to it...if its not there in the auction or on a shipping calculator avoid as they are free to make their shortfall by charging you what they want!

Responding to 'emails' from eBay, Paypal or a 'buyer' in your inbox!!

If you get to your email account and there is a message from eBay....DON'T OPEN IT!! Period! Simply delete from your inbox and trash. Close your browser and reopen it to get to the eBay page....if there is a memo for you in your eBay inbox, then it is legitimate! If not, don't worry...it was probably from one of the many people put there phishing for your info!! eBay will never ask you for your password in an email amd will address you by name, not 'dear ebay user'. If you mistakenly open such an email never click on any links!!! If you have already done this or given away any info, contact eBay Trust and Safety at once, change your password and security questions! If you suspect an email of being suspicious, forward to the spoof department...and trust me, these sort of emails chagne all the time...I often get one letting me know I have won and paid for a $200 Razor phone...and guess what, I can CLINK ON A LINK to dispute.....ah I wish these folks could use their 'skills' in a more legitimate way....but for now lets avoid being a target!

Buying from a seller outside of a listing!

 I have on occasions recieved offers from sellers who have another item similar to one I lost out on...it can  be mine if I send them money via Paypal or other payment methods! (This is different from a second chance offer which is a good thing a lot of the time!!) One word   - DON'T...you are not offered the same kind of protection via Paypal and this practice is highly discouraged by eBay....if the item is not what you expect, you have no recourse, as it was not described in detail on a listing so you can have no expectations! Also steer clear of those who want to buy from you outside of a listing....sure you may avoid a fee or two...but you are also open to all kinds of problems....offer to list it in a private auction of buy it now if they are that keen to get your item!

Answering strange 'offers' that arrive through your eBay messages!

This seems to be a new one to me, but just recently I have had two questions related to a listing...when I opened them they were both about 'money making ' opportunties...scammers are on to the fact that many of us know not to respond to ebay messages in our inbox so are now sending bad business through eBay's message system. If you get such a message on your eBay page, click down to the bottom where there is a tab that says 'Report this Message', this will report it to eBay and hopefully the scam artist will lose their eBay ID....for now! I have also had some telling me about alternatives to paypal, new listing services...and so on...best to ignore!!

Failing to read auction terms / descriptions accurately!!

One of the biggest ways to get something that differs from your expectations....often the seller is not at fault - its the buyer who did not read the action...for example, I see a lot of make-up brushes sold with a 'Mac spectrum' ie color card included....the seller always has so many negatives from folks who thought they were buying 'Mac' brand brushes....sure the seller was adding to the confusion to give that impression that these were a high end brand and up the winning price...but it always states clearly in the auction that the brushes are no brand....BUYERS....DON'T GET CAUGHT UP IN ONE WORD...read the whole auction to see if what you want if what you will get.....check if it is new or used; does it have flaws; how big is it....so many artists get negative feedback from folks that thought they were buying a much bigger peice of art work yet the listing clearly states a size!!! Most sellers are honest....READ CAREFULLY and you should get what you want!  My closest call came when I was soooooo excited about getting an IPOD I failed to notice that our seller did not take PAYPAL....now yes, I shoudld have paid anyways....but felt weird about sending so much money in a money order...I offered paypal and extra to cover the fees....he wanted $50 to end the deal...I said no, stood my ground...MR. Seller got kicked off eBay shortly thereafter for ripping people off!!

Shipping to a non verified address!!

As a seller, please ship to the Paypal verified address....this protects you from scams!! I have had people buy an item then ask me to ship it somewhere else....here is the problem....this is typically that way someone who is committing credit card fraud will work...they steel a card, buy on eBay then ask you to ship it somewhere else as the real address is that of the card holder....you have no protection should this happen! A guy on the eBay message board lost an 'X-Box' this way a few weeks back and neither the police or eBay can  help him!! This is an extreme example...but it does serve as a strong warning! Also...please be respectful of sellers...your item should ship to the address you registered....sellers may be weary and rightfully so of  buyers who want to have things shipped to a different address! Keep your address current to help other eBayers !

Giving out too much personal  info!!

 I have seen phone numbers  / addresses and personal emails on auction listings....if you are a business that is one thing, but if not...be aware that millions of people are able to see your personal information and this opens you up to all kinds of fraud....you can give out all the information about your product....but not about you! The internet is a fun place....but can also be kinds scary. Protect yourself and stay safe! And this is a personal decision....but I would never put pics of my family members in listings...its cute, but again, I would rather protect my identify! Remember...the internet is open to EVERYONE..good and bad....protect yourself!!

Not adding proof of shipping!

One of the earliest lessons I learned as a seller, was adding delivery confirmation to my items....it costs pennies which can be incorporated into you shipping costs...that was it gives the buyer peace of mind when they have a tracking number and it helps you to know that your item arrived...then if a buyers claims they did not receive the item you have some proof to give to eBay!! Also if it is a high end item you are buying or seller....INSIST on insurance...the last thing you want is a $300 camera going missing in the mail and you being out of pocket! $1.30 per $100 worth of item is a small price to pay for piece of mind!

Not trusting your instinct!

If, after following all the trust and safely rules and guidelines, you still feel uneasy....please trust your instinct. IF IT SEEMS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE...IT PROBABLY IS!!

Price is a good key...if it is way too low...its probably a fake or the item will never turn up!! I ignored this rule last month and bought a DVD for a good price from a pretty new eBayer....something did not feel right but I wanted the DVD and this was a good deal..besides they did take Paypal....a good thing as I am not waiting for my refund for no item...and a seller that's been booted off eBay....ah well!!

HAVE FUN AND STAY SAFE...EBAY IS A FUN PLACE TO MAKE MONEY AND SAVE ON ITEMS...BE CAREFUL AND YOU WILL GET WHAT YOU WANT!