eBay Tips for Buyers
Almost everyone starts his or her eBay experience as a buyer. Learning how to buy effectively will improve your eBay experience and prepare you for becoming a seller. I recommend you make at least ten successful transactions on eBay before trying to sell. We hope the following tips will make you a better and more successful buyer.
1. Build A Positive Feedback Rating Give and get good feedback. This is less critical for buyers than for sellers, but having a good feedback rating makes other eBayers comfortable doing business with you. For example, I accept checks for immediate shipment if the buyer has a good feedback rating. If someone has very little feedback (less than 20) or several negative comments, then I hold the checks until they clear before sending an item.
2. How to build feedback quickly? Here is a quick way to build good feedback: make some purchases for a few lower cost items you use everyday or that you would normally buy at a store. There are plenty of items in the Health & Beauty category that you buy every day such as shampoo and razor blades –often at prices less than you would pay at Wal-Mart. Pay promptly using PayPal and immediately post feedback for the seller as soon as you get the item. If the seller does not post feedback, send them a short email telling them that you posted feedback for them and you would appreciate them reciprocating.
3. Be generous with your feedback Post feedback quickly and leave specific comments. Leaving a comment that says: "great seller," is nice –but it is more helpful to say, "Item arrived quickly in perfect condition, just as described." Or: "Quick Professional transaction –good email and just what I ordered." If the seller sells something specific you can mention it such as: "Beautiful Print –I will enjoy for many years." This type of feedback is very helpful to future buyers and it tends to get you better feedback comments in return.
4. Use PayPal Sellers want to be paid quickly and everyone is concerned about fraud. There is no faster or safer way to complete an eBay transaction than PayPal (owned by eBay). PayPal is now used by over 100 Million users around the world and now processes more debit and credit card payments than Citibank. Over 80% of registered eBay users accept PayPal and eBay has fully integrated PayPal into their systems. Take the time to become a verified seller and always give your verified shipping address. This gets you the fraud protection. Go to www.paypal.com .Did you know you can also use PayPal as a savings account? According to Money Magazine, PayPal now pays the highest rate on ordinary savings accounts. When I wrote this PayPal was paying 4.8% while my bank, Wells Fargo, was only paying 3.3%.
5. Avoid Fraud on Large Purchases Given the millions of transactions that occur each month, fraud is actually rare on eBay but it does exist. The most common type of fraud on eBay is a seller that offers an expensive item for sale at an unbelievably good price. When you win the item the seller asks to be paid in cash, cashiers check or money order. You send the money and then the seller disappears. Demanding a cashier’s check or a money order only is a red flag. Never bid on a large purchase if the seller will not take PayPal or a credit card. Always check the seller's feedback and how long they have been registered on eBay. Most fraudsters set up an eBay account, run a few quick expensive auctions, get the money and either disappears or are kicked off of eBay as soon as they are discovered. Be especially careful if the seller is located outside the U.S.
5. Avoid Fraud on Large Purchases Given the millions of transactions that occur each month, fraud is actually rare on eBay but it does exist. The most common type of fraud on eBay is a seller that offers an expensive item for sale at an unbelievably good price. When you win the item the seller asks to be paid in cash, cashiers check or money order. You send the money and then the seller disappears. Demanding a cashier’s check or a money order only is a red flag. Never bid on a large purchase if the seller will not take PayPal or a credit card. Always check the seller's feedback and how long they have been registered on eBay. Most fraudsters set up an eBay account, run a few quick expensive auctions, get the money and either disappears or are kicked off of eBay as soon as they are discovered. Be especially careful if the seller is located outside the U.S.
6. Pay sellers quickly Paying quickly will help you build feedback faster and you will get your item sooner.
7. Be honest – admit your mistakes If you forgot about the auction and are late getting a payment off or you forgot to ship something you sold – be up front and honest. Apologize and admit your mistake. People can be very forgiving if they believe you. They can be unforgiving if they think they are being B.S.’ed.
8. Create an About Me page on eBay. EBay allows you to create a page to describe you and your family or even include your pets. You can put a photo on the page, talk about your hobbies, your family – basically anything you like. The About Me page is where a person can get a sense of who you are and if they would like to do business with you. If you have a web site, this is the one place on eBay where it is allowed to direct buyers to your web site.
9. Master the power of searching. According to eBay, about 65% of bidders find their item by searching. Including the exact name of the product you are selling is key to bidders finding your auction. Some sellers place a tilde (~) or a star * next to their auction title to help get attention. Place a space between a tilde (or *) and a word, or the word will not come up in a search. For example: *Nikon* would not result in any items found, because eBay’s search engine sees the * as part of the word. According to Power Seller News, some of the most searched words on eBay are: DVD, Art, BMW, Gucci, Longaberger, Louis Vuitton, Laptop, Playstation 2 and Paintball. Use eBay’s powerful search engine to find items and to see what items are selling and how much they are selling for.
10. Be sure to thank people Send an email to your seller when the item arrives. Thank them and let them know you posted feedback and are happy with the transaction.
Aluminum Boat (Category: Other Vehicles & Trailers )
BASS TRACKER PRO CRAPPIE 175 W/ 2005 MERCURY 50 HP
 | US $6,075.00 (24 Bids) End Date: Thursday Jan-08-2009 14:52:56 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
2005 DYNATECH REBEL BAY 21 FLATS 200 HP YAMAHA WARRANTY
 | US $10,200.00 (14 Bids) End Date: Thursday Jan-08-2009 15:40:04 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
1986 SEARAY 25' CUDDY CABIN GALV LONG" TRAILER, KICKER
 | US $6,000.00 End Date: Thursday Jan-08-2009 16:00:31 PST Buy It Now for only: US $6,000.00 Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
2003 Triton 190FS Boat 200 HPDI Yamaha Motor & Extras
 | US $10,000.00 (2 Bids) End Date: Thursday Jan-08-2009 16:15:35 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
2005 EVOLUTION PONTOON BOAT (SUNTRACKER) (crestliner)
 | US $12,000.00 (17 Bids) End Date: Thursday Jan-08-2009 17:30:00 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
2006 Yamaha SX230 HO Boat Of The YEAR!!!
 | US $14,100.00 (15 Bids) End Date: Thursday Jan-08-2009 17:30:00 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
Tracker Marine 14 ft Jon Boat
 | US $1,125.00 (24 Bids) End Date: Thursday Jan-08-2009 17:41:43 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
232 Limited Mako Center console
 | US $23,000.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Jan-08-2009 17:55:02 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
Archer Atkins Ingrid Wooden 57' Sailboat NO RESERVE
 | US $79,000.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Jan-08-2009 17:59:14 PST Buy It Now for only: US $84,000.00 Bid now | Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
2008 Mobile Suite 32 TK3 Fifth Wheel By Double Tree DRV
 | US $23,100.00 (9 Bids) End Date: Thursday Jan-08-2009 18:00:00 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
16' Larson Lapline Johnson Outboard Motor T144580
 | US $895.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Jan-08-2009 18:01:00 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
16' ThunderCraft SS Regency Evinrude Outboard T144666
 | US $995.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Jan-08-2009 18:02:00 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
19' Four Winns Sundowner MerCruiser In/outboard T143602
 | US $2,995.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Jan-08-2009 18:03:00 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
15' Bayliner Capri Force Outboard Motor Trailer T144593
 | US $895.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Jan-08-2009 18:04:00 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
2002 Featherlite Vogue 2 Slides Prevost 45' LOOK NO/RES
 | US $185,385.00 (10 Bids) End Date: Thursday Jan-08-2009 18:43:04 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
2002 BAJA 342 PERFORMANCE SERIES BOAT VERY LOW HOURS
 | US $101,400.00 End Date: Thursday Jan-08-2009 19:28:57 PST Buy It Now for only: US $101,400.00 Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
1436 Monark Jon Boat and New Trailer
 | US $750.00 (28 Bids) End Date: Thursday Jan-08-2009 19:30:00 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
Aluminum Commercial Crew Boat Vessel Scully
 | US $95,000.00 End Date: Thursday Jan-08-2009 20:47:10 PST Buy It Now for only: US $95,000.00 Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
2000 CRUISERS 3375 EXPRESS
 | US $30,800.00 (4 Bids) End Date: Friday Jan-09-2009 6:00:00 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
NEW 16' WOODEN SAN FRANCISCO GREAT PELICAN SAILBOAT
 | US $810.00 (18 Bids) End Date: Friday Jan-09-2009 6:45:22 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
1990 BOUNDER 34 MUST SELL
 | US $5,000.00 (7 Bids) End Date: Friday Jan-09-2009 8:03:11 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
14ft jon boat
 | US $850.00 End Date: Friday Jan-09-2009 8:06:39 PST Buy It Now for only: US $850.00 Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
2002 Cardinal camper on Douglas Lake TN
 | US $15,000.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Jan-09-2009 8:12:30 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
New 23 ft pontoon boat
 | US $5,999.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Jan-09-2009 8:14:54 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
06 TRACKER PRO GUIDE V 17 DEEP V WITH MERCURY 125 ELPTO
 | US $9,995.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Jan-09-2009 9:08:36 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
NEW 2006 POLAR 21FT BAY BOAT, YAM 150HP W/ TRAILER, NEW
 | US $28,995.00 End Date: Friday Jan-09-2009 9:33:18 PST Buy It Now for only: US $28,995.00 Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
2000 HYDRA-SPORTS 22 LTS CENTER CONSOLE 150 HP. CLEAN
 | US $15,995.00 End Date: Friday Jan-09-2009 9:35:54 PST Buy It Now for only: US $15,995.00 Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
07 Newmar DUTCH STAR DP4023 Diesel Pusher
 | US $66,666.66 (8 Bids) End Date: Friday Jan-09-2009 10:02:31 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
05 Tracker Party Barge 25/ 05 Mercury 115 OPtimax
 | US $11,389.00 (17 Bids) End Date: Friday Jan-09-2009 11:47:23 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
1979 Sea Ray 260 Weekender Cuddy Cabin
 | US $1,550.00 (3 Bids) End Date: Friday Jan-09-2009 11:57:34 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
2006 Bass Tracker PRO175C 17ft 75HP Mercury
 | US $8,000.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Jan-09-2009 12:56:39 PST Buy It Now for only: US $8,900.00 Bid now | Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
Chaparral 180 SSI
 | US $18,000.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Jan-09-2009 13:04:18 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
2003 MASTERCRAFT MARISTAR 210 SINGLE AXLE BOAT TRAILER
 | US $2,850.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Jan-09-2009 13:23:12 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
2006 NauticStar 205DC Deck Boat - Yamaha 115-4 stroke
 | US $20,900.00 End Date: Friday Jan-09-2009 14:22:16 PST Buy It Now for only: US $20,900.00 Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |