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.
Entertainment Memorabilia (Category: Entertainment Memorabilia )
PATRIOT GAMES: LOT OF 17 STILL, BLACK & WHITE PHOTOS
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THE CEMENTERY CLUB W. LAINE KAZAN DIANE LADD B & W PIC
 | US $5.00 End Date: Thursday Nov-20-2008 6:41:03 PST Buy It Now for only: US $5.00 Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
GRUMPY OLD MEN - LOT OF 8 STILL, BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOS
 | US $50.00 End Date: Thursday Nov-20-2008 6:41:42 PST Buy It Now for only: US $50.00 Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
DANGEROUS MINDS W. MICHELLE PFEIFFER STILL PHOTO
 | US $10.00 End Date: Thursday Nov-20-2008 6:42:04 PST Buy It Now for only: US $10.00 Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
WILLIAM KERWIN & JEAN CHRISTOPHER - STILL B & W PHOTO
 | US $10.00 End Date: Thursday Nov-20-2008 6:42:27 PST Buy It Now for only: US $10.00 Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
A VERY BRADY SEQUEL - LOT OF 3 STILL, B & W PHOTOGRAPHS
 | US $30.00 End Date: Thursday Nov-20-2008 6:42:48 PST Buy It Now for only: US $30.00 Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
BATMAN: MASK OF THE PHANTASM - LOT OF 2 STILL PHOTOS
 | US $20.00 End Date: Thursday Nov-20-2008 6:43:16 PST Buy It Now for only: US $20.00 Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
NATURAL BORN KILLERS - LOT OF 7 STILL, B&W PHOTOGRAPHS
 | US $60.00 End Date: Thursday Nov-20-2008 6:43:41 PST Buy It Now for only: US $60.00 Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
BURLESQUE POSTER 1897 DANCERS STATUE OF LIBERTY 654
 | US $10.40 End Date: Thursday Nov-20-2008 7:30:27 PST Buy It Now for only: US $10.40 Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
BURLESQUE POSTER BON TON WOMAN MEN ON THE STRING 651
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RICES EVANGELINE BURLESQUE MUSICAL COMEDY POSTER 705
 | US $11.56 End Date: Thursday Nov-20-2008 7:45:13 PST Buy It Now for only: US $11.56 Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
THEATER POSTER BURLESQUE DANCERS ENGLISH FOLLIES 682
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UNCLE TOMS CABIN THEATER POSTER ANGEL ROCK OF AGES 779
 | US $11.56 End Date: Thursday Nov-20-2008 7:49:01 PST Buy It Now for only: US $11.56 Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
George Hearn "THE CHOSEN" Rare 1987 Musical FLOP Flyer
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LES McKEOWN!~BAY CITY ROLLERS-70s BOY BAND TEEN PINUP
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PHILIP McKEON PINUP BLOND TEEN BOY ACTOR/BROOKE SHIELDS
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WILLIE AAMES 70s BOY ACTOR~EIGHT IS ENOUGH TEEN PINUP
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KRISTY McNICHOL ~ 70s GIRL - CUTE & YOUNG - TEEN PINUP
 | US $9.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Nov-20-2008 11:28:50 PST Buy It Now for only: US $12.00 Bid now | Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
DONNY & MARIE OSMOND / LINDSAY WAGNER ~ 70s TEEN PINUP
 | US $9.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Nov-20-2008 11:30:50 PST Buy It Now for only: US $12.00 Bid now | Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
DONNY OSMOND/BAY CITY ROLLERS~70s BOYS TEEN PINUP~CUTE!
 | US $9.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Nov-20-2008 11:35:30 PST Buy It Now for only: US $12.00 Bid now | Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
STARSKY & HUTCH/HENRY WINKLER FONZIE~70s TV MEN PINUP
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Brian Wilson Beach Boy Elvis Costello Stray Cats Poster
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Don Henley Eagles San Diego Concert Tour Poster
 | US $20.00 End Date: Thursday Nov-20-2008 13:03:29 PST Buy It Now for only: US $20.00 Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
Everclear The Exies Rare Original Concert Tour Poster
 | US $24.00 End Date: Thursday Nov-20-2008 13:03:32 PST Buy It Now for only: US $24.00 Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
Fred Wesley Robert Walters Jazz Funk Concert Poster
 | US $18.00 End Date: Thursday Nov-20-2008 13:03:38 PST Buy It Now for only: US $18.00 Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
Garbage Rare Original Roseland Concert Poster
 | US $20.00 End Date: Thursday Nov-20-2008 13:03:43 PST Buy It Now for only: US $20.00 Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
Go! Team Rare Original Casbah Concert Poster Grealish
 | US $18.00 End Date: Thursday Nov-20-2008 13:03:47 PST Buy It Now for only: US $18.00 Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
Graham Parker Figgs Rare 1990's Portland Concert Poster
 | US $24.00 End Date: Thursday Nov-20-2008 13:03:50 PST Buy It Now for only: US $24.00 Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
Hieroglyphics Souls Of Mischief Rap Hip-Hop Poster
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Rob Zombie Anthrax White Rare Portland Concert Poster
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Scissorfight Vermont Hardcore Concert Tour Poster
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Soul Brains Bad Brains rare Vermont Punk Flyer Poster
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Subdudes Rare Original 2007 Denver Concert Poster
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Suicidal Tendencies rare Punk Concert Poster Flyer
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Ted Leo Pharmacists 2004 Higher Ground Concert Poster
 | US $24.00 End Date: Thursday Nov-20-2008 13:04:23 PST Buy It Now for only: US $24.00 Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |