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.
Alf Dolls (Category: Toys & Hobbies )
1986 Vintage ALF the Alien Plush Doll Toy 18" Excellent
 | US $59.99 End Date: Friday Apr-09-2010 17:26:53 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $59.99 Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
CAILLOU ROSIE SOFT PLUSH DOLL 7.5" BEAUTIFUL COLORS
 | US $14.99 End Date: Friday Apr-09-2010 22:23:01 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $14.99 Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
SCOOBY DOO MYSTERY MACHINE VAN&FIGURE VELMA,SHAGGY LOT
 | US $35.00 End Date: Wednesday Apr-07-2010 14:16:19 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $35.00 Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
Harry Potter AND FRIENDS Hermione Action Figures Lot
 | US $7.00 End Date: Wednesday Apr-07-2010 12:49:42 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $7.00 Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
TELETUBBIES LAA LAA,TINKY WINKY DIPSY/CAKE FIGURE 2"
 | US $12.00 End Date: Wednesday Apr-07-2010 12:34:25 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $12.00 Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
COLLECTIBLE ALF DOLL HANGS WITH SUCTION CUPS FOR CAR
 | US $24.50 End Date: Sunday Apr-04-2010 11:08:10 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $24.50 Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
Rare! Vtg 1986 Plush ALF 18" Stuffed Alien Collectible
 | US $65.00 End Date: Saturday Mar-27-2010 22:40:13 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $65.00 Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
b Alf alien Burger King Baseball Orbiters Plush Puppet
 | US $16.00 End Date: Friday Mar-26-2010 17:42:22 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $16.00 Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
NEW VINTAGE ALF DOLL PLUSH HAND PUPPET /FIGURE RARE
 | US $7.99 End Date: Friday Mar-26-2010 20:22:20 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $7.99 Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
Vintage 1986 Alf Alien Prod. Coleco & Alf Hand Puppet
 | US $20.00 (3 Bids) End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 9:33:21 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
Vintage Alf Doll 1986 Coleco 18" Plush Alien UFO Melmac
 | US $49.99 End Date: Thursday Mar-18-2010 19:11:26 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $49.99 Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
DISNEY CHIP AND DALE FIGURE 2.75 CHIPMUNKS L@@K
 | US $3.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 16:25:48 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
RARE Talking ALF Plush Toy VINTAGE 1986 CALECO 18 IN
 | US $189.99 End Date: Wednesday Mar-17-2010 15:09:19 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $189.99 Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
Alf Hand Puppet Alien Productions 1987 Never Used NICE!
 | US $5.95 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 20:35:31 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
CAILLOU FIGURE POSEABLE 2002 BEAUTIFUL COLORS L@@K
 | US $12.99 End Date: Monday Mar-15-2010 17:58:53 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $12.99 Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
SCOOBY DOO MYSTERY MACHINE VAN CONTROL SCOOBY FIGURE
 | US $60.00 End Date: Monday Mar-15-2010 17:21:36 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $60.00 Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
NWT Marilyn Monroe Postage Stamp Plush Bear L@@K
 | US $12.99 End Date: Saturday Mar-13-2010 19:13:38 PST Buy It Now for only: US $12.99 Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
HUGE SCOOBY DOO PLUSH,STUFF,ANIMAL,TOY,DOLL 28",JUMBO
 | US $12.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Mar-13-2010 11:30:43 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
LOT OF 6 VARIOUS SUCTION ALF DOLLS RARE COLLECTOR ITEMS
 | US $2.00 (1 Bid) End Date: Saturday Mar-13-2010 19:11:55 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
RARE ALF LOT FINGER PUPPET LUNCH TRAY PLUSH DOLL NICE!!
 | US $4.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Mar-13-2010 19:55:58 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
Vintage ALF plush doll 1986 Pristine Shape TV ICON ALF
 | US $31.00 (15 Bids) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 19:32:04 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
Vintage 17" ALF Plush
 | US $6.95 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 12:02:46 PDT Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
ALF LARGE PLUSH DOLL 17" COLECO 1986 FROM TV SERIES
 | US $9.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 17:31:30 PDT Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
ALF LARGE PLUSH DOLL 17" COLECO 1986 FROM TV SERIES
 | US $9.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 17:35:51 PDT Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
Vintage ALF 1986 stuffed doll (cat sold separately)
 | US $10.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Mar-15-2010 13:42:30 PDT Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
1986 Vintage ALF Storytelling Doll talking Cassette
 | US $24.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Mar-13-2010 10:25:54 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
Vintage CUTE ALF Clip On Doll 6 inches
 | US $5.00 (2 Bids) End Date: Monday Mar-15-2010 20:31:28 PDT Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
Vintage Large 18" ALF Doll 1986 Coleco Plush
 | US $10.00 (5 Bids) End Date: Monday Mar-15-2010 21:02:37 PDT Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
ALF FIGURE GRAY KNIGHT,ON THE MAGIC CARPET AS ROMEO LOT
 | US $4.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Mar-15-2010 22:09:44 PDT Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
TALKING ALF THE ALIEN 1986 TV CHARACTER TOY PLUSH DOLL
 | US $28.47 (4 Bids) End Date: Tuesday Mar-16-2010 3:30:26 PDT Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
HUGE MOM PLUSH BEAR & CUB STUFF,ANIMAL TOY ,DOLL GREAT
 | US $6.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Mar-16-2010 5:54:44 PDT Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
HUGE GRINCH 40"PLUSH,STUFF,XMAS,DR.SEUSS,SUPERB,DOLL,
 | US $74.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Mar-16-2010 7:21:37 PDT Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
18'' PLUSH ALF DOLL
 | US $5.50 (4 Bids) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 7:41:15 PDT Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
CAILLOU SOFT POLYESTER 12" BEAUTIFUL COLORS L@@K
 | US $7.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Mar-16-2010 17:09:28 PDT Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
Vintage 1986 18" Coleco Talking Alf Plush Toy
 | US $44.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Mar-16-2010 21:23:49 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $122.99 Bid now | Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |