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.
Godzilla Toys (Category: Toys & Hobbies )
Japan Tomy Godzilla Wind Up Toy Swimming Figure 
 | US $6.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 8:47:06 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
LOT OF 8 PCS GODZILLA MONSTER TOY ACTION FIGURES
 | US $2.98 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 8:52:21 PST Buy It Now for only: US $3.74 Bid now | Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
Godzilla Wars Sealed NIP Moguera Poseable Action Figure
 | US $14.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 11:50:09 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
VERY LARGE 12.5" TOHO IMPERIAL POSEABLE VINYL GODZILLA
 | US $6.00 (2 Bids) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 12:10:53 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
Lot of 64 Viewmaster Reels and Viewer
 | US $32.00 (7 Bids) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 18:00:33 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
Angilas Plush - Godzilla
 | US $3.28 (2 Bids) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 18:30:08 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
Little Godzilla Capsule Toy from High Grade set 3
 | US $0.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 18:34:48 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
Space Godzilla Capsule Toy from High Grade set 3
 | US $1.04 (2 Bids) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 18:35:24 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
Large Lot of 100+ Aliens, Figures and More Weird Stuff
 | US $4.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 18:50:07 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
3 Vintage Tin Alien Mutant Tree Robot & Spaceman Figure
 | US $24.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 20:29:00 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
12 Godzilla Space Ranger Spaceman & Robot Figure Set
 | US $9.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 20:32:22 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
1994 ROARING MECHA GODZILLA W/PACKAGE & CARD ( OPENED )
 | US $0.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 21:04:47 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
1994 ROARING GODZILLA W/PACKAGE & CARD ( OPENED )
 | US $0.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 21:05:37 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
GODZILLA ORIGINS GODZOOKY PLUSH DOLL W/TAG
 | US $5.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 11:04:01 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
SEALED GODZILLA GAMERA 2 FIGURE 1996 MOC
 | US $5.00 (1 Bid) End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 11:21:03 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
SEALED GODZILLA LEGION ACTION FIGURE MOC
 | US $5.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 11:22:02 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
SEALED GODZILLA HEDORAH FIGURE 6.5" BAN DAI
 | US $9.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 13:34:03 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
GIANT 12" KING JOE ROBOT B-CLUB BANDAI 2000 JAPAN MIB
 | US $69.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 15:50:05 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
11" Banpresto GODZILLA 2000 Millennium vinyl toy figure
 | US $73.47 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 16:39:54 PST Buy It Now for only: US $91.84 Bid now | Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
Vintage Imperial GODZILLA by Toho '85 & Gigan 05 Bandai
 | US $9.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 18:58:03 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
Godzilla SD Part 2 by Yutaka (NIB Rare)
 | US $14.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 22:05:30 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
2 Godzilla & Dragon Monster Truck Figure from Ultraman
 | US $9.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 22:19:50 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
Godzilla 10" Action Figure 2000
 | US $9.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 23:56:41 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
LOT OF 8 VINTAGE TOYS ( SEE LIST)
 | US $8.50 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Mar-13-2010 4:49:25 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
ultraman POPY bandai rider godzilla $.99start LOOK
 | US $1.75 (3 Bids) End Date: Saturday Mar-13-2010 13:41:37 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
16 Space Godzilla Dragon Monster Alien Figure Set
 | US $9.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Mar-13-2010 15:20:06 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
Godzilla Rubber Hand Puppet Head with electronic roar
 | US $30.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Mar-13-2010 18:32:28 PST Buy It Now for only: US $200.00 Bid now | Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
3 Devil Tentacles Alien Godzilla & Ultraman Figure Set
 | US $24.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Mar-13-2010 21:17:53 PST Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
TOHO MACHINE CHRONICLE1 Candy Toys Atragon Godzilla OOP
 | US $59.95 End Date: Sunday Mar-21-2010 12:48:27 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $59.95 Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
FILM TOYS ACTION FIGURES GODZILLA 2 X ACTION FIGURES
 | US $4.48 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 8:12:37 PDT Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
LOT OF 8 PCS GODZILLA MONSTER TOY ACTION FIGURES
 | US $2.98 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 9:52:17 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $3.74 Bid now | Buy it now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
Lot of 3 Trendmasters Godzilla toys sealed package COOL
 | US $9.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 10:27:35 PDT Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |
VINTAGE GODZILLA JAPANESE WATER GUN TOY - MINT IN BAG
 | US $30.00 (1 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 12:55:41 PDT Bid now | VIEW FULL DETAILS |