Here is how to buy things the smart way from eBay. Being a buyer means being alert, sensible and attuned to your needs. Read descriptions carefully, find out more where needed and assume good faith when transacting. These tips will help to make your shopping experience on eBay a pleasant and easy.

Steps

1. Use the search tool. Once you know what you want, search for it in the “Search” bar. If there are a lot of returns, try refining your search using the “Advanced Search” tool.

2. Be savvy and learn all you can about the item. When you find the item that interests you, read the listing completely. Does it tell you everything that you need to know? Is it clear, detailed and easy to understand? Does the listing tell you if the item is new or used? If these things are not clear, or you have questions, e-mail the seller and ask for clarification. What the seller tells you becomes part of the sale deal and provides a reason for return if the seller misleads you. It is better to be aware of everything than to throw away money in the hope the item will live up to your expectations.

3. Use the photos. If photos are provided, look closely at them. Are there any features that stand out? If you can enlarge the photos, do so. There is also no harm in e-mailing for extra photos if desired, along with any questions you have about the images.

4. Check for shipping and handling prices. This is a trap for many buyers. The item seems like a great price — until the shipping and handling costs are factored in. If they are not displayed, e-mail for the costs to your part of the world. Also be aware that some sellers will not ship to some locations.

5. Check the seller’s feedback. Overall feedback and comments are a good reflection of the seller’s good faith, successful previous sales and even speed of shipping. Anything above 95% is usually an indication that the seller is good - some negative feedback is to be expected in the world of sales and may simply be a reflection of a difficult customer or someone who had expectations that were unrealistic.

6. Check payment methods. Are you able to pay for the item using at least one of the methods offered? Or will you need to set up a payment system? Sometimes this can take up to a week to begin working if you wish to open a bank-linked Paypal account, for instance. Be wary of sellers only wanting cash; this is not a good thing to put in the post, ever.

7. Do a “Completed Listings” search of the particular item. This will give you the average prices paid for the item in the past. This lets you make a comparison and gives you a notion whether the “Buy It Now” price or the auction listing prices are fair or not. If you are bidding, as opposed to buying immediately, it gives you an indication of how much you will be willing to bid.

8. Put the highest amount you want to pay if bidding. You can click the “Refresh” tab occasionally to see what activity is going on, and if there are bids on it you search and see the bidders activity.

9. Buy it immediately if there is a “Buy It Now” option. It’s yours straight away and you can proceed with payment by any of the methods suggested.

10. If you win the item, you will be notifed. At that point you make the payment or notify the seller how you will pay and do so quickly. Request a receipt if wanted; the seller must provide you with one.

11. Leave feedback. When you receive the item, the system works best if you leave feedback:
* Positive: You are satisfied with the transaction and would likely buy from that seller again.

* Neutral: You may have some issues with the sale process but not enough to leave a negative.

* Negative: Something about the sale disappointed or upset you. In the first place, before leaving a negative, always try to contact the seller and seek resolution. Most sellers will try to remedy any errors that they have caused because they value their feedback status. Many now offer refunds and in some cases, you may be able to reach a compromise that makes both sides happy. If you cannot reach a resolution, eBay can also intervene for you. After trying a reasonable amount to resolve the issue and you still have no happy outcome, leave a factual message as to why you found the transaction to be negative. Avoid abuse or inflammatory statements; these reflect badly on you and may cause future sellers to block you.

Tips

* Be honest and respectful in your transactions. If you know the costs of shipping and handling in advance, you are accepting them, so don’t start arguing the toss after the sale. If you don’t know them, then you only have yourself to blame for not finding out if you are charged a high amount for shipping and handling.

Warnings

* Do not bid or buy now unless you are sure you want the item. Do not over bid or get “buyers remorse” once you have placed your bid. Be considerate, honest and patient and treat each transaction as you would expect to be treated.

Here is how to buy things the smart way from eBay. Being a buyer means being alert, sensible and attuned to your needs. Read descriptions carefully, find out more where needed and assume good faith when transacting. These tips will help to make your shopping experience on eBay a pleasant and easy.

Steps

1. Use the search tool. Once you know what you want, search for it in the “Search” bar. If there are a lot of returns, try refining your search using the “Advanced Search” tool.

2. Be savvy and learn all you can about the item. When you find the item that interests you, read the listing completely. Does it tell you everything that you need to know? Is it clear, detailed and easy to understand? Does the listing tell you if the item is new or used? If these things are not clear, or you have questions, e-mail the seller and ask for clarification. What the seller tells you becomes part of the sale deal and provides a reason for return if the seller misleads you. It is better to be aware of everything than to throw away money in the hope the item will live up to your expectations.

3. Use the photos. If photos are provided, look closely at them. Are there any features that stand out? If you can enlarge the photos, do so. There is also no harm in e-mailing for extra photos if desired, along with any questions you have about the images.

4. Check for shipping and handling prices. This is a trap for many buyers. The item seems like a great price — until the shipping and handling costs are factored in. If they are not displayed, e-mail for the costs to your part of the world. Also be aware that some sellers will not ship to some locations.

5. Check the seller’s feedback. Overall feedback and comments are a good reflection of the seller’s good faith, successful previous sales and even speed of shipping. Anything above 95% is usually an indication that the seller is good - some negative feedback is to be expected in the world of sales and may simply be a reflection of a difficult customer or someone who had expectations that were unrealistic.

6. Check payment methods. Are you able to pay for the item using at least one of the methods offered? Or will you need to set up a payment system? Sometimes this can take up to a week to begin working if you wish to open a bank-linked Paypal account, for instance. Be wary of sellers only wanting cash; this is not a good thing to put in the post, ever.

7. Do a “Completed Listings” search of the particular item. This will give you the average prices paid for the item in the past. This lets you make a comparison and gives you a notion whether the “Buy It Now” price or the auction listing prices are fair or not. If you are bidding, as opposed to buying immediately, it gives you an indication of how much you will be willing to bid.

8. Put the highest amount you want to pay if bidding. You can click the “Refresh” tab occasionally to see what activity is going on, and if there are bids on it you search and see the bidders activity.

9. Buy it immediately if there is a “Buy It Now” option. It’s yours straight away and you can proceed with payment by any of the methods suggested.

10. If you win the item, you will be notifed. At that point you make the payment or notify the seller how you will pay and do so quickly. Request a receipt if wanted; the seller must provide you with one.

11. Leave feedback. When you receive the item, the system works best if you leave feedback:
* Positive: You are satisfied with the transaction and would likely buy from that seller again.

* Neutral: You may have some issues with the sale process but not enough to leave a negative.

* Negative: Something about the sale disappointed or upset you. In the first place, before leaving a negative, always try to contact the seller and seek resolution. Most sellers will try to remedy any errors that they have caused because they value their feedback status. Many now offer refunds and in some cases, you may be able to reach a compromise that makes both sides happy. If you cannot reach a resolution, eBay can also intervene for you. After trying a reasonable amount to resolve the issue and you still have no happy outcome, leave a factual message as to why you found the transaction to be negative. Avoid abuse or inflammatory statements; these reflect badly on you and may cause future sellers to block you.

Tips

* Be honest and respectful in your transactions. If you know the costs of shipping and handling in advance, you are accepting them, so don’t start arguing the toss after the sale. If you don’t know them, then you only have yourself to blame for not finding out if you are charged a high amount for shipping and handling.

Warnings

* Do not bid or buy now unless you are sure you want the item. Do not over bid or get “buyers remorse” once you have placed your bid. Be considerate, honest and patient and treat each transaction as you would expect to be treated.