Safe Shopping on Ebay
If anything ever seemed too good to be true, it's eBay, the online auction place where people can buy things at a fraction of the cost they would pay in regular stores and have the merchandise delivered right to their door. So what's the catch?
For the overwhelming majority of users, there isn't one. In fact, eBay usually works so well that it is enjoyed by more than 203 million registered users around the world and has become the largest online marketplace in the world.
Check the Feedback!
For some users, buying online still involves a measure of doubt or mistrust when it comes time to handing over payment before receiving the goods. The important thing to know is that eBay has a very good built-in way to help simultaneously reward and protect honest users: the feedback system.Through positive, negative, and neutral ratings and comments, each eBay member has a Feedback score, i.e. their “reputation.” This score is displayed in the Seller Information box of the item listing page. This is a valuable tool in fostering trust between people by acting as both an incentive to do the right thing and as a mark of distinction for those who conduct transactions with respect, honesty, and fairness.
If you have any doubt as to who you are dealing with, simply check their feedback rating. If they have a LOT of good transactions and satisfied customers, then you are in good hands.
Carry Protection
If that measure of protection isn't enough to satisfy your needs then bear in mind that you also have a number of VERY strong prtoection options when it comes time to pay for your goods. Paypal is pretty much the standard way to purchase anything online and is definitely the preferred way to pay at Ebay.
PayPal also has a number of other features that help its security that come at no cost to the buyer. One being up to $500 worth of buyer-protection coverage for many qualified eBay purchases.
This protection level can even go one step further if you fund your paypal purchases via your own credit card instead of a bank account. Mastercard and Visa have a SIGNIFICANT interest in preventing fraudulent transactions so they are a big hammer on your side if a transaction should go wrong.
Every card is different in its level of protection but it seems that even the average card offers a significant amount of fraud protection so take comfort that if you paid via paypal and funded it with a credit card, then you are in good hands.
What to Look For:
Keep in mind that most eBay sellers are not professional salespeople. They might think they were descriptive and provided everything you need to know what you're getting, but they have not. Be sure to communicate your questions and concerns by contacting the seller directly (via the link provided in the auction) prior to placing your bid.Thorough understanding of what the seller is selling.
Read the title, description, and everything else on the listing ESPECIALLY THE TERMS OF SALE (TOS). Does it have the make, model, color, style, size listed? Do you understand the shipping costs and seller's return policy? If an important detail isn't listed, DON'T ASSUME THAT THE ITEM IS WHAT YOU WANT! Contact the seller and do not bid until you get your answer.
Are the photos clear enough so you can tell what you're getting?
Are there enough of them so you can see the piece entirely? Remember, most sellers on eBay are not professional photographers so many of their pictures may not fully show the item offered for bid. This can work in your favor though too as poor writing skills combined with poor pictures can usually yield you a DEAL (since many will not bid on the item.) Of course you can always contact the seller for more pictures via email or even move on to another seller with the same item.
Is it new or used?
You'd be surprised how many people just assume they are buying a new item. eBay has lots of new items for sale, but it's also a HUGE secondary market for most items. Be sure to read the description area closely.
What is included with the item?
Are they shown in the photos or have parts been left out? Are the missing parts available or are they truly missing? Does everything in the photo come with the item, or just one or two? Cord/cables, instructions, certificates of authenticity, boxes - all these can be important to the deal, so make sure you know if you'll be getting them.
Does it operate as intended or is it a fixer-upper?
If the item is something that's supposed to run and the listing doesn't mention that it does, don't assume that it will. Ask!
Is the item in the photo the one you'd be getting?
Sometimes sellers use a manufacturer's brand-new and professionally photographed stock photo. Depending on the item, the seller and the feedback score, be leery of these types of auctions, especially for something like a designer handbag.
Make sure you see the proof of their brand-name claims.
I.e. if you're trying to buy Waterford crystal, make sure there's a photo of the mark on the glass. Make sure you know the difference between the real deal and a fake. This area is probably the most contentious part of eBay shopping.
There are MANY fakes of expensive brand-name goods out there as its very profitable to sell to an unsuspecting market. A legitimate seller will have good feedback, provide good pictures and will have good feedback. Did I mention they will have good feedback? Check the Feedback.
Know your seller.
eBay takes great pains to protect buyers with the feedback policy. They have made some recent changes that enhance this even more so make sure you inspect the feedback carefully.
Now that you have the tools, the assurance, and the means, good luck and good bidding!
