eBay Tips?

[V8S]

I've not seen this posted before, so I shall go right ahead and damn the ears of any Repost Police.

I have never used eBay before, but at some point I'm going to need to get some car parts. What things should a noob buyer bear in mind to avoid being ripped off or to smooth the process?

[Simpo Two]

Honesty is a good start. Approcahing your first purchase convinced you're going to get 'ripped off' is pretty unconstructive IMO - if you're that concerned, go to Halfords!

[SpydieNut]

dibbers006 said:

*Pay with PayPal - Easier and slightly more comeback if troubles arise

• Don't but from people with less than 10 Feedback
• Read every single last word of every part of the Description/ Title/ Info/ Returns etc
• Print out the Advert when you bid so you know what you Bid on at the time.
• Don't Bid until the last few minutes... just watch and wait
• Set a limit, and stick to it (There will be another item along shortly)
• Don't buy stuff that is 99p but costs £87 shipped form Hong Kong
• If a Boxset of DVDs is a really cheap bargain... it is because it is copied
• Don't by cheap Hong Kong located Electronics even if they look fancy and 'cool'
• Be polite, it is a community (ignoring the 'tards and scammers'
• Don't buy eBooks
• Don't buy information on Wholesale locations
• Get items sent Recorded
• Don't forget to check eBay.COM as they will sometimes be cheaper and also still ship to the UK
• Remember Region Coding on Visual Media (DVDs)

HTH

[V8S]

It's not really that I think I'll be ripped off but prudence and caution should always be used when buying anywhere.

[Rocket Pepper]

I know how to win EVERYTIME.

[CommanderJameson]

Rocket Pepper said:

I know how to win EVERYTIME.

So do I.

Don't tell anyone, but if you bid more than the other bidders, you win the auction! It's magic!

[trooperiziz]

Rocket Pepper said:

I know how to win EVERYTIME.

Bid on crap that no-one else wants?

[pies]

dibbers006 said:

*Pay with PayPal - Easier and slightly more comeback if troubles arise

• Don't but from people with less than 10 Feedback
• Read every single last word of every part of the Description/ Title/ Info/ Returns etc
• Print out the Advert when you bid so you know what you Bid on at the time.
• Don't Bid until the last few SECONDS... just watch and wait
• Set a limit, and stick to it (There will be another item along shortly)
• Don't buy stuff that is 99p but costs £87 shipped form Hong Kong
• If a Boxset of DVDs is a really cheap bargain... it is because it is copied
• Don't buy cheap Hong Kong located Electronics even if they look fancy and 'cool'
• Be polite, it is a community (ignoring the 'tards and scammers')
• Don't buy eBooks
• Don't buy information on Wholesale locations
• Get items sent Recorded
• Don't forget to check eBay.COM as they will sometimes be cheaper and also still ship to the UK
• Remember Region Coding on Visual Media (DVDs)
• Check item locations (Not wanting to tar a brush but if someone lives near an Argos Warehouse and regularly has New boxed items that are cheap you want to watch out!)
• Treat car parts as you would down the Scrappy i.e. presume they are broken
• Pay promptly
• Be patient. It isn't necessarily a large seller, more likely someone who has to personally wrap the item and get down the Post Office. Allow time for Delivery.

HTH

By bidding in the last few seconds you increase the chance of winning and dont get involved in a bidding war

[CrashTD]

dibbers006 said:

• Don't forget to check eBay.COM as they will sometimes be cheaper and also still ship to the UK

remember they sting you silly money on importing good from Americana

[Buster Bakdorzin]

Read descriptions carefully, not everything item what it seems to be.
Empty boxes have been sold for thousands, etc.

[andye30m3]

Always check the postage price, If there's not one quoted then ask before bidding. I often find that once postage is added you can often buy things cheaper locally on on other web sites.

Don't assume ebay is the cheapest place to buy stuff, I've sold stuff for more than in cost new.

[simba1]

Whenever I have had to bid on an item from a seller with less than +10 feedback, I always email them and their response will be my guide to whether they are genuine or not. Remember you all had to start at 0 feedback.