| DrKnow65 |
04.07.2008 10:45 PM |
I've ebay'd for some larger items (motors trannys ect) and I have some personal guide lines, but I think there are a few "ebay ninja's" here who must have better wisdom.
Rule #1- decide what I am willing to pay before I even look for something.
Rule #2- read way too much feedback from the seller first (read the positives too as people will put neative sounding posts under the "positive feedback" in order to preserve their own ratings from backlash negatives).
Rule #3- look all over for the item. You can often find the item along with other goodies for the same cost in the end. I have also lucked out with auctions that had not been bid on yet that were still at the minimum when they ended. Try not to list the items by price unless you want to see what a similar item is selling for.
Rule #4- make sure you can't get the item on the open market for less. You've seen it.
Rule #5- Do not bid more than once, just wait till the last 3 seconds to bid (if you trust your internet connection). What I will do is open one window and enter all the numbers (pre determined amount) in the maximum bid window, select it, then wait to "confirm bid" till the last 3 seconds. Then I open a new window and watch the item (noting the time often, and counting down the last 30 seconds audibly), when you hit three, hit the confim button in the other window (I like to half the size of the window vertically and put the windows side by side, just remember you'll have to click on the first window once before it is the "active' window").
Rule #6- use paypal only. I've had to be protected once already and I will only deal with sellers who use paypal. If they don't use paypal they are either a shiester or too money hungry, either way not someone I want to buy from.
Rule #7- buy the insurance. Just do it.
Rule #8- pay imediatley, if you didn't have the $$$ you should not have started the process. Sellers will apreciate it and your item will arive sooner and better cared for.
Rule #9- open the package the moment you recieve it. Trust me the ups/fedex/mailman will hang for a moment while you play christmas. If you can't be there when it arives, postpone the drop-off until you can, or have someone else recieve it for you, just so long as they open and inspect it immediatley.
Rule #10- go back and re-read rules 1 through 9 before you log onto ebay.
My personal 10 rules to ebay purchasing. I havn't sold anything yet, that's a different game.
Good luck _p_
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