In this site...
Check Feedback
Before bidding on an item, check the seller's feedback to see how other
buyers describe their interaction with him. This can be done by clicking on the
number inside parenthesis next to the seller's User ID on the item page.
Smart Shopping
To make sure you are getting a bargain, compare prices with other
stores (online and offline), and see how much similar items have sold for on
past e-Bay auctions.
Ask Questions
Read the item listing carefully, and avoid making assumptions about details
that are not included. Contact the seller with any questions you may have. Most
sellers welcome questions from prospective buyers.
eBay Primer for Buyers
by Brenda King
What is eBay?
How can I become an eBay buyer?
How much does it cost to buy on eBay?
What is My eBay?
How does the bidding work?
What happens after I win an item?
What about shipping?
How soon do I need to send payment?
What payment method should I use?
What is Paypal?
How do I settle disputes with the seller?
What is feedback?
EBay is an online marketplace where you can purchase or sell almost anything. Items are usually sold in one of two formats:
- Fixed Price Listing - The seller asks a specific selling price, and the first person willing to pay that price wins the item.
- Auction Listing - The bidding opens at a price specified by the seller, and the auction remains on eBay for a certain number of days. At the close of the auction, the person with the highest bid wins the item. A "Buy it Now" option may be added to an auction listing, which allows buyers to choose to pay a fixed price instead of bidding, if the item has not received any other bids. Once someone places a bid, the "Buy it Now" option is removed.
You first need to register with eBay. During registration, eBay asks for basic contact information such as name, mailing address, email address, and date of birth. They will then send you an email with instructions and a link for confirming your registration. For security purposes, you will be asked to select a unique User ID and password for signing into eBay.
Buyers pay no fees to use the eBay service. Sellers, on the other hand, are required to pay an insertion fee and, if the item sells, a final value fee.
My eBay is a powerful tool that helps you track and manage all of your eBay buying, selling, account information, and more. The My eBay pages can only be accessed after you log in with your eBay User ID and password.
For auction listings, eBay uses a bidding system called proxy bidding. Proxy bidding allows you to enter a maximum bid once, and then the system will automatically increase your bid only as much as is necessary for you to remain the highest bidder. If the bid exceeds your maximum, eBay will end you an outbid notification.
EBay sends a confirmation email to you and the seller, indicating the selling price. Your email message includes information on payment methods accepted by the seller, and a Pay Now button that leads you through a check-out process. The Pay Now button also appears in your My eBay section, and on the item page.
If at any time the above check-out method leaves unanswered questions, you and the seller can email each other directly. Email addresses can be found within the confirmation email message.
The buyer is usually responsible for all shipping costs. A handling charge and shipping insurance fee may also apply. To avoid disagreements, do not bid before knowing how much the shipping and handling charges will be. Most sellers clearly state this information on the item page. If the shipping cost depends on your location, a shipping calculator may be displayed; just enter your zip code to see the shipping cost. Handling and insurance information will be listed elsewhere on the item page. Read all the information carefully before bidding. If shipping information is not given, contact the seller by clicking on the "Ask Seller a Question" link at the top of the page.
Most sellers include a note in their item description, detailing how soon payment must be received. It is always best to send payment as soon as possible, to help ensure a positive feedback response from the seller.
The payment forms accepted by the seller are listed on the item page, and in the confirmation email eBay sends to both of you after the auction ends. The most popular forms of payment are Paypal, money orders, and personal checks. When accepting personal checks, most sellers do not send the item until the check has cleared.
It is a system that allows anyone with an email address to send and receive online payments, using their credit card or bank account. When you make a payment with Paypal, only Paypal sees your credit card and bank account numbers. The person to whom you are sending money does not.
Follow the steps outlined in eBay's Buyer Protection plan.
After a buyer and seller complete their transaction, they should leave feedback for each other regarding the sale. This can be done from the My eBay page. Feedback is reflected within each user's profile, and available for other eBay users to see. This provides a measure of honesty for the eBay community, in the sense that it helps users determine whether or not a prospective buyer or seller is reputable. Be extremely cautious when leaving negative feedback. In fact, don't leave negative feedback unless it is absolutely necessary, because once left, it can not be easily undone. For more information, see eBay's Feedback FAQ page.
About the Author:
Brenda
King is the director of
PositivelyFeminine.org. She and
her husband Mike live in Ohio
and have one son. In her
spare time she enjoys reading,
writing, hiking, and working on
the computer.