How to eBay the Safe Way
May 28, 2008 · Filed under: Online. Articles.
I’ve sold and bought things on both Amazon and eBay for a couple of years now. I find that buying things online is both convenient and easy. I’ve read about people having issues with their online purchases (being ripped off, getting damaged items, bad communication, etc.) but I personally make sure to follow certain guidelines I’ve set for myself when I purchase things online and I’ve never had a problem. I’ve learned the following guidelines from other articles, other’s personal experience, and my own of course.
Before you purchase something on eBay:
Skim through eBay’s help site
eBay has a great help site for both new and old users. This help site walks you through everything, whether you’re buying, selling, searching, etc. It’s important to learn eBay’s buying and selling policies and guidelines so that you’re not ripped off by a seller later on. It’s also important to know where everything is: contact information, shipping information/updates, feedback—it’s all there for your safety and convenience.
Read the entire description
Even if a seller has ten paragraphs on their item, it’s important to read it all. The description should include the condition of the item, shipping information, accepted forms of payment, and pictures. Sometimes sellers will slip in a “Item may have scuffed marks”, “May be from a smoking home”, “Used but in good condition”—they’re sneaky fuckers so be alert. If you’re buying a gadget like a cellphone, an iPod, or a laptop, especially look for keywords like “refurbished”, “listing does NOT include”, and “parts only.” If you’re not sure about a listing (that is, the seller did not provide enough information), don’t hesitate to contact the seller with your questions. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Check the feedback
Probably the most important. Before I even read the description of an item I always check the feedback. Don’t just check the numbers and the percentage. Actually read the feedback. Sometimes sellers have only bought items in the past and haven’t really received feedback for selling. I always make sure the feedback is 100% and that they have sold more than 20 or so items in the past.
Look at the pictures
I make it a point to stay away from sellers with stock images. I prefer the seller takes a picture of the item they’re selling. When you browse the listing, make sure you look at every picture to check out the condition of the item(s). If you’re not sure about a particular photo (the quality is horrible, the picture doesn’t show the front/back of the item, etc) don’t hesitate to contact the seller and ask for additional pictures.
Use paypal
I highly recommend Paypal as a form of payment. It’s fast, most sellers accept it, and I believe it’s a safer option than money orders or personal checks through the mail. Plus, if the sale goes wrong, Paypal will most likely refund you the money. I’d skim over the Paypal Help page as well to learn about the process and Paypal’s policies.
There’s always a risk when it comes to shopping online, but the safer we eBay, the better the odds are for smooth buying and selling. If you have additonal eBay tips, share!