You've also got to watch out for those shipping costs. For instance, you may find something that's really cheap, like 2 bucks- and then you jump on it. Then, when you're on your high for finding something so great for so cheap, you realize that you have to pay 10 bucks for shipping. I've bought quite a bit of stuff off of eBay, and I've been pretty lucky so far. You're hooked!!!!

I've purchased a lot of stuff on eBay, from computer hardware to personal gifts. My most recent purchase was a $400 printer that I paid $250 for including shipping. Great deal, great printer. I've only had a couple problems but never with the merchandise itself, I guess I've been lucky. eBay is a great resource when it comes to finding top of the line items for less than retail pricing but you do have to be careful.

The first thing I do when I see a listing on eBay is verify its current retail value. You don't want to end up paying more than what you could pay buying it retail. The second thing I do is try to find third party reviews of the product to make sure the description the seller used matches with what it item really does/is. Last, but certainly not least, I review the seller's profile. Granted, as you said, some of the feedback could be inflated but it's usually not.

Overall, I love eBay and think it's a great asset to the online marketplace.

~Melchiah

re your concern about leaving neg feedback, a common way around this is to leave feedback just before the 90 days to leave it are up so that your seller does not have the opportunity to trash you.

Let me add a different thought on feedback. I have sold items over Ebay a little, and one thing as a seller on Ebay that is most important, is maintaining a Excellent feedback record. If I have a buyer that isn't happy with what I sold them, or they claim that the product didn't come as described, I'll work with them to make them happy. Including taking the item back and refunding them the cost. I can't afford to have a poor rating. It took me long enough to get my power rating up.

So, if you purchased something and what arrived didn't match, or wasn't described correctly in the listing, send the seller a email. You might be surprised at how they will reply. A seller's lifeblood on Ebay is their rating. If they fail to make you happy, it is perfectly fine to leave a negative feedback, and make sure you describe why you are leaving the feedback accurately, including that you contacted the seller and they wouldn't make good on their product. This is your best tool for getting what you expect from something you purchase.

When I buy something, and it's not what was advertised or was inaccurately listed then I don't worry about them leaving feedback for me.

But most of all, if you have any doubts, ask questions. If they don't list shipping, send them a email asking the cost and include your zip code in the email. If you aren't sure if the cables are included, ask. Don't bid until you know, if you aren't willing to accept that you may have to obtain one yourself.

Anyway, just a few things I've discovered in my Ebaying in my experience. I wish you good luck!

I've had one problem with eBay, but was able to resolve it with the flakey seller. Vigilance is key to ensuring that you aren't ripped off. It's also wise to read everything and beware of buyers with negative feedback from people who sound trustworthy. I'd happily give negative feedback to bad sellers because bad feedback from bad sellers means nothing to a reasonable seller, and vice versa with buyers. Besides, most bad sellers tend to be bad sellers with more than one buyer, and it will show in their feedback.

I have been lucky with Ebay. But I do some research on the items and sellers before buying. I have bought a barebone computer, to a monitor, to dvd's and minature tea sets. I know that people are not always satisfied with things they get, so I look carefully at seller's feedback comments. If I see a pattern, I usually skip that person. It is very important to read the fine print. Some scammers are trying to lure you in for a item cheap, then get you saying that it was not the item they are selling, but the info on how to get the item cheaply. If I have a problem, I contact the seller immediately.

I bought a monitor that was damaged in shipping. In communications with the seller and shipping people, I obtained a full refund and sent the monitor to the seller. I left positive feedback, that even though the item was not as expected, the seller was willing to refund the money and file a damage report with the shipping people. Some people are too quick with the negative feedback, and it shows in their remarks.

My Ebay addiction comes and goes in spurts. I have obtained several items from Ebay that I am very satisfied with. I also think that as a buyer, you need to be just as honest. A seller sent a wrong minature tea set. They told me they would send me the correct one and I could kept the one they sent by mistake. After recieving the correct one, I contacted them and paid them the amt that I paid for the first one. Since they were honest, I was honest and paid for a tea set that I liked also.

When it comes down to it, I have recieved items that I could not find in my local stores, and cheaper then what stores are selling them for including shipping. But you are right. Ebay does need to be used carefully.

A Goofy E-bay Seller Stroy
I've been doing the E-bay bit for a couple years now, well 39 purchases, and it can be quirkyat times. The buyer rating system can get ya, and if you slip up you can get a bad mark from the seller.
I remember buying an item that cost a few buck but didn't know I won the bid because I was off line for a while and had my rountine of tracking payments from my account page and paid things from there; I was kind of new and had made a number of low cost purchages of various junk when all thesse em confirmations of this and that come in, well I lost track on this one three buck item and as I said was I off line for a month or so and eventuallly paid it...........but the thing is the seller writes me up there for the whole world to see "Deadbeat.", and I paid it!!!, still writes me up. All because he didn't get his lousy three bucks immediately but in a couple of months.........the other 38 sellers love me..........you figure. If I could get this b.........d and the thing is there is no way to get it changed via someone with E-bay directly. I haven't written to the seller yet to inform the jerk that a deadbeat is someone who didn't pay, I did! So, keep track of all those em confirmations of confirmations of confirmations.
Gotta tell ya though, I do love that E-bay.

Thanks for all the comments...I'm about to enter the world of selling on eBay, and I intend to be as open and as honest as possible! I hope it goes well and I'll bear the suggestions in mind.

I've made about 40+ purchases and have had the best results dealing with sellers who revised there product description after responding to questions from potential buyers. I've been stung recently receiving something not sold as described but understand the risks. If you are interested in becoming a successful seller on ebay, always put yourself in the shoes of the buyer and understand that bad rating/comments and product quality hurt your chances to get the price or terms you want.

My dad is a real eBayer. He loves to snipe though.. which I hear is a dirty thing to do. Oh well, to each his own... I've posted a Commercial Printer on Ebay once with the hopes of selling it at a fair price, but sadly I hadn't had any success doing so. I'm guessing that sometimes you need to try more then once to catch a buyers eye. I'll have to repost it sometime...

Err... anyway, nice article. I can see how easily you can get hooked. My dad won't stop talking about eBay. How do you make him shut up... hahaha

I recently cancelled my ebay account as a 3rd party got into my account and took it over so all their fees were charged to my account. Cannot get a resolve from ebay as you can ONLY email them, no phone number, no address. No satisifaction just a run around from emails. No explanation how did someone go in and take over my account. Have to be very very careful.....Seller beware of people ready to rip you off. Lost a lot of faith in ebay's way of doing business. Kept telling me to change my password, but hacker already did that so I could never access my account. Had to cancel bank account and credit card to a real inconvenience for me and the guy get's away scot free. Something wrong here!!!

I think that you just have to be smart when bidding on eBay, and set limits for yourself.

I recently bought a lens on eBay. I put high bid of $75 on it and that's as far as I went. I ended up getting it for $71.00. I had priced the lens online (new) before I bid. I also red all the reviews of the seller and noted how long they had been in business. They also stated shipping fees up front, and had detailed pictures of the lens.

You can get some great deals, you just have to be smart about it.