eBay Shopping Tips and Tricks
Filed Under Bidders' Tips
Tired of searching eBay each day to see if that Cyndi Lauper LP you want is up for auction? Have the site e-mail you instead. Sign in and enter your search term in the top, right corner of any page. On the results page, click “Add to Favorite Searches,” check the “e-mail me daily” box and and click “Save Search.” Now when She’s So Unusual is up for sale, you’ll get the word.
When shopping on eBay and other auction sites, read the item’s description carefully. Note what it does not say. E-mail the seller to clarify the description if necessary.
If postage and handling costs are not clearly stated by the seller, clarify this before bidding on the item. The vague statement, “buyer adds postage and handling to winning bid” could easily mean a $10.00 charge to mail a $2.00 comic book.
See what other bidders have had to say about the seller by carefully reading the seller’s feedback. Do you want to get involved with this seller?
If your auction site has this function, search the seller’s completed auctions. Has the seller sold multiples of this item? Don’t get into an expensive bidding war if the seller will list an identical item next week.
Include a copy of the seller’s E-mail with your payment. This will simplify the task for high-volume sellers (who may receive several payments daily) allowing them to quickly process your order.
Write your auction number(s) and item description(s) on the check. Again, this reduces the potential for confusion on the seller’s part.
Promptly respond to the seller’s E-mail. By merely sending off the payment you run the risk of the seller thinking you are a “deadbeat bidder” and reposting the item. I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve found checks in the mailbox from bidders I’ve long given up on.
If your auction site allows for “sniping” (Posting a bid a the last possible moment before auction closing), then by all means snipe. Why get outbid at the last minute or get into a protracted bidding war that could run up your final price? Here’s a how-to article on eBay sniping.
Snipe on eBay for FREE with Auction Insights’ free automated bid sniping service. Click Here
Clarify the condition of the item you are interested in if it is not listed. Caveat Emptor. (Let the buyer beware.)
When eBay shopping, evaluating a seller before you place a bid. Look at the sellers other auctions. Is this item you are considering a speciality? Is it something which may be unfamiliar to the seller?
After you’ve won the auction, print out a copy of the auction page and keep it until the item arrives.
Save a copy of the picture on your hard drive (right click on the image and select “Save As”) to compare with your purchase when it arrives.
Ask for insurance if you want it.
Summer is the slow time for internet auctions. This is a great time for bargain shopping.
Pay for your auctions with a credit card. Most credit card companies limit your liability against fraud to $50.00.
When you’re eBay shopping, try searching for the item you desire with a few misspellings. A mistake on the seller’s part could “spell” * sorry! 
* significant savings for you.
For the lowest price, look for auctions that are closing off-peak. Peak closing hours are weekend evenings around 5-6 pm pacific. Most auction bidding occurs in the last 48 hours.
Snipe on eBay for FREE with Auction Insights’ free automated bid sniping service. Click Here
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2 Responses to “eBay Shopping Tips and Tricks”
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this site is getting to the information we are looking for as the users of that infor. we want, but to sume extent the updating is needed a little bit of it. but so far it is useful.
Thank u.
This is my first time ever using a bid sniping service. Your website is extremely user friendly. Thanks, Phil.