eBay & Online Shopping
This appeared in the forum a few days ago but thought I'd repost here as it seems more appropriate.
I'm an eBay addict myself. I hope these tips help anyone delving into this marvelous world.
Always check the seller rating. Anything in the 99% seller rating should be ok.
Click the "Read Feedback Comments" link and see what buyers have said about the seller. Pay close attention to negative feedback and any responses from the seller.
You can always ask the seller a question about the item you are interested in. I encourage you to do so even if you have nothing to ask. This serves to (a) Show how quick a response you get. A few sellers don't even bother to answer. Walk away from them. (b) show how friendly the seller is; some are almost rude.
Always read the fine print regarding payment and shipping. I came across one seller who wanted to be paid within 2 hours of auction's end and apparently (from the feedback) sent nasty emails to buyers who overstepped the 2-hour cutoff limit.
If the item is precious get shipping insurance. That way the seller can't say I sent it but am not responsible.
Don't assume Power Sellers with thousands of transactions under their belt are trustworthy.
I've been buying online for about 8 years now. I've only ever had 2 problems with sellers not honoring the purchase, once on eBay and once with an online retailer.
I've had other problems that were resolved. I complained to something called the Better Business Bureau in America. You file a complaint and the BBB takes it up with the merchant. Believe me, most merchants don't want a negative BBB rating and the BBB on their case.
As long as you buy from a reputable retailer, such as Amazon, or an eBay seller with a good track record you have nothing to worry about.
Sometimes if I see an item on Amazon I like I check for other sellers that have it and see their rating and price (it's on the Amazon site). I also double check on eBay and then make my choice.
Some sellers are sneaky, they'll sell you a CD for $1.99 and charge $12 for the shipping.
At your end you should make sure your PC is clean, i.e. no viruses, trojans or spyware and always make sure the checkout page when you complete your purchase is secure; it should start with https:// not http:// and should have a locked lock icon near the taskbar.
I find online shopping awesome, except for one drawback, it's almost addictive!
And finally, if you're interested in an item on eBay and the bidding is hot you can use a software program that enters your maximum bid in the last few seconds (sniping), thereby averting your entry into a bidding war and showing your cards early. I use Auction Sniper http://www.auctionsniper.com
