eBay Online Shopping Safety Tips

There have been so many dot com companies that failed and some were successful until a certain point but then again they failed. Unlike the dot com eBay has surpassed all expectations. eBay online shopping has become great phenomena. 

With every great thing, there is some evil and on eBay there are scammers. While more and more are buying eBay selling has become more tricky. Not to worry about it, if you follow some precautions.

Remember, eBay does offer help to mediate problems with eBay online shopping but ultimately, it is the responsibility of buyer to do the homework. Before you start buying and selling on ebaY, remember to check for the following:

eBay Feedback Rating and Comments

The number one on our list of eBay online shopping is feedback rating of the sellers. This rule holds good for buying and selling on ebay. In general, there has to be atleast 95% positive feedback. Remember to read the recent 2 month’s negative comments. Also, make a note of the item number and look for the seller’s comments on the buyer. If the comments are consistent, then maybe it is true.

On eBay some sellers sell fake name brand items (especially true with clothing and fashion items); some sellers don’t send the item to the buyers. That’s why feedbacks are important. Look for powersellers or eBay trading assistants because these are more trustworthy sellers.

Ocassionally, powersellers may not be the most reliable sellers. We did see atleast one ebaY powerseller selling computer printers with more recent negative feedback and most of these complained about either returning the money and not sending the item or sending broken item. In both the cases the seller did not respond to email after the transaction.

Closer observation revealed that this powerseller would start the auction with $0.01 and shipping and handling of $30.00. Starting auctions with $0.01 is good selling strategy for getting higher bids but the risk is that if there is one bidder, then you have to mail the item a payment of $30.01. This will NOT work out for a printer. So, the powerseller would just return the money and not mail the item. Instead he would re-list them on eBay.

Response to Email from Potential Buyers

Here's another check to do before eBay online shopping. It may be a good idea to ask the seller a question by clicking on the ‘Ask seller a question’ link on the right hand top corner of the item description. Getting good and honest response from seller is a good indication about sellers ethics.

Common sense shopping around (Research)

Wouldn’t you shop around if it were brick and mortar shops? If you are looking for New Mens Armani suit and after some online shopping  research (look for Armani in overtock.com, yahoo.com and msn shopping) you know that this will cost $3000. A wholesaler can sell items at 50% of the retail but if you find someone willing to sell it for $350, then it is definitely not authentic. Remember the fake fashion items almost look like the authentic so you really have to be an expert to identify a fake item.

The Auction Description

The online auction description should have more details. The listing must have more description of the item and pictures (unless you shopping for services). This shows that the sellers knows about the item. For example if a jacket is listed, some of the important details should include – fabric, size, color, condition (used/ new), how old, Brand name etc.

Other things to look for in Good Sellers

• Almost all online shopping has a money back guarantee so the same rule applies to ebaY online shopping as well. The seller has to take some responsibility of offering guarantee. If the refund policy is not stated clearly, then ask the seller about it.

• Clear Description of Shipping and Handling terms. There has to be a description of shipping rates for the country of the seller. For international shipping sometimes the seller may not be able to provide the rate unless you give your address to him/ her.

• Clear description of payment terms and conditions, accepted payment forms etc. Payment policy and terms must be clearly stated in the auction ad. 

Also, read eBay Fraud, eBay email fraud and how to report eBay Fraud.

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