| eBay isn't just an auction and a marketplace: often it | | | | Take Risks |
| can feel quite a lot like a game. Like any game, you | | | | This is a strategy for the braver eBay buyer. All of |
| can get ahead if you think strategically, using your | | | | the advice you will see for eBay beginners tells you |
| head to outwit the other buyers and get the best | | | | to buy items that have good pictures, clear |
| price. Here are a few things you can try. | | | | descriptions, trustworthy sellers and all the rest. If |
| Shop in the Summer | | | | you're brave, why not take a risk and look at the |
| This is simple, but effective. Summer is can be the | | | | auctions that do not fit in with this mold? |
| quiet season on eBay for many types of items, | | | | Many buyers won't want to buy from a seller with a |
| which means you can get a bargain. While everyone | | | | low feedback rating, no picture and a one line |
| else is out enjoying the sun, invest a little time to find | | | | description. If you take a calculated risk and bid |
| some real bargains. | | | | anyway, you might be able to make a tiny bid and |
| Beat Them by a Few Cents | | | | win by default. There are people on eBay who make |
| Outbid people by as little as possible - if they don't | | | | a living from winning auctions like these and reselling |
| check back before the auction ends then you will be | | | | them for more money using an auction with good |
| the winner. To avoid people using this tactic on you, | | | | pictures, a good description. Be careful using this |
| though, always bid strange, hard-to-guess amounts | | | | strategy because it can be easy to lose money at |
| instead of round numbers. | | | | some point. |
| Play Dirty | | | | Avoid Bidding Wars |
| If you know when the auction ends, you can get in | | | | Even with rare items you can most certainly wait to |
| there at the very last second and outbid your rivals. | | | | find the item you want again. It can be very easy to |
| The chances are that many eBayers won't have the | | | | get caught up the frenzy of a bidding war and end |
| time to sit in front of their computers waiting for it | | | | up paying too much for something. Resist the |
| the auction to end. If someone else does retaliate at | | | | temptation and wait for the next one and you'll be |
| the end of the auction, try not to get carried away | | | | happy you did. |
| in the last few seconds and end up paying too much! | | | | |