| I love eBay. I have never been to a public auction, | | | | If you see a lot starting price on an item, but the |
| but I spend a lot of time on eBay. I sold on eBay for | | | | listing says"reserve not yet met," this means that the |
| many years. I have also purchased many items | | | | seller has set a price and they will not sell below that |
| through the years. | | | | price. They want to get people interested in their |
| There is an incredible variety of items put up for | | | | item and start bidding, with the hope that the price |
| auction on eBay. I must admit that every so often I | | | | will rise to the desired level. Unless the bids on their |
| type grand piano in the search box, and drool over | | | | item reaches that price, it will not be sold. |
| the Steinways. These pianos usually have multiple | | | | Safeguards |
| bids on them, and sell for well over five figures. | | | | There are several things you should do when buying |
| Ebay is a great place to both save and make money. | | | | to protect yourself. As previously mentioned, always |
| If you are a crafter, it is great place to sell your | | | | check the feedback of the seller. |
| crafts, year round. I have sat at a craft fair all day. I | | | | There are also safeguards when you use eBay's |
| about went crazy. It is so much easier just to list | | | | checkout, and pay with a service like PayPal. I have |
| your items, and let the Internet do the work. | | | | been using PayPal for a long time. It is a wonderful |
| You may have items around your home that are of | | | | convenience for the sellers and buyers. You can pay |
| value that you may wish to sell. The key to selling | | | | with money from your bank account, a check or a |
| anything effectively is research. You need to browse | | | | credit card. The seller receives the payment right |
| around the site you wish to list your item. See what | | | | away, and you receive your merchandise quickly |
| other people are selling. Read their listings. Look | | | | Sellers are protected in several ways. If a buyer |
| through their feedback. Look at their prior sales. Did | | | | refuses to follow through on the sale, eBay will |
| their items sell, and if so, how much money did they | | | | contact them for you. If they still don't pay, eBay will |
| get from them? | | | | refund your listing fee. |
| As far as buying things, you don't want to get | | | | You have access on your selling page to all the |
| carried away. However, there are incredible deals to | | | | people who have bid on your item. If the winner of |
| be found. Try searching for things like children's | | | | the auction does not follow through, you can also |
| clothing, toys, jewelry, collectibles, books or | | | | contact the other bidders and ask them if they |
| whatever you need. | | | | would like to buy your item at the price they bid. If |
| The secret to winning auctions is to come in at the | | | | you have a similar item for sale, you may also offer |
| end and make your bid. See how much time is left, | | | | it to the next highest bidder. |
| and then put in your bid 5 minutes beforehand. | | | | Note: eBay makes changes to how they handle selling |
| I've also found Auction Stealer to work well. You can | | | | fees. Current if you list items under.99 cents, there is |
| place a few bids each week for free. | | | | no selling fee. If you want to sell on eBay, be sure |
| When you bid on eBay, if you really want something, | | | | and read their tutorials. |
| you will want to place two bids. The first bid will go | | | | To Protect all Buyers always post feedback about |
| just above the last bid placed on the item. The | | | | your transaction. When you register with eBay, you |
| second bid will be the highest price you are will to bid | | | | have a section called "My eBay". This is where a |
| for an item if there are other bids. | | | | record of your transactions is kept, and you post |
| If you place a bid on an item and you are told that | | | | your feedback. |
| you have been outbid, it means someone else has | | | | Buyers who don't follow through receive a warning. |
| placed a higher bid and it has gone into effect with | | | | After two warnings, they are banned from eBay. |
| your bid. | | | | Occasionally I have a buyer who claims to have |
| You can keep trying to get above them by placing a | | | | never received their merchandise. I contact other |
| higher bid. However, if the item is popular, your best | | | | people they have dealt with to determine their |
| bet will be auction stealer. | | | | credibility. |
| One thing to watch for is the postage. I never buy | | | | Online auctions are a great way to pick up some |
| anything unless the seller states how much they | | | | extra money. It can be fun, both buying and selling. |
| want for the postage. | | | | Be warned, however. The average person who visits |
| Always check the feedback of the seller. Be wary of | | | | eBay spends 45 minutes there. Used wisely, |
| buying something from someone who is new to | | | | however, online auctions can be a great place to |
| eBay. I know a lot of people who never received | | | | both save and make money. |
| items they paid for. | | | | |