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"How to buy safely on eBay."
Here are some tried and true tips to help you protect your
online accounts, shop smart and get a better deal on eBay.
How To Protect Your Online Accounts:
Always use a different password for each online account
(eBay, PayPal, Bank, etc).
Use a unique password with letters and numbers.
Change your passwords on a regular basis.
Create a "holding account" at your bank for
all online transfers instead of using your regular checking
account. Keep a minimum balance in the holding account and
only transfer funds to this account when necessary. Online
transfers at your bank are much faster than PayPal transfers.
NEVER click on a link in email that looks like it
has come from eBay, PayPal, or your online bank. These companies
will not send emails with links to your account!
Check out eBay's NEW Toolbar for quick, easy
eBay access from your desktop. The eBay Toolbar also includes
an Account Guard that helps you protect your eBay account
information. Account Guard warns you when you are on a potentially
fraudulent Web site. It also lets you report such sites directly
to eBay.
How To Protect Your Privacy:
Here are the top 12 ways
to protect your online privacy, from an article by Stanton
McCandlish, EFF Technology Director. The Electronic Frontier
Foundation (EFF) is the leading civil liberties organization
working to protect rights in the digital world.
Always use a different password for each online account.
Use cookies on your Web browser, and/or use cookie
management software or infomediaries.
Use a junk email address for "sign ups" on unknown
sites.
Don't reveal personal details to strangers or just-met
"friends."
Do not use your "business" email to send personal
information to mailing lists, or to send private emails to
your friends. Your mail may be monitored, so keep sensitive
files on your home computer.
Don't sign up at any Web sites that offer a reward or
prize in exchange for your contact information or other
personal details.
Do not open or replyto ANY unsolicited email,
for any reason (not even to ask to be removed from the list).
Always check your computer connection BEFORE you submit
a credit card number or other highly sensitive personal
information. Make absolutely sure your connection is safe
and secure (encrypted).
Be conscious of home computer security. At the very least,
install a firewall.
Read privacy policies and seals on sites BEFORE you
volunteer any personal information.
Remember that YOU are responsible. Think BEFORE you
click. Choose what information you are willing to reveal (including
when, why, and to whom).
Use encryption.
How To Choose A Good eBay Seller:
Evaluate several eBay sellers before you bid.
Look for sellers with a feedback rating of 98% or above.
Read what recent customer have to say about the seller.
If the seller has any negative feedback, read it that
as well. Mistakes
happen. Sometimes negative feedback is completely unwarranted.
Look for warranty, guarantee or refund information.
Buy from an eBay PowerSeller. eBay has strict requirements
that must be met for an eBay seller to use this logo.
Read the seller's auction copy about "Terms and Conditions"
to see if they match your requirements for payment,
shipping and returns.
Look at the seller's "eBay Me" page, and, if they have a
website, check that out as well. You can find out a lot about
the kind of people or company you are dealing with when you
invest a little time for information.
Buy a low priced item to see how the eBay seller
handles your order.
When you find a seller that meets your requirements, add
them to your "Favorites" and check their auctions often.
eBay sellers appreciate and remember loyal, repeat customers.
How To Get A Better Deal:
Don't get caught up in a bidding frenzy. Set your
final price, preferably before you bid, and stick with it.
Check to see if the item you're interested in is similar
to other products the eBay seller offers. The Seller may not
know the real market value of his/her item, and if it it is
one of a kind or unique, you may be able to get a great deal.
How To Increase Your Chances of Winning:
Use sniping software to place your bids automatically
in the last few seconds before the auction closes. Two good
examples of sniping software are Auction Sniper and BidNapper.
Know the "Going" eBay price. Here's how: search for
the "title" of the item you want to win, and then look on
the eBay side bar under "completed items" to find recent prices
for this item. This allows you to gauge your bid amount using
previous eBay sales.
How To Make Your eBay Seller Love You:
Pay promptly and let your eBay seller know that you
have paid.
Reply quickly to your seller's questions.
If you pay via PayPal, send your payment IMMEDIATELY.
If you mail a check or money order, tell the eBay seller
that you are mailing the payment.
Send complete contact information to the seller with
your payment (include your real name, address and phone number).
Always reference the eBay Item Number whenever you
contact a seller.
How To Follow Up On Your eBay Purchase:
Print out a complete copy of each auction you win,
including photos, description and guarantee. Keep a copy
of this information until the item has arrived and/or the
warranty timeframe has expired.
Make a note of the expected delivery date per the seller's
email or tracking number and watch this date.
If no tracking number is given, ask the seller when to expect
your item.
If you don't receive your item when expected, let the
seller know. Make sure you include your eBay item number
with your request.
Open, inspect and test your item as soon as it arrives.
Don't wait a month only to find out it has a problem after
your warranty has already expired.
If your item is perfect, let the seller know via "Positive"
feedback!
If you have any problem with any item, CONTACT the seller
immediately and let them know! They can't help you fix a problem
if you don't let them know you have one.
Note: Leaving negative feedback without first contacting
your seller is one of the most imprudent and ill-advised things
a new eBay buyer can do. If you were hasty and/or your comment
wasn't justified, it makes you look inexperienced and unprofessional.
The seller can and will reply to your feedback, and, more
than likely, will return the favor. Negative or neutal feedback
associated with new and unproven eBay members sends out a
warning signal, not only to other buyers, but to eBay sellers
as well. Sellers monitor their auctions and watch who's bidding.
They can check you out and block your bids if you look like
trouble. Just think about it. Would you sell to you?
How To Handle Problems on eBay:
If you have a problem with any item, inform your seller
immediately.
DO NOT leave feedback without first letting the seller
know that you are having a problem with his/her item,
giving them an opportunity to rectify the situation. As a
PowerSeller, I can assure you that most eBay sellers will
bend over backwards to make sure that you are fully satisfied.
We want you to come back and win again.
Remember, mistakes can and do happen. No one is perfect.
However, if you work with your eBay seller, you will both
win in the end.
How To Get Good, Quick Feedback:
Buy several inexpensive items and leave glowing, positive
feedback. The sellers will notice, appreciate and remember
you.
If you have a problem, communication is always the key.
If you are happy with your product and service, leave
good feedback for your seller as soon as possible.
Don't be pushy and don't demand anything from or
threaten your eBay seller. This will not help any situation.
As soon as you leave feedback, e-mail your seller and
let them know. Then ask if they will return the favor. This
works wonderfully!
If you are looking for the very best deal on new or quality-used
electronic equipment, see what you can
win on eBay today!