Auction Glossary

"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:

1. Always use a different password for each online account
   (eBay, PayPal, Bank, etc).
   
   
2. Use a unique password with letters and numbers.
   
   
3. Change your passwords on a regular basis.
   
   
4. 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.
   
   
5. 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!
   
   
6. 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.

1. Always use a different password for each online account.
   
   
2. Use cookies on your Web browser, and/or use cookie management software or infomediaries.
   
   
3. Use a junk email address for "sign ups" on unknown sites.
   
   
4. Don't reveal personal details to strangers or just-met "friends."
   
   
5. 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.
   
   
6. Don't sign up at any Web sites that offer a reward or prize in exchange for your contact information or other personal details.
   
   
7. Do not open or reply to ANY unsolicited email, for any reason (not even to ask to be removed from the list).
   
   
8. 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).
   
   
9. Be conscious of home computer security. At the very least, install a firewall.
   
   
10. Read privacy policies and seals on sites BEFORE you volunteer any personal information.
    
    
11. Remember that YOU are responsible. Think BEFORE you click. Choose what information you are willing to reveal (including when, why, and to whom).
    
    
12. Use encryption.
    

How To Choose A Good eBay Seller:

1. Evaluate several eBay sellers before you bid.
   
   
2. Look for sellers with a feedback rating of 98% or above.
   
   
3. Read what recent customer have to say about the seller.
4. If the seller has any negative feedback, read it that as well. Mistakes
   happen. Sometimes negative feedback is completely unwarranted.
   
   
5. Look for warranty, guarantee or refund information.
   
   
6. Buy from an eBay PowerSeller. eBay has strict requirements that must be met for an eBay seller to use this logo.
   
   
7. Read the seller's auction copy about "Terms and Conditions" to see if they match your requirements for payment, shipping and returns.
   
   
8. 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.
   
   
9. Buy a low priced item to see how the eBay seller handles your order.
   
   
10. 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:

1. Don't get caught up in a bidding frenzy. Set your final price, preferably before you bid, and stick with it.
   
   
2. 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:

1. 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.



2. 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:

1. Pay promptly and let your eBay seller know that you have paid.
   
   
2. Reply quickly to your seller's questions.
   
   
3. If you pay via PayPal, send your payment IMMEDIATELY.
   
   
4. If you mail a check or money order, tell the eBay seller that you are mailing the payment.
   
   
5. Send complete contact information to the seller with your payment (include your real name, address and phone number).
   
   
6. Always reference the eBay Item Number whenever you contact a seller.

How To Follow Up On Your eBay Purchase:

1. 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.
   
   
2. Make a note of the expected delivery date per the seller's email or tracking number and watch this date.
   
   
3. If no tracking number is given, ask the seller when to expect your item.
   
   
4. If you don't receive your item when expected, let the seller know. Make sure you include your eBay item number with your request.
   
   
5. 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.
   
   
6. If your item is perfect, let the seller know via "Positive" feedback!
   
   
7. 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:

1. If you have a problem with any item, inform your seller immediately.
   
   
2. 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.
   
   
3. 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.