Thursday, August 07, 2008

Shopping, Buying & Other Money-Saving Tips from eBay Expert

I enjoyed reading "eBay’s Guide to Financial Fitness." The money-saving tips were smart and include advice about using misspelled words to bargain hunt.

Here are the tips:

"First-Time Buyers


Never assume. Missing information in the item description? Don’t fill in the blanks; directly contact the seller before you commit to buying anything. Click on the “Ask seller a question” link from any listing to email questions and get more detailed information.

Research! You can find virtually any information you need online. Start by researching product information, reading reviews and checking the value of what you’re buying. The more you know, the more successful you’ll be.

Follow through. When you buy it, pay for it quickly to complete the transaction.

Use PayPal. PayPal is the safer, easier way to pay online. Beginning this holiday season, PayPal will provide you with unlimited coverage on your purchases.

Frequent Buyers

Hidden Gems. Find a great deal by using search terms with spelling mistakes (sometimes sellers forget to spell check their listings) or search for an item with the terms “outlet,” “liquidation” or “refurbished” to find a bargain.

Communicate. If something needs to be addressed during the transaction, contact the seller directly. The best way is to reach the seller is via email or, if a number is available, give them a call.

Analyze feedback. After you’ve narrowed down your search, check seller feedback and ratings for each item. Remember, give preference to the seller with the highest feedback score – it means they have the best reputation as a seller.

Don’t be afraid. eBay is set up to hold people accountable. If a problem cannot be resolved by contacting the seller directly, rely on eBay. To get more information, click on the Security and Resolution Center link located at the top of any eBay.com page and report your problem.

eBay Addicts

Be adventurous. If you’re comfortable and frequently use eBay to buy from one or two categories, consider exploring other categories to find new, unearthed items. For example, an antiques dealer can find great vintage items in the Clothing, Shoes and Accessories category beyond just shopping in Collectibles.

Consider pre-owned. To save some cash, consider searching and purchasing used items. Review your search results to select the item that best suits your needs – chances are you’ll come across the perfect find at a great price.

Trade up. If you’re looking for a little extra cash to purchase the next must-have item on your list, all you have to do is sell an item on eBay. Voila! You’ve now recycled, cleaned house and earned money to purchase another great product.
Luxuriate! On eBay, you can find a range of high-end items, from consumer electronics to clothing and accessories. Be as specific as possible when searching for an item – include both the brand name and model number. You can also add in helpful search terms like “authentic,” “collectors,” “rare” or an era to help narrow your search."

--source: Jim “Griff” Griffith, eBay’s Dean of Education and author of “The Official eBay Bible,” has been the foremost education expert on eBay since 1996, when he was invited to join the company as its first customer support representative."
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