Avoiding Ebay Scams
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! That same adage applies particularly well to bidding and buying items on eBay. While 95% of the sellers on eBay are honest and trustworthy and will offer you an enjoyable experience, the other 5% can make your eBay experience downright unpleasant.
The online auction format is ripe for deception as the basic transaction takes place in a “Virtual World” between a buyer looking to buy an item well below market value, and a seller trying to get more than the item is worth. The inability to see, feel and touch the item can make this transaction difficult. By following some basic tips and looking objectively at the auction you can avoid being disappointed.
Feedback: Always check the seller’s feedback. Read the feedback comments and decide, as best you can, if the seller is honest and trustworthy. Is this a person that you would want to do business with? While positive feedback is not a guarantee, if a seller has glowing recommendations and lots of happy customers, consider doing business.
Tricky Text: Read the auction title carefully and thoroughly. How about these titles, “GENUINE compatible IBM THINKPAD” “TWO XBOX 360 cartridges” “GOLD VERSACE like DRESS SIZE 6″. The dishonest seller will simply point to his “full disclosure” title and tell you tough luck.
Photos: Look cautiously on any auction that does not include a photo. A digital camera can be purchased for under $10 and if the seller is not willing or able to show a picture perhaps you should just move onto the next auction. Remember, very few things appear only once on eBay. If you miss out or choose not to bid on an item, a similar item will eventually be listed by another seller.
Shipping Cost: You are required to pay the shipping fee for an item if you are the high bidder. So don’t under ANY circumstances bid on an item that doesn’t disclose that fee. Even if the seller charges you the actual shipping fees incurred, the shipping on a large international item can end up costing much more than the item itself.
Return Policy: Every eBay listing now includes a place to disclose the sellers return policy. If the item is listed “AS IS” read the description and look at the photo very, very carefully. Don’t assume that just because an item doesn’t work that you are entitled to a refund.
Payment Method: Choose a listing that accepts PayPal as a payment method. A seller that accepts PayPal has been required to provide some basic information to open the PayPal account. Also PayPal has many buyer protection policies built in to help protect you from fraudulent transactions. Don’t under ANY circumstances use wire transfer or CASH as a payment method, it’s just too dangerous.
In summation; if your prospective seller has: a low feedback rating, accepts wire transfers or cash only, has a ridiculously low buy it now price, is selling copied or counterfeit items, shows no shipping costs in the listing, or has no return policy listed.
Run…..
About the Author
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