Auction Information

How to Win on eBay


I've bought over 100 items on eBay over three years and am ready to share my knowledge of how to win at eBay and buy from reputable sellers.

1. You can find anything on eBay. When searching on eBay I suggest first doing a general search such as "ionic breeze" and checking what the items are going for. I noticed the items by companies with eBay stores were selling much higher than those by individuals. This is true for all categories. So don't be scared of buying from an individual as it could be much cheaper.

2. Before bidding look at the seller's rating. I only buy from those with 99% or higher ratings.

3. Next check the shipping cost. Quite a lot of eBay sellers are willing to sell their high priced item at NR or no reserve but make the money back with outrageous shipping costs. How do you know a shipping cost is too high? When checking out the auctions for your item such as "ionic breeze" keep an eye on the shipping cost. The average cost for shipping quadra ionic breeze machines seems to be $20. If someone is charging $30 then you know you're getting had on the shipping. I make my maximum bid less on those auctions where the seller is charging too much for shipping.

4. To have less search results to wade through limit the search by using the minimum and maximum amounts setting. Think of what you'd really like to get the item for and put it as the maximum amount. By combing the listings for "ionic breeze" I've found it is possible to get a Sharper Image Ionic Breeze Quadra for $50 if I buy it used from an individual or reconditioned from a business. That's ok with me as I just want to pay less than what Sharper Image is charging!

5. One of the most important tips is to read every word in their auction page. People sell broken items on eBay. Some of the auctions for ionic breezes looked great but in between their text stating how great ionic breezes are, how much square feet it covers, was the sentence that the item was broken. Imagine how I'd feel if I had bid and won only to find out I didn't read the auction carefully! Yes it's a nasty way to do business selling items that are broke and tricking people into buying them. But if you bid you legally have to pay for it.

6. Ask questions before you bid. If the auction does not state how the item is being packaged then ask. I once bought a wall mounted barometer, temperature, humidity item that was shipping in a shoe box with no packaging! It was busted, glass shattered. So make sure you ask how they are going to ship it and what packaging they are going to use.

7. Also ask if the item works, do they have the manuals, does it still have a warranty if ownership is transferred, are items sanitized, does it come from a smoke free pet free home? You need to ask these questions as it's "buyer beware" on eBay.

8. The cheapest prices on items is during the summer when people are on vacation and not stuck at home during the winter. The worst time to buy is before Christmas. Everyone is trying to outbid each other for a gift. The prices are unbelievable!

9. After spending time doing the legwork I mentioned above, you'll find that a few eBay sellers seem to be ideal to buy from. Add them to your favorite seller's list. Then it's easy to go straight to their store, or items for sale page, and bid on what they have. You've already checked them out so don't forget who they are!

More ebay tips at ebay tips


MORE RESOURCES:

Auction Fever Hits the San Diego Area
FOXBusiness - 3 hours ago
Responding to the new normal in the market, the owner is using Kennedy Wilson's Auction Marketing Process to sell available inventory more rapidly in ...


CBS News

Bush Takes Steps to Ease Holiday Air Travel Delays
New York Times, United States - 20 hours ago
The airlines would pick half of the slots to be auctioned and the government would choose the other half. Transportation officials said the auctions at the ...
Video: Bush Tries to Ease Air Travel Congestion AssociatedPress
Bush Unveils Operational Initiatives Aviation Week
Bush: Government should 'make airlines more accountable' ATWOnline
MarketWatch - Aero-News Network
all 879 news articles


Edmonton Journal

Is the sky falling on auto auctions?
Canada.com, Canada - 13 hours ago
A 1938 Bugatti Atalante was up for auction in London last month. Mind you, the cars that have been demanding and receiving huge money at auction have to be ...
Barrett-Jackson to auction off first Thunderbird Bizjournals.com
all 4 news articles


Austria Clearingbank in first interbank auction
Forbes, NY - 11 hours ago
In Wednesday's maiden auction, banks could say how much 2-month and 3-month money they were either offering to lend or requesting to borrow. ...


Mass. regulator accuses Oppenheimer & Co. of fraud
The Associated Press - Nov 18, 2008
The complaint alleges Lowenthal sold nearly $1.8 million in such securities two weeks before auctions began to fail in February. The complaint also alleges ...
Oppenheimer Accused in Auction-Rate Complaint Wall Street Journal
Brokerage is charged with fraud Boston Globe (registration)
The Region in Brief Siglo21
Worcester Business Journal - Boston Herald
all 132 news articles


UK auctions 4 million EU CO2 permits
Reuters UK, UK - 12 hours ago
LONDON (Reuters) - The government said it auctioned 4 million European Union carbon emissions permits on Wednesday at 16.15 euros (13.5 pounds) a tonne. ...
Bloomberg to be the Auction Platform for UK Carbon Allowances in ... MarketWatch
UPDATE 1-EU carbon rises following UK permit auction Forbes
all 28 news articles


Massachusetts Homes and Condominiums Went to Auction
SYS-CON Media, NJ - 2 hours ago
19 /PRNewswire/ -- Kennedy Wilson Auction Group, a division of the national real estate services and investment firm Kennedy Wilson, conducted a scattered ...


UPDATE 1-Bank of Canada to adjust purchases at auctions
Reuters - Nov 17, 2008
TORONTO, Nov 17 (Reuters) - The Bank of Canada said on Monday it is adjusting its purchase of nominal bonds at auctions for balance sheet purposes, ...
Bank of Canada says no transactions for term PRA Reuters
Bank of Canada gives details on liquidity measures Reuters
all 16 news articles


ConocoPhillips auctions off plant
KFSM, AR - Nov 18, 2008
The company is hoping for a minimum bid of $1.25 million in its online auction. The buyer will need to move the plant out of Ponca City. ...


Gaming The Financial System
Newsweek - Nov 18, 2008
Shortly after the bailout was approved, Congress was supposed to be using reverse auctions to buy up toxic assets from troubled banks to help stabilize the ...

Auctions - Google News

home | site map
© 2006