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

---

Google News Updated : Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:13:20 GMT GameStop's Profit Nearly Triples - Wall Street Journal The Money Times GameStop's Profit Nearly Triples Wall Street Journal - 1 hour ago By MIKE BARRIS GameStop Corp.'s fiscal second-quarter net income nearly tripled as results topped expectations, and the company predicted strong results for the rest of the year. UPDATE: GameStop Earnings Surge In Second Quarter; Forecast In Line CNNMoney.com Earnings roundup: Heinz, GameStop Forbes GameSpot - BusinessWeek - MarketWatch - Dallas Morning News all 43 news articles Publ.Date : Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:15:29 GMT 'House Bunny' pins its limited charms on Faris - USA Today Calgary Herald 'House Bunny' pins its limited charms on Faris USA Today - 40 minutes ago No movie called The House Bunny would be complete without the appearance of Hef himself. Not surprisingly, it opens with festivities at the Playboy Mansion, though the scene soon switches to a college campus. Anna Faris Glams Up House Bunny Premiere The Gossip Girls Film Review: The House Bunny Hollywood Reporter CanMag - The Olympian - Aurora Beacon News - Hollywood Today Newsmagazine all 203 news articles Publ.Date : Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:33:11 GMT Obama to campaign in Eau Claire, Wis - Chicago Sun-Times ABC News Obama to campaign in Eau Claire, Wis Chicago Sun-Times - 36 minutes ago FROM AP MADISON, Wis. - Sen. Barack Obama will campaign in Wisconsin for the first time in two months this weekend. His campaign says the Illinois senator will stop in the western city of Eau Claire on Sunday. Commentary: Why Obama has to get mad to win CNN McCain Closes Gap on Obama In Poll as Conventions Loom Wall Street Journal San Jose Mercury News - Atlantic Online - CQPolitics.com - MSNBC all 997 news articles Publ.Date : Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:36:45 GMT Student shot at Tennessee high school dies - CNN ABC News Student shot at Tennessee high school dies CNN - 1 hour ago (CNN) -- A student died Thursday after being shot at Central High School in Knoxville, Tennessee, police said. Students and staff wait outside Central High School in Knoxville, Tennessee, after a fatal shooting Thursday. Deputy: 16-Year-Old Dies in Tenn. School Shooting ABC News Student Fatally Shot By Classmate In Tenn. CBS News WBIR-TV - WAAY - Farragutpress all 831 news articles Publ.Date : Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:21:11 GMT Dems Pounce on McCain Admission He Doesn't Know How Many Houses He ... - Washington Post KGET 17 Dems Pounce on McCain Admission He Doesn't Know How Many Houses He ... Washington Post - 3 hours ago By Michael D. Shear SEDONA, Ariz.-- Sen. John McCain said in an interview that he did not know how many houses he and his wife own, a comment that Democrats immediately seized on as evidence that the Republican nominee is out of touch with the economic ... McCain not sure how many houses he owns Los Angeles Times McCain unsure how many homes he has Boston Globe United Press International - CBS News - ABC News - WHNS all 109 news articles Publ.Date : Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:16:19 GMT Apple Sued Over iPhone 3G Reception Problems - InformationWeek ABC News Apple Sued Over iPhone 3G Reception Problems InformationWeek - 55 minutes ago An Alabama woman alleges that the handset isn't as fast as advertised, and she's seeking class-action status to represent other customers affected by the "defective" iPhone 3G. Apple Faces Suit Over iPhone 3G Glitches CNNMoney.com Apple hit with class action suit over 'defective' iPhone 3G BetaNews Digitaltrends.com - FierceWireless - TechSpot - Wireless Week all 53 news articles Publ.Date : Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:17:44 GMT Hamlet 2: The First One Was Better - TIME Seattle Post Intelligencer Hamlet 2: The First One Was Better TIME - 30 minutes ago There's nothing remarkable, or witty, or particularly engaging about Hamlet 2, a ragged comedy about a failed actor who tries to mount a science-fiction musical sequel to Shakespeare's tragedy in a Tucson, Ariz. Anything goes in 'Hamlet 2' Los Angeles Times Brit Star Coogan Makes US Splash in Hamlet 2 San Francisco Bay Times amNewYork - AZ Central.com - Irish Voice - Western Howard County View all 53 news articles Publ.Date : Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:42:50 GMT RSS Feed Reader Increase Search Engine Traffic

PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

From Ebay Zero to Power-Selling Hero: Using Feedback Effectively

When I talk about feedback to new Ebay sellers, I... Read More

Are You an Ebay Shopper?

As I write this article, I am keeping an eye... Read More

Your Auction Headline Or Title - The Most Important Part Of Your Auction

The words you select to describe your item will have... Read More

Killer Tips To Succeed With eBay Auction

For just a moment, try to comprehend the power of... Read More

eBay Bargain Hunting - Spell Your Way To Success!

Have you ever wondered how identical items can fetch such... Read More

Make Money on eBay the EASY way!

Probably just like you, I had an overwhelming desire to... Read More

Ebay And Dropshipping, A Marriage Made In Heaven?

eBay is the 'BEST' opportunity you can use right now... Read More

5 Sure-Fire Ways to Make More Money on EBay

Have you ever dealt with a salesperson or a waiter... Read More

Why 95% of All eBay Sellers Fail

eBay is now the 8th most visited site on the... Read More

Affordable Online Car Auctions

Still hunting for the car of your dreams? Public car... Read More

eBay - Profiting With Books By Janette Oke

Janette Oke is a Christian writer whose books about life,... Read More

Selling Effectively on Ebay Motors

Remember back when selling online was a new experience? Dealers... Read More

3 Unusual Formats For Auctions on EBay

eBay users are accustomed to only two "standard" formats for... Read More

Image Hosting For Online Auctions

Use eBay picture service or host your own photos?If you... Read More

An Emerging Market in eBay Consignments: The eBay Trading Post (Part II In A Series)

In 2002, the eBay consignments business was born, referred to... Read More

Garage Sales, Flea Markets, and Special Events... Oh My!

The activity chart is an ingenious way to find, in... Read More

Use Auction Templates For eBay Success!

Auction templates are simply a must for successful online auction... Read More

Fed Up With eBay?

For many people, their first experience of working online involves... Read More

Start an Easy Home Business: Become an Ebay Trading Assistant

EBay's online auctions have created business opportunities for thousands of... Read More

How To Sell Internationally On eBay Without Risk

Many people just getting started on eBay have reservations when... Read More

10 Tips to Starting a Financially Successful Ebay Business Startting Right Now

Ebay is Perhaps the easiest and fastest way to start... Read More

Doing It eBay: An eBay Business Means Fun and Profits in a Global Marketplace

In 1995, when Pierre Omidyar introduced an online business venue... Read More

Importing Products to Sell on eBay

The interesting thing about online buyers is they are extremely... Read More

Auction Seller Guide To Success

When its time to clean-up around the house, some people... Read More

Online Auctions Business

Online auction sites are a great way to find a... Read More