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:

Goodwill to manage state's unclaimed property auctions
nwitimes.com
INDIANAPOLIS | Unclaimed property turned over to the Indiana attorney general from forgotten safe deposit boxes and other sources can now be purchased through an online auction site run by Goodwill Industries. Items up for auction this week include ...

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Business Recorder

Treasury yields ease ahead of U.S. debt auction
MarketWatch
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Washington Post
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Ritchie Bros. to conduct first Tipton auction of 2012 the day after World Ag Expo
MarketWatch (press release)
Tipton auction site on Friday, February 17 Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers (nyse and tsx:RBA), the world's largest auctioneer of farm, construction and other equipment, will conduct an unreserved public auction at its Tipton, CA auction site on February 17, ...

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Moneycontrol.com

'If auction was rigged, Modi must take the blame'
Times of India
Just because you run the show, you try and rig auctions, retain players, take last minute irrational decisions and don't even give the frustrated franchise a hearing. Who will do business on such conditions," asks a franchise owner. It was, of course, ...
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Telegraph.co.uk

Green auction expected to raise millions for environment
Reuters
By Chris Michaud | NEW YORK (Reuters) - Bidders will be able to buy fine art, a vacation in the Maldives, or an internship with designer Donna Karan and help the planet at the same time in Christie's annual Green Auction, which is expected reap ...
Christie's Elizabeth Taylor auction boosts digital biddingTelegraph.co.uk
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Daily Mail

Records tumble at Christie's art sale
Reuters
According to preliminary figures, Christie's overall sold art worth 135.0 million pounds (slightly under $214 million), topping the high estimate of 127.1 million pounds as the London art world enters a two-week period of auctions that are off to a ...
Elizabeth Taylor Pieces Outdo EstimatesWall Street Journal
Elizabeth Taylor's collection of Van Gogh, Pissarro and Degas masterpieces set ...Daily Mail

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Billionaire Bargain: A $35 Million Scottsdale Mansion At An 85% Discount
Forbes
The Happy Valley Estate will head to auction this Saturday, on February 11. Hosted by Concierge Auctions, the New York, NY-based luxury auction house, the starting bid for the desert manse is a fraction of the original listing price: $5 million.
Scottsdale mansion being sold at 85 percent offKTAR.com

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MarketInvoice Completes Five Million Pounds of Auctions Within 12 Months of Launch
Sacramento Bee
By MarketInvoice Ltd Online auction platform MarketInvoice has completed over five million pounds worth of auctions to UK SMEs within a year of launch. With over 150 auctions to over 60 UK SMEs, MarketInvoice has helped many small businesses within the ...

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Hindustan Times

Sahara open to negotiations as far as Pune Warriors is concerned
Times of India
Sahara India ended its 11-year-old financial ties with the BCCI and also pulled out of the IPL auction last weekend after it accused the Cricket Board of not giving due consideration to its genuine grievances. "If really needed I will not give a second ...
Open for talks on IPL but no sponsorship deal: Subroto RoyEconomic Times
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Shock before IPL auctions, Sahara dumps Pune, Team IndiaHindustan Times
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Former Hungry Peddler restaurant set for auction
NewsOK.com
The auction starts Thursday at 10 am Everything in the building, including wall décor, a phone booth and an antique bar, will be sold and the structure will be razed. BY JENNIFER PALMER jpalmer@opubco.com Leave a comment The former Hungry Peddler, ...

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