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:

Treasury Auctions Set for This Week
New York Times, United States - Jan 4, 2009
The Treasury’s schedule of financing this week included Monday’s regular weekly auction of new three- and six-month bills and an auction of four-week bills ...


Premium Tuna Sells for $104400 in Auction
Wall Street Journal - 3 hours ago
AP TOKYO -- Two sushi bar owners paid more than $100000 for a Japanese bluefin tuna at a Tokyo fish auction on Monday, several times the average price and ...


TelecomTiger

India May Delay 3G Auction, Raise Prices
BusinessWeek - 3 hours ago
India's long-awaited 3G and Wimax auctions may be delayed yet again, as the government considers doubling the floor price for prospective licensees. ...
mocoNews.net - More Possible Delays For India's 3G Auctions Washington Post
3G auction process delayed to 30 January, may fall further back TeleGeography
India Faces Further Delays to its 3G License Auction Cellular-News
Economic Times - Moneycontrol.com
all 17 news articles


The Market Oracle

TREASURIES-Longer bonds fall on auctions, issuance fears
Reuters - 14 hours ago
By John Parry NEW YORK, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Longer-maturity US Treasuries prices fell steeply on Monday, extending the previous session's sell-off as auctions ...
Big Year Coming For Bonds Forbes
Treasurys fall as investors brace for supply glut The Associated Press
BOND REPORT: Treasurys Move Higher As Fed Buys Mortgage Bonds CNNMoney.com
Cbonds. Info - Reuters
all 154 news articles


Tom James apologizes for auction rate security purchases
Bizjournals.com, NC - 12 hours ago
Clients of Raymond James Financial Inc. have substantially reduced their holdings of auction rate securities. The firm’s clients currently own about $1 ...
Raymond James ARS holders on hold InvestmentNews
Raymond James CEO says company can't buy back auction-rate securities Tampabay.com
all 5 news articles


Auction season is upon us -- Arizona division
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - 18 hours ago
This is auction frenzy time -- the big-deal auctioneers haul out their consigned collector cars and go for the biggest buck around. ...
Collector-car sales lined up Arizona Republic
all 2 news articles


Treasurys down as auctions loom
MarketWatch - 18 hours ago
The Treasury Department will announce at 11 am Eastern how much in three- and 10-year notes it will auction this week. , , ) on Wednesday, according to ...
Treasurys Continue to Slide Wall Street Journal
all 3 news articles


Spansion borrows $75M under auction-rate securities deal with UBS
San Jose Mercury News,  USA - 6 hours ago
Auction-rate securities (ARS) are typically typically corporate or municipal bonds with a long-term maturity horizon whose interest rates are reset ...


Online Auctions Profit From Madoff Misfortunes
RedOrbit, TX - 11 hours ago
He said he buys Madoff labeled items and resells them on the online auction site. He recently purchased a humidor from the manufacturer before it went en ...


EDDIE VAN HALEN To Auction A Pair Of 1956 Chevy Classics - Jan. 5 ...
Blabbermouth.net, NY - 13 hours ago
The 1956 Chevy 210 (Lot #1259) and 1956 Chevy Nomad (Lot #1259.1) will each be auctioned with matching, one-of-a-kind EVH Brand "Wolfgang" guitars and a ...

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