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Auction
sites - Top tips
You
can buy just about anything from an open on-line auction web
site these days. If you have items you no longer need, you can
also sell them in an open on-line auction. EBay
is probably the most widely known, but Yahoo and Amazon also
hold open auctions.
Here are a few tips and hints to make sure you successfully
use the auction.
Buying
1.
If there's a particular item you want, make sure you know it
value beforehand. It is very easy to get carried away and pay
more than the item is worth, so some homework is in order.
2. Remember the maxim "If something seems too good to be
true - it probably is". You should be able to email a seller
and ask them questions before you commit yourself to a bid.
3. Make sure the description is in full. If some information
is not included, do not assume that it is unimportant. If you
want to buy a camouflage jacket for a child, you don't want
to find you've bought one to fit an action-man toy because the
size was not clear!
4. Don't forget to allow for any delivery charges. These should
be clearly stated at the beginning, or a seller may charge inflated
delivery costs to increase their profit or to make up any shortfall
in the final selling price.
5. Make sure the seller has a reputable history. The auction
web sites are usually self-regulating and will give a seller
a rating that indicates the satisfaction of other buyers.
6. Some auction sites will allow you to make an initial bid
and then set an upper limit. This will mean you achieve your
purchase for the least amount but can't overspend.
7. Don't be tempted to increase your bids by large amounts.
If the seller requires a bid of "more than £10",
you need only add a few pence. You could succeed with a bid
of £10.10 rather than, say, £15. Also, be aware
that some sellers will use fake bids in order to achieve a higher
price. You may find yourself bidding against someone who has
no intention of buying the item.
8. If you can stand the suspense, leave your bid till the last
minute. You may be able to buy the item for a fraction over
the last bidder. This does require some nerve if you are really
keen to buy a particular item.
9. For additional security, use your credit/debit card to pay
for the item and under no circumstances give anybody your full
Bank details or PIN number.
10. Keep any correspondence until you receive your goods and
are happy with them. You may find it difficult to contact the
seller if you have lost their postal/email address and want
to return the goods.
11. If you do have an unfortunate experience, be aware that
any comment you make in your feedback is available to others
and you may achieve a "reputation" yourself that will
mean other sellers will avoid you!
Selling
1.
Make sure you understand how the open auction site is run and
what is expected from you as a seller. Different auctions will
have different rules, but most have items they refuse to offer
for sale. e.g. live animals.
2. Spend some time as a buyer to achieve a good reputation,
that way buyers will be confident of bidding for your goods.
3. Look through the auction web site for the item you want to
sell. If there are too many for sale, you may not be able to
sell yours. Also, you can see what prices other sellers expect
to receive and see if your asking price is reasonable.
4. Don't flood the market with too many of the same item. Supply
and demand does work, so too many on offer will drive the price
down.
5. Describe your goods fairly and accurately and, if possible,
include a photograph. If there is any damage or a flaw, describe
it. It is far better to be honest and retain a buyer than have
a disappointed buyer who return goods to you as not being as
they were described. This will also affect your reputation with
the auction site.
6. Make sure your description will attract buyers by using "keywords".
Buyers will search on certain words to find the items they want
to buy, so make sure these words appear in your description.
7. Longer time scales may ensure you sell your goods, so make
sure they run over evenings and weekends when most people will
be browsing. Too short a time may mean you miss a sale.
8. Wrap your items securely for delivery and ensure that their
value is covered by insurance, whether by the Post Office or
a Courier company. If not, buy the insurance necessary to cover
the value of the goods in case they either don't arrive or arrive
broken.
9. Make life as easy as possible for a prospective buyer by
offering a fast email response to questions and accepting credit
card payment. Once an item is sold, send the item as soon as
payment is received.
10. Retain copies of all the correspondence and proof of postage
until you are sure the item has been received and the whole
transaction has been completed to everyone's satisfaction.
eBay.co.uk
With millions of items listed & traded daily, it's easy
to find what you're looking for and bag a bargain on the world's
online marketplace. Click
here to get bidding!
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