Common Misconceptions About Shopping on eBay
"I'll be spammed to death!"
Years ago, this was true. I was very hesitant at first and took caution opening a Paypal account. My first 25 purchases were made using money orders, but this quickly became a hassle. I then opened a Paypal account and have been on a roll for the past five years as a buyer and a seller.
"I'll be spammed to death!"
Years ago, this was true. I was very hesitant at first and took caution opening a Paypal account. My first 25 purchases were made using money orders, but this quickly became a hassle. I then opened a Paypal account and have been on a roll for the past five years as a buyer and a seller.
I have several e-mail accounts, and I recommend that others do the same. I use one email account exclusively for Paypal and another email account for communication through eBay."It's just a big online garage sale!"
Yes, there are plenty of sellers on eBay pilfering items that have been laying around their garages, attics and basements. However, there are several retailers that purchase items at wholesale prices directly from the manufacturer and then sell them online.
Many times these sellers are able to sell their items for significantly less than the manufacturer's suggested retail price. This is because they have less overhead than retailers with traditional store-fronts. When I am shopping on eBay, I like to first find out the suggested retail price, for example, by visiting the manufacturer's website. With this knowledge, I then know when I find a good deal, ensuring that I do not overbid on an item.
"The bidding process is a hassle!"
Some people are just not the auction type. They just want to get in, get their item, and get out! If this sounds like you, I recommend that you keep an eye out for the "Buy It Now" auctions or shop "eBay Stores," which utilizes the BIN type purchase.
"You can't trust eBay sellers."
When purchasing anything online, whether from eBay or another online vendor, it is always a good idea to be cautious. There are a couple of things that you can do to protect yourself...
One, consider signing up for a Paypal account. You can fund a Paypal account several ways, for example, by transferring funds from your checking or savings. You can also register a credit card with Paypal and when you make a purchase, Paypal will charge your credit card. Your bank account information and credit card numbers are never shared with the seller.
Before bidding or buying an item on eBay, you should also check out the feedback left by others regarding the seller. The seller's feedback score, along with comments left by others, can alert you to potential problems that you may have with the seller.
Final Thoughts...
Shopping on eBay is a lot of fun! So is selling... If you have avoided getting an eBay account, there's no time like the present to open one. It doesn't take a lot of time to register, and you will be "good to go" if you ever come across an auction for that one item that you can't live without.
