eBay Buying Guide
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eBay is one of the best sources for older computers and computer components. While shopping on eBay is similar to shopping on other online marketplaces, eBay also has some unique features that may be unfamiliar to new users. This guide serves as a general primer to eBay, while also discussing specific tips and strategies for buying used computer components.
1. Types of Listings
1.1. Buy It Now Listings
1.2. Auctions
2. Search Strategies
2.1. Crafted Searches
2.2. Catch-All Searches
3. Special Listings
3.1. Mislisted Items
3.2 Lots
4. When Things Go Wrong
1.1. Buy It Now Listings
1.2. Auctions
2. Search Strategies
2.1. Crafted Searches
2.2. Catch-All Searches
3. Special Listings
3.1. Mislisted Items
3.2 Lots
4. When Things Go Wrong
1. Types of Listings |
Most eBay listings fall into one of two categories. In Buy It Now listings, sellers list items for sale at fixed prices. In auctions, buyers bid on an item, and the item is ultimately sold to the highest bidder. Some auctions also have a Buy It Now option that disappears as soon as the first bid is placed.
1.1 Buy It Now Listings |
Buy It Now listings on eBay are similar to listings on Amazon Marketplace: sellers set prices for items they wish to sell, and buyers can purchase items with the click of a button.
Sellers can also choose to accept offers on Buy It Now listings through the Best Offer feature. Using Best Offer, buyers may offer lower prices for items, and sellers may choose to accept, reject, or propose counteroffers.
As a buyer, it is generally a good idea to take advantage of the Best Offer feature whenever it is available, as it is often possible to negotiate significantly lower prices. Even if the seller rejects an offer, the item remains available at its original price. However, if an item is rare or in high demand, it may be safer to purchase it at full price before another buyer has a chance to do so. Sellers may take up to 48 hours to respond to an offer.
Sellers can also choose to accept offers on Buy It Now listings through the Best Offer feature. Using Best Offer, buyers may offer lower prices for items, and sellers may choose to accept, reject, or propose counteroffers.
As a buyer, it is generally a good idea to take advantage of the Best Offer feature whenever it is available, as it is often possible to negotiate significantly lower prices. Even if the seller rejects an offer, the item remains available at its original price. However, if an item is rare or in high demand, it may be safer to purchase it at full price before another buyer has a chance to do so. Sellers may take up to 48 hours to respond to an offer.
1.2 Auctions |
Auctions are timed listings without predetermined prices. While an auction is active, any eBay user may place a bid. When an auction ends, the user with the highest bid is obligated to purchase the item.
When bidding on an auction, a buyer may place a single incremental bid or set a maximum bid. When a buyer has set a maximum bid, eBay automatically matches other buyers' bids up to the specified limit.
An auction's popularity determines what level of bidding strategy is needed to win. A single incremental bid is often sufficient to win an inconspicuous auction, though it is safer to set a maximum bid. However, a different approach is needed for popular auctions, which may receive dozens of bids. These auctions are often decided in the final seconds in a strategy known as sniping.
Sniping involves waiting until the last possible second to place a winning bid, either manually or using an online service. This strategy takes advantage of eBay's rules for auctions, and generally guarantees a win. Sniping fails, however, when another buyer has set a maximum bid above the sniping bid. When multiple buyers snipe an auction, the last bid entered before the auction closes wins.
When bidding on an auction, a buyer may place a single incremental bid or set a maximum bid. When a buyer has set a maximum bid, eBay automatically matches other buyers' bids up to the specified limit.
An auction's popularity determines what level of bidding strategy is needed to win. A single incremental bid is often sufficient to win an inconspicuous auction, though it is safer to set a maximum bid. However, a different approach is needed for popular auctions, which may receive dozens of bids. These auctions are often decided in the final seconds in a strategy known as sniping.
Sniping involves waiting until the last possible second to place a winning bid, either manually or using an online service. This strategy takes advantage of eBay's rules for auctions, and generally guarantees a win. Sniping fails, however, when another buyer has set a maximum bid above the sniping bid. When multiple buyers snipe an auction, the last bid entered before the auction closes wins.
2. Search Strategies |
eBay's selection continuously changes as new listings are opened and old ones are closed. Thus, the most attentive buyers are most likely to find rare or unusual items, as well as unusually low prices on common items. Maintaining an awareness of what items are available on eBay requires familiarity with the site's search tool.
2.1 Crafted Searches |
When searching for a specific item on eBay, it is important to formulate a search that is neither too broad nor too narrow. For example, a novice buyer looking for a GeForce 6800 Ultra AGP might search for "6800 Ultra", but this search returns many unwanted results, including PCI-e video cards, Mac video cards, and items that are not video cards at all. However, an excessively narrow search such as "Nvidia GeForce 6800 Ultra AGP" may filter out valid search results, especially if the search is confined to a single product category.
Fortunately, eBay offers advanced search features that enable savvy users to craft more intelligent searches. Using the previous example of searching for a GeForce 6800 Ultra AGP, a better search would be "(Nvidia, GeForce) 6800 Ultra AGP -PCI - Apple -Mac". This search returns listings that contain all of the words 6800, Ultra, and AGP, either of the words Nvidia or GeForce, and none of the words PCI, Apple, and Mac. This search should filter out unwanted results while still retaining some level of flexibility.
Once a good search has been developed, it can be saved or "followed." Results from followed searches appear on the eBay home page, and can optionally be delivered in daily emails. Search following is an essential tool when hunting for rare items that appear on eBay very infrequently. If and when a rare item does appear, buyers with followed searches are the first to know.
Fortunately, eBay offers advanced search features that enable savvy users to craft more intelligent searches. Using the previous example of searching for a GeForce 6800 Ultra AGP, a better search would be "(Nvidia, GeForce) 6800 Ultra AGP -PCI - Apple -Mac". This search returns listings that contain all of the words 6800, Ultra, and AGP, either of the words Nvidia or GeForce, and none of the words PCI, Apple, and Mac. This search should filter out unwanted results while still retaining some level of flexibility.
Once a good search has been developed, it can be saved or "followed." Results from followed searches appear on the eBay home page, and can optionally be delivered in daily emails. Search following is an essential tool when hunting for rare items that appear on eBay very infrequently. If and when a rare item does appear, buyers with followed searches are the first to know.
2.3 Catch-All Searches |
An alternate eBay search strategy is to formulate a search that is intentionally broad. For example, a search for "AGP (graphics, card, video)" returns thousands of results, which should include nearly every AGP video card listed on the site. While it is not useful to follow a catch-all search, manually inspecting its results can lead to unusual opportunities.
To avoid browsing through dozens of pages of results, it is useful to sort catch-all search results by date, if looking for new listings, or by price ascending, if looking for exceptionally low prices. By periodically reviewing catch-all search results, dedicated buyers can find listings that even the best crafted searches may miss.
To avoid browsing through dozens of pages of results, it is useful to sort catch-all search results by date, if looking for new listings, or by price ascending, if looking for exceptionally low prices. By periodically reviewing catch-all search results, dedicated buyers can find listings that even the best crafted searches may miss.
3. Special Listings |
With patience, dedication, and a little luck, it is possible to find special eBay listings that offer rare or valuable items at prices far below market value. Two such categories of listings are mislisted items and lots.
3.1 Mislisted Items |
Some eBay listings contain mistakes such as typos, spelling errors, and incorrect model numbers. Because these listings often do not appear in the results of crafted searches, they may go unnoticed by most buyers. An item that would typically receive dozens of bids at auction might not receive any bids if it is mislisted. Locating mislisted items using catch-all searches thus presents an opportunity to win highly sought-after items for the minimum bid.
Some sellers also lack the technical knowledge to correctly identify computer components, or simply don't bother. As a result, common items are often listed at unreasonably high prices, but rare items are occasionally listed at very low prices. These listings also do not appear in the results of crafted searches, but can be discovered by periodically reviewing the results of catch-all searches.
Some sellers also lack the technical knowledge to correctly identify computer components, or simply don't bother. As a result, common items are often listed at unreasonably high prices, but rare items are occasionally listed at very low prices. These listings also do not appear in the results of crafted searches, but can be discovered by periodically reviewing the results of catch-all searches.
3.2 Lots |
Sellers sometimes list multiple computer components for sale as lots. Some lots list the names of the included items, while others simply list the numbers and types of items. In both cases, sellers may not take the time to individually price each item, so it is sometimes possible to purchase a lot containing a rare item for less than the item would typically cost on its own.
Lots that list item names can appear in the results of crafted searches. However, less descriptive lots are similar to mislisted items in that they only appear in the results of catch-all searches.
Lots that list item names can appear in the results of crafted searches. However, less descriptive lots are similar to mislisted items in that they only appear in the results of catch-all searches.
4. When Things Go Wrong |
While eBay was once known as a "buyer beware" environment, the company has taken steps in recent years to improve its public image. Today, shopping on eBay is no riskier than shopping on Amazon Marketplace. Most eBay sellers are eager to please, as buyer feedback has a significant effect on sales.
When eBay transactions occasionally turn sour, sellers usually work quickly to make things right. As an additional safety net, eBay almost always sides with buyers in disputed cases, and can force sellers to provide refunds.
When buying used computer components, common problems include items being damaged in the mail and items turning out to be different from what was listed. Sellers are obligated to provide refunds or replacements in both cases. Sellers are not, however, required to provide any reparations when an item sold "as-is" turns out to be DOA, or when items simply turn out not be what the buyer wanted. Careful shopping is still necessary to avoid bad deals and wasted expenses.
When eBay transactions occasionally turn sour, sellers usually work quickly to make things right. As an additional safety net, eBay almost always sides with buyers in disputed cases, and can force sellers to provide refunds.
When buying used computer components, common problems include items being damaged in the mail and items turning out to be different from what was listed. Sellers are obligated to provide refunds or replacements in both cases. Sellers are not, however, required to provide any reparations when an item sold "as-is" turns out to be DOA, or when items simply turn out not be what the buyer wanted. Careful shopping is still necessary to avoid bad deals and wasted expenses.