eBay

[Tj]

Call this a general discussion about eBay, I guess, but I'm starting the thread to ask if anyone could give me some help with using it? Basically, I want to buy something, but I don't know what the best way to bid is. I understand the thing about entering a maximum bid and letting eBay do it for you from there, but should I do that now, or should I wait until the last minute or something? It's currently at ?51 with about a day left.

Also, paypal. The seller will only accept paypal payments, it says, so I signed up for a paypal account, but they didn't ask me for my credit card number or anything. I don't get it. Do they only ask for credit card details after you win the auction?

[anythinggoes]

with Ebay i do one of two things i either start out and put the maximum i would be willing to pay straight away and see what happens or i wait until the last minute and put a bid both ways normally work well another check is to see how many times the item has been viewed this gives some indication of popularity.
With regards to paypal i believe once you purchase something with paypal it asks you for credit card details not when you sign up.

[Izzy]

U always bid with less than 10 seconds to go - if u enter your maximum with days to go people keep bidding and u end up paying twice what u could have, just find out when the auction is about to finish and log in then, lost track of how many times i've had to be up at 3am.....

As for paypal its very straightforward - just follow the instructions, it then takes a day or two to check ur account (it promises to return the money it takes but never did with me  )

There really is no way u can do it wrong.....

[Tied-Up]

As an active seller on ebay, I will offer this advice to the first time buyer:
1.  You don't necessarily want to wait for the last 10 seconds, as previously suggested.  I used to do this, and it has backfired on me, because sometimes connections are slow and you miss the boat.  If there are no bids on an item, you should bid on it, because this will help bring out the other would be snipers, so that you know if you are going to have heavy competition for an item.  If you do have heavy competition for an item, you can decide at that point if it's going to be worthwhile for you to try to win the bid.
2.  Also, check a seller's other items, and if applicable, thier ebay store.  Sometimes, they will have the same item that you want for "Buy it now" at a price you'd be willing to buy, and you can get your item without having to wake up at 3 am to make sure you get your bid in on time. 
3.  When checking out an item that several sellers are selling, a good way to balance who to buy from is not necessarily the price alone, check the feedback also.  There are some unsavory eBayers out there, sadly, and the feedback will show you how long that seller has been on ebay (if a history has been established, that seller is more likely to follow through with the deal). 
4.  Finally, when using paypal... you may want to purchase the additional insurance (which is a small percentage of the actual sale), especially if you are buying from a seller that might be questionable.  This way, at least, your money is safe if you don't actually receive what you've bought.

I started out as a buyer on ebay, and there have been several purchases that I've made where I've been cheated, mostly because my husband bought from people who were not trustworthy.  This is why my #4 is very important. 

Hope this helps.   

[Tj]

Argh, I have another question (Thanks for all the advice so far, by the way  )...

Can I use a visa electron card? That's all I've got. A minute ago, I decided I didn't like eBay, so I went onto a website and tried ordering a firsthand version of the product, but that website said it won't accept visa electron, does anyone know if eBay/Paypal is the same? 

[Hammy]

A quick Ebay query for those in the know, if you win a bid on something, no matter how low is the seller still required to make the sale, even if it's a stupid price.  I only ask because there's 2 tickets to a gig i want to go to and there's not much time left and they're only at ?0.99 at the moment......

[Evolution]

If he hasn't put a reserve price on the tickets he is legally bound to sell them.

[Hammy]

If he hasn't put a reserve price on the tickets he is legally bound to sell them.

Awesome, bargain of the year coming up....


...hopefully

[Jim]

I think, he can cancel the auction before the end and suffer whatever hell has to offer, but once it's over then The Champ (ha) is right, and it's all legal...

But, actually. I have no idea.

[Hammy]

I think, he can cancel the auction before the end and suffer whatever hell has to offer, but once it's over then The Champ (ha) is right, and it's all legal...

But, actually. I have no idea.

He better not cancel, that would just, be, twat like.....

...as for that champ comment, that nearly made me

.....after this game you know when you use that term you'll be refering to me......remember that Doink

[Jim]

I knew it would. 

Anyway, so what is it you're bidding on................

[Hammy]

I knew it would.?

I'll get my own back.....

....when you're least expecting it

Anyway, so what is it you're bidding on................

I'll tell you tomorrow after it's finished, i don't wanna get out bid at the last minute by someone from here

[Jim]

Well, as we both know, that's the only reason I asked.

How long until it finishes?

I'll see if I can find it, using some educated guesses...

And then hike the price up accordingly. 

[Evolution]

*Censored* tickets?

[Jim]

He doesn't want the world to know, genius. 

[Evolution]

I guessed right?? 

[Jim]

Well, I guess so.

I did a search, and it fits the price...

[Evolution]

I found two and looked thru their purchases. I want to know which one is him. Cause both have weird buys 

[Jim]

I found two and looked thru their purchases. I want to know which one is him. Cause both have weird buys 

 

Anything good, like a Superman costume or something?

That would probably be Stoned.

[Evolution]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1468&item=5655339922


or


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=42211&item=7739518599


If he is the bastard with 41 deals on e-bay, Stoned sure loves.........stones?