An eBay Primer. Review on Ebay

If you're not familiar with eBay, it's time you join the crowd, you'll be glad you did. There is something for everyone at this auction site-- for buyers and sellers alike, whatever it is, you can find it or sell it.

eBay's web site

There are many features on this site, but if you're a novice, fear not, it's simple to use. Everything you could need for your buying or selling experience is clearly listed and available for you at the click of a mouse.

-Browse: You may look through the millions of items listed or simply enter key words and find exactly what it is you're looking for.

-Sell: Selling an item is easy, and everything you need to do so is there for you to use, from help to listing descriptions.

-How-Tos: If you're new to eBay, you may want to check out this feature. It gives you tips and explanations on just about anything you might have a question about regarding the site, buying, selling, or watching items.

Joining eBay

Joining eBay is easy, simply choose a username, password, and fill out your personal information: name, address, email address, etc. You can only use a web-based email client if you provide your credit card information, otherwise, you must use your ISP provided email address.

Bidding

Once you've found an item you absolutely must have, read the item description, the seller's profile and the seller's feedback. If you've already got an eBay account, log yourself in, if you haven't, time to sign up. Make a bid on the item. Minimum bid is listed for you, you may also do a reserved bidding, where you enter the maximum amount you're willing to pay for the item, and eBay bids the minimum required amount for you to bid, if anyone out bids you, but you're maximum amount is higher than their bid, you still will be winning the item.

Watching Items

Want to buy an item on eBay, but you don't want to bid yet? Or are you curious as to an item that's similar to one you want to sell will do? Use the ''watch this item'' feature. It allows you to check the status of as many items as you wish, each time you log into eBay. It's listed on your ''My eBay'' page.

Buying on eBay

Buying is easy, once you've bid on an item, watch it, or check back a few minutes before the auction is to end, and win the auction. Once you've won, you should contact the seller, or vice versa, to arrange payment and shipping.

Before you buy an item, you should make sure the details of payment and shipping are clearly stated by the seller. If they aren't, before you bid on an item you should contact the seller to make certain that you have things cleared up before you buy the item. Also, many sellers will only ship within the country, so if you don't live in that country, you should email the seller to ask if they will make an exception.

Selling on eBay

If you want to sell an item, you should figure out where it should be listed, by searching the directory until you find where it would fit. Enter a description of what it is you want to sell, a picture if you like, payment options, shipping guidelines, beginning bid, minimum bid, and many optional thing, such as showcasing the item, ''buy it now'', etc. eBay doesn't allow you to sell for free, but it doesn't charge you up front, if you sell your item(s) eBay will charge you a percentage of what you made.

eBay Security

The eBay site is rather secure, as an auction web site should be, and it is among the most secure of sites, within it's genre.

Feedback

Both buyers and sellers have feedback. You can have positive, negative, or neutral feedback. This is a great feature. You should use it when interacting with buyers and sellers alike. You don't want to buy from a seller that's had a lot of negative feedback. If you have a good interaction with someone on eBay, you should definitely leave him/her positive feedback, likewise if you have a negative experience.

eBay Profile

Customizable profiles are what eBay has. You can add text, an image, and even backgrounds to your profile, so it's more like something of your own, like your own personal web page.

''My eBay''

This is a good feature. Any item you're involved with, whether you're watching, buying, or selling is listed here for you to check on, as well as your profile, and your feedback.

Geovolt's Buying and Selling Tips

Whether you're planning on buying or selling at eBay, you should make sure every detail involving the auction is clear. You don't want to be unsure about anything. Sellers should make sure everything is stated clearly in their item profile, payment methods, shipping, and anything else. Also, be clear about any defects or special items. You want to make sure your buyers know exactly what it is they are getting and how they are getting it.

In most cases, the buyer pays shipping costs, and if they want it shipped via a special method, they should pay accordingly, however, in some cases, the seller pays shipping, or it's already included in the item's price. Buyers should make sure payment methods are clear before they bid. Will you be paying for shipping? Will there be any extra or hidden costs? Is the seller willing to ship to your location, and if so, will that be an extra cost? All of these questions should be answered before you bid on an item.