Online Auction Tips
From LoveToKnow Online
Online auctions provide an exciting marketplace for everything from the latest fashions to obscure collectibles.
Online Auction Tips
There are just a few tips to keep in mind for an enjoyable and safe online auction experience.
Look Carefully
Read auction descriptions and look at any pictures provided, so you know exactly what you’re bidding on. In addition to reading the product description carefully, make sure you read through any terms and conditions provided by the seller to find out which methods of payment are accepted, how and when items are shipped and other important details. Saying that you didn’t read the seller’s terms won’t help you if you find a requirement disagreeable after you’ve won the auction.
Pay attention to when the auction ends, especially if you want a chance to get in a last-minute bid.
Ask Questions
If you have any questions about a product after reading the description, contact the seller. This will prevent disappointment and may keep you from buying something you don’t really want.
Watch Out For Shipping Costs
When you’re figuring out how much you want to bid on an item, don’t forget to include any shipping and handling fees when calculating your final price. When it comes to shipping, you need to read the fine print and never assume anything.
Shipping and handling fees can vary widely. If you’re purchasing a rare porcelain figurine, then it’s feasible that a $10 shipping charge will pay for yards of bubble wrap, a sturdy box and insurance. If you’re buying a worn-out paperback book and the seller is charging you $10 to ship it, he or she is most likely making some extra money through “handling fees.”
Some of the worst offenders purposely start auctions at a low price to draw in page views, but they tack on exorbitant shipping and handling fees. You may think you’ve found a hidden treasure when you come across a DVD selling for a penny, but then you realize shipping and handling on the item is $14.99. On eBay, this is considered “fee avoidance” since sellers pay fees based on the selling price of an item, not the shipping and handling costs, and it is against the rules. There are so many auctions on eBay, though, that these types of auctions slip through the system all the time.
Follow Through
If you win an auction, communicate with the seller and pay promptly. An auction bid is a binding contract. Not only is a non-paying bidder an annoyance for sellers, but if you don’t follow through on your commitment, you run the risk of being banned from the auction site.
Watch Out For Fakes
Online auctions sometimes bring out the seedier element, looking to make a quick buck on illegal products. When you think of “counterfeits” you may think of antiques and other high-priced items, but auction sellers are more likely to try to pass off fake designer clothing and bootleg CDs and DVDs. If a Prada bag is selling for $49.99, it’s probably not the real thing. If a “box set” of your favorite television series comes on a suspiciously small number of DVDs, it’s most likely a bootleg. If you’re undecided, look carefully at the seller’s feedback to see if any buyers have mentioned potentially counterfeit products.
Your best defense against buying an illegal item is to be an informed consumer, whether you’re buying Bakelite or Barbie dolls. Know your products, and be cautious of “too good to be true” deals.
Know Your Prices
Don’t get so caught up in bidding that you pay more for an item than it’s currently selling for at online retailers or brick-and-mortar stores. Sure it’s being shipped straight to your door, but is that convenience worth paying $20 more than you’d pay for a toy on clearance at Target? Check out price comparison sites like Froogle and Shopping.com to get an idea of the current selling price of anything you may want to buy.
Again, don’t forget to include the cost of shipping and handling in the final price of an item. It doesn’t do you any good to save $3 on a skirt only to pay $5 more in shipping costs.
Have Fun
Don’t get discouraged by the potential pitfalls of auctions. Be a smart shopper, and you can have fun exploring the world of online auctions.
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This page has been accessed 1,425 times. This page was last modified 00:36, 29 September 2009.
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