ONE STOP COLLECTABLES SHOP

So you are looking for a bargain on Ebay?

You want to buy something from Ebay, but you have heard it is risky, that all the Sellers are crooks and villains?

You have probably heard ALL the horror stories.

So what is the "truth"?

Let me ask you another question. When you drive a car, do you plug your seatbelt in?

Of course you do. Why? Because you know that is the "Safe" way to drive.

Ebay is exactly the same, if you know the "Safe" way to buy, then you will have an enjoyable and hopefully profitable experience!

We have gathered information from some of the most successful Sellers on the Auction Site; the following guide should snap that seatbelt shut.

Lets go through a transaction one step at a time.

You have searched on the site and found that missing "piece" from your collection, you have been looking for it for years and now here it is, "The Holy Grail" of your particular collecting field:

1. STOP and think! This is usually the first place trouble starts. You will be tempted to rush to secure that item.

2. It is recommended that you only buy low value items as you start out, set your budget low until you are confident and understand how to use Ebay in a completely safe manner.

3. First things first, check the Sellers feedback. (This is a record of comments left from every single one of the Sellers previous customers with either a positive or negative rating). Taking your time here could save you a lot of money.

* How many negatives, what do previous customers say in the negatives, how did the Seller respond to the complaints?
* Remember that bad Buyers proliferate as well, so balance the negative against the positive feedbacks, a quick guide is the percentage, 98% positive feedbacks is considered good, 99% is considered exceptional, 100% is quite rare.
* How long have they been trading on Ebay? Have they been selling antiques and collectables for long?
* The truth is that the vast majority of Ebay Sellers are good at what they do and have customer service that cannot be equalled in any other venue in the world.
* Ebay is one of the few locations where customer service is "recorded" in a permanent record for every one to see. It is called "Feedback" on Ebay.
* Imagine if every customer walked out of one of the retail giants and left a note of what they thought of the customer service and experience, in a place you could read. That is exactly what Ebay's feedback is.
* If you are inexperienced on Ebay, it is recommended that you buy from someone who has at least 150 feedbacks under their belt, at least until you are a bit more confident on the site.

4. Now, you should see an "About Me" icon next the Seller's id. If it is there, have a look as this often indicates the "personality" of the Seller; it is a page where the Seller has an opportunity to tell you about themself.

5. Go back to the main Auction page, now it is time to put your Sherlock Holmes cap on!  Double check the item is located in the UK, (don't attempt International Purchases until you have at least 10 transactions under your belt).

6. How much is the postage and packaging? Does it seem reasonable?

* Some Sellers will allow you to collect your item in person, but email and check before bidding if this is okay with the Seller; they have the right to refuse collection of an item.

7. Returns Policy? If the Seller doesn't offer a guarantee for the item, walk away. Don't think, just walk.

* Most reputable Sellers will offer a complete refund if the customer is not satisfied, some will offer the total amount including postage charges if you are not happy, some will offer a refund excluding postage.
* Be careful of Sellers who say: "Once its in the post - tough! If it don't turn up, don't come crying to me, go and see Royal Mail". Avoid these Sellers at all costs.
* Reputable Sellers will guarantee arrival of the item by sending it recorded and/or insured through the post.

8. Now we get to the interesting bit. Examination of the evidence!

* What does the Auction Description tell you?
* Does it state age, condition and any damage?
* Something to look out for is Sellers not stating the condition of any gilt decoration on pottery or porcelain as an example.
* If the description says AF (as found), pack your magnifying glass away.

9. Pictures, this is paramount, always make sure the pictures on the Auction are clear. If not again clarify any concerns you have. (If there is a blurred picture that looks like it has been taken in a bank of fog, then ask the Seller to send you some clearer pictures, if they refuse, walk away).

10. It is at this point you need to start questioning the Seller if you have any doubts or concerns. You will see a contact Seller button on the Auction page. Email them through this and ask them to clarify any unclear details that your "investigation" turned up.

11. Happy? Well now its bid time.

* Decide, as you would at any Auction, how much you are willing to pay,
* Make sure you include the postage cost in that final price calculation, bearing in mind that traditional costs of Antique sourcing often involve the expense of the Petrol for the car, food and other sundries, so whilst posting may seem expensive, remember you are shopping from the comfort of home.
* Ebay has extensive information in their help section on how to manage your bidding.
* Remember a bid placed is a legally binding contract, by bidding a Buyer is agreeing to the Sellers terms and conditions.

12. You placed your bid and you won!

13. So now you need to pay for the item!

* The Seller will usually contact you within 24 hours of the end of Auction with details on how to pay.
* If they accept Paypal, I would personally recommend you register a credit card with Paypal if you haven't already done so.
* This then will give you Buyer protection up to a certain amount. See www.Paypal.com for more information.
* Never send cash through the post.
* If paying by cheque, always include a copy of the end of Auction email in the envelope and write the Auction number of the item on the back of the cheque. Some Sellers sell hundreds of items a week, a lone cheque with no reference to what it is for will slow the transaction down considerably and create a lot of stress for the Seller as he tries to figure out, who sent the cheque.

14. It is at this point we have to make reference to a certain type of scam, as much as it saddens me, in any walk of life there will be someone who wants to part you from your money dishonestly.

* If you get an email asking you to engage in an off Ebay transaction at the end of the Auction, delete it.
* A Seller may send you a "Second Chance Offer" email if you were the under bidder and the original winning bid fell through.
* Be careful of fake "Second Chance Offer" emails, contact the Seller directly, (do not reply to the email - but contact them by logging into Ebay) and ask them to verify the offer.
* These are just simple approaches that will protect you from the few bad apples on the Internet.

15. The day finally arrives, the Seller has been paid, and the item has been posted.

* Most Sellers will notify you when they have dispatched the item.
* It is important to note at this point that if the item, (allow at least 14 days from payment being received and cleared if you paid by cheque).
* If the item, "Gets lost in the post", it is the Seller's duty to prove it has been posted.
* They will claim losses off of the Courier or Royal Mail and are obligated by the "Distance Selling Regulations" and you are entitled to a full refund by law.

16. Maybe it arrived but you weren't happy?

* Email the Seller in a polite way and explain the problem, if you want a refund arrange a return of the item. If they do not respond to an email, it may be a computer problem, stay calm and request their Contact Details from Ebay. They will have their phone number, and you will be able to call them direct.
* It is common practice for refunds to be issued once item has been returned to the Seller, always post returned items First Class Recorded or Special Delivery if possible, so that you can prove you have returned the item to the Seller.

17. Everything went well and you got the item, it was exactly as described and you are now a proud owner of an item that by your astute buying skills you got at a very low price.

18. What if it all went wrong? Well remember the reference to the Paypal Buyer Protection? This will protect you in this eventuality, (make sure you read all the terms and conditions first, it is very similar to credit card protection). 

So is Ebay a safe place to buy from?

Yes.... If you buy from a reputable Seller with experience on Ebay and you check all the information provided.

This is a personal transaction between you and that individual, Ebay have supplied the means for you to trade in as safe a manner as possible.

Make sure your payment is protected with some type of Buyer protection scheme.

Remember the Golden Rule:

If it is too good to be true, then it very likely is....

Mark Timberlake
www.onestopcollectablesshop.com

Further information on the Ebay Website:

http://pages.Ebay.co.uk/help/Ebayexplained/newtoEbay/index.html

Remember bid to win and have fun. :-)

We offer a 100% money back guarantee on all our sales.

If when you open your item you find you are not completely happy, or you feel it was not as described in the auction description, contact us immediately and we will refund ALL your costs (once item is returned).

We reserve the right to refund on returned items only.

We pride ourselves on our customer service and packaging; see our feedback for our customer’s comments :-)

Best Regards,