The Ten Commandments of eBay
By: Robert King
When people use eBay, there are some rules that should be considered when buying or selling. Here are The Ten Commandments of eBay.
- I
Don’t submit an offer less than 70% of the posted value
No seller likes it when buyers are ridiculously cheap. If an item is listed for ‘$40 or best offer,’ don’t go below $28. If you can’t afford used items at used prices, get off of eBay.
- II
Do pay on the same day the offer is accepted.
Seller’s don’t want to wait more than two days for you to pay up. If you don’t pay within the 48 hours the seller can only relist it to other buyers, and eBay will still take a fee from the seller at the end of the month.
- III
If an item has free shipping, don’t ask for a lower price.
Odds are, the seller will use some of the money from the listed price to pay to ship your purchase to you.
- IV
Do not ask for a lower price if there isn’t a best offer option.
Sellers don’t like to be bartered with unless they have allowed the option to ask for a better deal. If an item isn’t getting any watchers, the seller will adjust the listing accordingly.
- V
Don’t ask for alternative shipping
If you do this, a seller has to recalculate and examine your preferred shipping method. Most sellers use the fastest and cheapest shipping they have access to. If it isn’t fit for you, don’t buy it.
- VI
Serious bids only
Don’t bid for an item if you don’t plan on paying in case you win. This is the same concept as the buyer who doesn’t pay for an accepted best offer.
- VII
If you can’t pay in the same day, let your seller know
Sellers like it best when you communicate with them. If you let them know you can’t pay until the next day, tell them so they aren’t left waiting.
- VIII
Always list items honestly
Be sure to include as many details as possible and mention any imperfections. Photograph it if possible. It is also important to smell the item. No one likes receiving a purchase that reeks of cigarettes when the listing did not mention the odor.
- IX
Use a shipping service that includes tracking
Buyers like it best when they know where their purchase is located and when they can expect it to arrive.
- X
Use appropriate shipping materials
Buyers don’t like when their purchase shows up in a padded envelope, unless the item is appropriate for an envelope. Boxes and bubble wrap are surprisingly cheap at stores like Walmart. Use them and make sure to include the cost of shipping materials in the listed price.