How Do I Buy Things on eBay?

[Kyocobra]

I'm sorry if I'm just another contributor to a massive number of eBay noobs posting topics on various forums, but hopefully these aren't too difficult to answer.

 

 

Anyway, I went on eBay for the first time yesterday and found some pretty cool deals; one of them is a bidding set to end in about 3 hours. Since eBay is a sketchy website in my opinion, I would just like some extra clarification and expectations before I bid. Here are a few of my questions as a buyer:

 

1. So let's say I bid x amount--do I have to prove I have the money beforehand or will eBay let me place it without question?

 

2. Then, assuming I win the bid, what happens? Must I contact the seller through email, tell them my address, and then make the payment through Paypal or something?

 

3. What if the seller does not send the item/does not respond to my emails? Will eBay easily handle that and give me a refund (to a certain price range)?

 

4. What if I were to win the bid, but not pay up? Would eBay get on my ass and call the cops?

 

5. On listings stating the price of shipping, and assuming I live in the region where it qualifies, will I actually be paying that amount (plus my bid)? Or can sellers somehow cheat their way into making me pay more money by somehow saying the shipping now costs say $20 instead of $3, $3 being the price posted in the listing?

 

6. Also, is there a preferred payment method? Which is the most secure for myself and the seller?

 

-Sorry if I don't know what I'm talking about

Thanks for your input!

[XTankSlayerX]

6. Also, is there a preferred payment method? Which is the most secure for myself and the seller?

PayPal

[Agazed]

1. Nope you don't need to prove it

2. You provide your shipping details to ebay and you can use Paypal or a credit/debit card

3. Yes ebay takes care of it

4. Nothing. Ebay would spam you though and the seller would try and contact you

5. Depends on the option he choose for shipping (Calculated by area, or one price)

6. Ebay prefers PayPal

[EthanTheFrogMan]

I'm sorry if I'm just another contributor to a massive number of eBay noobs posting topics on various forums, but hopefully these aren't too difficult to answer.

 

 

Anyway, I went on eBay for the first time yesterday and found some pretty cool deals; one of them is a bidding set to end in about 3 hours. Since eBay is a sketchy website in my opinion, I would just like some extra clarification and expectations before I bid. Here are a few of my questions as a buyer:

 

1. So let's say I bid x amount--do I have to prove I have the money beforehand or will eBay let me place it without question?

 

2. Then, assuming I win the bid, what happens? Must I contact the seller through email, tell them my address, and then make the payment through Paypal or something?

 

3. What if the seller does not send the item/does not respond to my emails? Will eBay easily handle that and give me a refund (to a certain price range)?

 

4. What if I were to win the bid, but not pay up? Would eBay get on my ass and call the cops?

 

5. On listings stating the price of shipping, and assuming I live in the region where it qualifies, will I actually be paying that amount (plus my bid)? Or can sellers somehow cheat their way into making me pay more money by somehow saying the shipping now costs say $20 instead of $3, $3 being the price posted in the listing?

 

6. Also, is there a preferred payment method? Which is the most secure for myself and the seller?

 

-Sorry if I don't know what I'm talking about

Thanks for your input!

1. as long as you have a payment method they don't. 

2. your address is given to them when you win the auction, if you win. they send the item to you, no need to email them

3.as long as you use paypal you are good, paypal will refund you 100% if you do not get the item or if it is not as described.

4. They would try to charge the payment method on file, and then blacklist the account

5. yes, shipping + bid.

6.paypal

[Guest]

1) You don't have to prove, but you have to pay if you are the winning bid and enter a legally binding contract through bidding. 

 

2) Once winning, you just click pay now, where you will pay through Paypal and then just wait to receive it. 

 

3) eBay will refund you if they decide in your favour, which would be the case if that happened. 

 

4) Not sure, but you'd certainly have issues with your eBay and PayPal account with holds and things

 

5) Nope, you only ever pay the winning bid or fixed amount, plus the shipping costs. In some cases, you may need to pay import charged but you're usually told prior. 

 

6) PayPal is the most preferred on eBay. 

[Godlygamer23]

1.) You put down a bid whether you have the money or not. If you don't pay for the product, the seller has the ability to go down to the next highest bidder.

 

2.)The address should already be in your account. Your address will be revealed if you win the bid and most people use PayPal for transactions.

 

3.)If the seller has no proof that they sent out the product, you can get a refund pretty easily.

 

4.) You don't get the product and the seller can open a case or move down to the next bidder.

 

5.)That's the amount you pay.

 

6.) PayPal.

[rtpb5642]

I'm sorry if I'm just another contributor to a massive number of eBay noobs posting topics on various forums, but hopefully these aren't too difficult to answer.

 

 

Anyway, I went on eBay for the first time yesterday and found some pretty cool deals; one of them is a bidding set to end in about 3 hours. Since eBay is a sketchy website in my opinion, I would just like some extra clarification and expectations before I bid. Here are a few of my questions as a buyer:

 

1. So let's say I bid x amount--do I have to prove I have the money beforehand or will eBay let me place it without question?

 

2. Then, assuming I win the bid, what happens? Must I contact the seller through email, tell them my address, and then make the payment through Paypal or something?

 

3. What if the seller does not send the item/does not respond to my emails? Will eBay easily handle that and give me a refund (to a certain price range)?

 

4. What if I were to win the bid, but not pay up? Would eBay get on my ass and call the cops?

 

5. On listings stating the price of shipping, and assuming I live in the region where it qualifies, will I actually be paying that amount (plus my bid)? Or can sellers somehow cheat their way into making me pay more money by somehow saying the shipping now costs say $20 instead of $3, $3 being the price posted in the listing?

 

6. Also, is there a preferred payment method? Which is the most secure for myself and the seller?

 

-Sorry if I don't know what I'm talking about

Thanks for your input!

1) no u dont need to prove u have the $ cause u have a credit card on ur paypal

2) When u win u pay by tapping "pay now" and it useses paypal u dont need to talk to the seller unless there is a problem of DOA or delivery

3)if seller ignores u ebay can step in, depends on the problem though

4) no its not just ethically right to do that, if the item is like over 1000$ the seller may sue u and ebay can block u

5) Yeah they can theoretically cheat u into paying more for shipping but it doesent usually happen

6) paypal only

 

 

heppy buying/selling

 

i use ebay daily almost

[Kyocobra]

Really great answers guys, I appreciate it!

 

This particular listing is meant for buying the same item but with the ability to choose which color I want.

 

"Please leave a message for which color you want!"

 

So what would I do here? Do I message the eBay user through email or through eBay itself? And should this be done prior to or after the bid has closed?

[EthanTheFrogMan]

Really great answers guys, I appreciate it!

 

This particular listing is meant for buying the same item but with the ability to choose which color I want.

 

"Please leave a message for which color you want!"

 

So what would I do here? Do I message the eBay user through email or through eBay itself? And should this be done prior to or after the bid has closed?

it should have an option to select the color, or just leave a message when you send him the paypal funds

[EthanTheFrogMan]

Really great answers guys, I appreciate it!

 

This particular listing is meant for buying the same item but with the ability to choose which color I want.

 

"Please leave a message for which color you want!"

 

So what would I do here? Do I message the eBay user through email or through eBay itself? And should this be done prior to or after the bid has closed?

as an example this item has color options, so there is a dropdown menu to select them:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-SOFT-SILICONE-RUBBER-CASE-SKIN-COVER-FOR-IPHONE-5-5S-BACK-COVER-/141405215678?var=&hash=item20ec685bbe

[Guest]

Really great answers guys, I appreciate it!

 

This particular listing is meant for buying the same item but with the ability to choose which color I want.

 

"Please leave a message for which color you want!"

 

So what would I do here? Do I message the eBay user through email or through eBay itself? And should this be done prior to or after the bid has closed?

 

In the PayPal transaction, you can leave a message to the seller. Or, just send them a message after or prior to the purchase.

[Kyocobra]

Y'all are amazing! Although I'm not replying directly, every answer helped, thanks so much!

[Guest]

Y'all are amazing! Although I'm not replying directly, every answer helped, thanks so much!

 

Yes, i am  we are

 

[Kyocobra]

Oh, one more thing!

 

If I were to win a bid, but not be present at the computer when it ends, will I still be able to pay the seller without them giving up on me? Maybe an hour-or-so later?

[EthanTheFrogMan]

Oh, one more thing!

 

If I were to win a bid, but not be present at the computer when it ends, will I still be able to pay the seller without them giving up on me? Maybe an hour-or-so later?

yes, most sellers have a 2 day period for payment, some have one, it should all be in the description.

[Kyocobra]

Thanks for all your help guys! I just one my first auction! <3

[sgtcool]

1. So let's say I bid x amount--do I have to prove I have the money beforehand or will eBay let me place it without question?

 

2. Then, assuming I win the bid, what happens? Must I contact the seller through email, tell them my address, and then make the payment through Paypal or something?

 

3. What if the seller does not send the item/does not respond to my emails? Will eBay easily handle that and give me a refund (to a certain price range)?

 

4. What if I were to win the bid, but not pay up? Would eBay get on my ass and call the cops?

 

5. On listings stating the price of shipping, and assuming I live in the region where it qualifies, will I actually be paying that amount (plus my bid)? Or can sellers somehow cheat their way into making me pay more money by somehow saying the shipping now costs say $20 instead of $3, $3 being the price posted in the listing?

 

6. Also, is there a preferred payment method? Which is the most secure for myself and the seller?

1. depends on the seller, if he sends right away, you can basicly get a free item

2.you get an option to pay for it right now, if you dont the seller can cancel your bid?

3.yes, they should, but i dont know how it works

4.no, the seller just wont send the item, if he does its his fault, ebay might lock your accaunt, congrats for free item!

5.yes they can, once saw a 80€ case , with shipping for 400€

6.ebay only uses paypal

 

correct me if wrong

 

 

i bid on some headphones, and didnt pay for the, the seller is still selling them lol