The Internet allows us to buy comfortably from the sofa at home. Simply use one of the platforms that exist or access the web of our supermarket to refill the fridge. In this case, we show you how to buy on eBay in 3 easy steps.
If you have always wanted to buy online but do not feel completely comfortable or comfortable on these platforms, we offer several tips so you have a secure purchase at the best price.
How to buy on eBay in 3 easy steps
eBay is the leading Internet auction site, although you can also purchase new items. Therefore, you can enter into an auction process or consult a product with a closing price. In any case, with these tips, you will save a lot of money. Let’s know how to buy on eBay. Do you have a car? Learn to save and earn money with your car
Register
If you have never purchased on this platform, the first step will be to create a user. This is what you should keep in mind when creating your profile as a buyer or seller.
Create your user account
Through the “Register” link we will access a simple form in which we will introduce the most basic data, such as the e-mail address, our name, and password. Now we have created a very simple user profile, with a pseudonym created at random, with which we can already buy on eBay. However, if you are going to use the platform often, you need to fill in a few more details.
In addition to managing our data, in the user account, we can see the purchase history or our reputation based on the behavior in buying or selling processes, expressed by a numerical score. It is a way to guarantee the reliability of the buyers.
Check your pseudonym
The pseudonym is our username on eBay, which may not be the same as with our real name. When doing the registration, the platform assigns us a random name, so you may want to change it. To do so, we enter our user profile, access the personal data option in the left panel and locate the pseudonym.
If we wish, we can also add a profile photo or our bank details so that whenever we go to buy on eBay we do not have to fill in the form again.
The password is important
One of the worst things that can happen to us when we register on a platform of this type is that someone accesses our profile without our permission, and therefore have access to our personal and even bank data. To prevent that from happening it is important to use a secure password.
Avoid using passwords that are too simple or that have something to do with your most basic data (such as your name, your pet’s name or your address). It combines uppercase, lowercase, and numbers so that the key is even stronger.
Add shipping addresses
To speed up your buying or selling processes, in the configuration panel of our account we can also add shipping addresses. Thus, every time you have to enter an address you will have the option to autocomplete the data with one of those addresses. Remember that you can set one as the main one to be selected by default
Buy
Now comes the most fun: how to buy on eBay. More experienced users look for auctions to find real bargains, but if you have never used the platform it is better not to rush.
Choose the product
It may seem obvious, but first, we must be clear about what we are going to buy. It is easy to get lost and end up buying something we do not need, so it is advisable to limit our search to the maximum. Otherwise, if we introduce very general terms such as “digital camera”, we will get thousands of results and we will ignore the best options.
Set the price
If it is an auction process, we must first take a look at the market to see what is being paid for that same product. You do not have to do an exhaustive study, you just have to search for products whose auction has ended. That will give you an idea of what you are willing to pay for the item.
In the event that the product is new and has a closed price, we will not have that problem. In any case, take your time until you find the ideal item.
Check the status of the product
If the product is new, you do not need to worry, but if it’s second-hand there are a few things you should keep in mind. Do not hesitate to ask the seller for photos if you are not sure of the status of the product and check that the item comes with all its accessories and the original invoice.
That the seller retains the original packaging is a point in favor, and that is that it indicates that it has given little use or that it has saved as it should.
Evaluate the seller
Something that can be very useful is to check the opinion of users about a seller or buyer and see that you have received enough positive votes. Here there may be a trick, and that is that many sellers buy cheap items to get a good percentage of votes, votes that are from other sellers.
There are specialized forums that allow us to check if a seller or a buyer enjoys a good reputation. Take a look and do not hesitate to ask.
Beware of the language
We mean that you do not need to buy an item in Spain to make it cheaper. Do not worry about the waiting time, because contrary to what many believe, the product will take a couple of days to arrive, at the most. Another advantage of buying outside of Spain is that there are many more options for a second-hand item.
However, the main problem remains the language. As a general rule, we make a diagonal reading of the products and do not look at the details. The seller may specify that the item is not working properly or that it is broken, but we have overlooked it. Read the description well and use automatic translators such as Google Translate if necessary.
Pay
Now comes the most difficult part: pay. First of all, you should know that the eBay payment gateway is completely secure and that is why it is the most important auction portal. If you still have doubts, we recommend the following.
Order payment in PayPal
It is the safest way to buy on eBay. This purchasing system is associated with your bank account or card, but that data is provided to PayPal and not to the seller in question. If a problem arises, PayPal has a claim system within 45 days after payment.
Check shipping costs
To attract users to your product, some sellers put a very low initial price but they apply very high shipping costs. If the shipping costs do not appear in the description, always contact the seller to confirm the final price. Also, consider if you can get in touch with an acquaintance in the seller’s area to save those expenses.
VAT and other taxes
Any product purchased outside the European Union will pass through Customs control when it arrives in Spain. There are two possibilities: that casually avoid going through that control or that taxes such as VAT are applied, increasing the purchase price by up to 23%.
There are several tricks on how to buy on eBay, although they may not work. Some are to mark the package as a gift, as a sample or as a user equipment.
Dear tech lovers, read also: http://gadget-live.com/3-electronic-devices-that-work-as-spy-camera/