If you’re itching to try eBay, be warned: The online auction site is a cinch to use, and it’s almost impossible to tear yourself away once you get started. Figuring out the fine points is part of the bliss, but here are basics, and a few more warnings, to get you started:
Step 1
LOG ON
Register for free at eBay.com. Give your name and address and provide a user ID and password. Then it’s off and bidding.
Step 2
SEARCH
You can use the eBay categories, from antiques to video games, or type in your own search words. “Betsey Johnson vintage,” or “tapestry coats,” for example. Scads of items, with teensy photos, will appear in order of how much bidding time is left. The first item could show, say, one minute left (work fast!); the last might show nine days.
Step 3
CHECK DETAILS
Call up the item and read the description thoroughly. Check size and condition carefully. Also check shipping costs; they can bite, and they’re not part of the bid. See how and when payment is required. Some sellers want it right away, while others are more generous. You might be asked to pay by check or money order, but most sellers go for PayPal payments. Go to paypal.com and set up an account that transfers money.
Step 4
PLACE A BID
The listing will show how many bids are placed and what the top bid is. Decide your price and type in your bid. You can do what we addicts do–bid a smidgen over the top bid, keep checking hour after hour to see if we have been outbid, then rebid until time’s up. Or you can bid the most you’re willing to pay and take your chances. Under rare circumstances, you can retract a bid.
5 Step
WATCH & WAIT
Bids start flying in during the last few minutes; it can get ugly, so be ready. Those bidders who are the lowest of the low hold off on bidding until literally the last seconds, then sneak in a bid. They’re called snipers, and no one likes them. If you’re such a cut-throat, go audition for “The Apprentice” and let the rest of us have our eBay.
Step 6
GOOD BUY!
If you get your item and hate it, you’re kind of stuck, unless it clearly does not match the description. Then you can deal directly with the seller or go through eBay channels to get your money back, or you can simply leave a nasty feedback message. Feedback scores and messages are very public, so good feedback is of primo importance.
