A Basic Guide on Buying Safe and Authentic - On eBay

A BASIC GUIDE ON BUYING SAFE AND AUTHENTIC - ON EBAY
BY: seriously_funky_clothes
Online auction house eBay has over 70 million shoppers worldwide and if you are planning on buying something off eBay then this can be a daunting experience. Buying without any knowledge about online shopping can often leave a buyer open to fraudsters or scams. Plus the biggest problem buyers have is that they are not covered by the same consumer protection rules that retail stores give you.
This is why we created this basic guide on buying safely for the novice and part-time buyers on eBay. Hopefully it will help make you think about what you're buying in more ways that what is written on the auction page. Also to help you think logically rather then emotionally when making a purchase as this will help you get a more accurate perspective on what you are buying and not fall into a pitfall like so many of us have.
Follow these 7 basic steps to avoid 'red flags' and listen to your instincts to buy safe on eBay, and remember to have FUN!
1. Get to Know the Seller
Rule out all but the most excellent sellers. This is your money you're dealing with so spend it wisely. A rule of thumb of a good seller is that they have been a member of the eBay community for at least 6 months, have sold items consistently over the past 6 months, have a feedback score of over 100 and at least a 98% positive feedback rating. A power seller symbol next to their username is also a good indication that they are a reliable and honest seller.
Another tip would be to visit their ME page if they have one. Do they look genuine and have they taken the time to tell their potential buyers about themselves (who they are and what they're about). What do they say and are you comfortable enough that they are a genuine eBay seller. If all this checks out, then you are 90% of the way to a safe and successful transaction.
2. The Auction Title, Description and Pictures
Take the time to check the wording in both the auction title and description and read over everything with a fine tooth comb. When anything over $30.00 is involved, be sure to read the auction thoroughly 2 or 3 times over. An example of suspicious descriptions could contain keyword spamming in the auction title. This may suggest suspect auction activity through the seller selling fake goods. Scammers selling fakes often spam to gain internet traffic to their listed auctions in order to sell as many items as possible before they get caught out.




For example eBay user Fake_Handbags_RUS are selling Louis Vuitton handbags at a bargain price. The price is suspicious activity to say the least, however you notice the title has spamming in it, 'Genuine Leather Louis Vuitton Monogram Handbag - Gucci, Prada, DKNY, Guess, Versace'.
The above example might be an auction to steer clear from. Many of these auctions are sellers selling fake goods to as many people as they can before being caught out. Always do you homework when buying from a suspect auction as

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