Buying and selling gadgets on eBay can be a great way to save, or even make money. Despite this, many potential buyers and sellers are put off due to a fear of falling prey to scams or simply not knowing how to get started.
Buying Gadgets on eBay
When considering buying a gadget on eBay it’s important to follow these steps in order to stay safe and ensure a good shopping experience:
1. Know your seller
Check out feedback scores and the reviews of previous customers in order to see if this is a seller who is reliable and trustworthy. Be wary of those with poor (or little) feedback or who normally sell very different, lower priced, items. eBay will sometimes give sellers special accreditations such as ‘power seller‘ status which indicates they have a good track record of completing transactions successfully.
2. Follow the rules
eBay’s rules are there to keep both buyers and sellers safe when completing their transaction. Under no circumstances should you agree to a sale outside the normal eBay auction or buy it now process, this will mean that you are not covered by eBay’s buyer protection policies. Request that sellers only contact you through the eBay message system rather than direct email, reducing the risk of falling prey to fraudulent ‘phishing’ emails.
3. Know your rights
It’s often worth paying via PayPal or your credit card (depending on the amount), in order to receive additional buyer protection. If an item isn’t received or is in poor condition, report this as soon as possible to both eBay and your method of payment – PayPal in particular have a strong record of getting refunds and replacements for customers who have experienced problems. Be wary of sellers who only offer payment via less secure methods such as cheque or postal order.
4. Be cautious
If in doubt, check it out; eBay are more than happy to help buyers stay safe when using their site and have lots of helpful how to buy safe information available on the latest scams and other issues.
Selling Gadgets on eBay
1. Sort out postage
One of the most common problems that new sellers encounter is issues with postage and delivery. Many categories now have postage caps on eBay and this can lead to challenges due to the recent Royal Mail price rises. Consider using an alternative for your parcel delivery, many offer good rates and additional services such as guaranteed delivery or signed for parcels. Comparison sites such as myparceldelivery.com enable sellers to compare rates and get the best deal for their item, which can really boost feedback and improve the buyer’s experience.
2. Stay within eBay’s rules
Be careful if a seller offers to complete the transaction off eBay, asks to end the auction early, or makes an offer that sounds too good to be true; these are often ways that unscrupulous buyers get around the normal eBay protections and can lead to them receiving your item but then refusing to pay or denying receipt.
[Read also: How to Sell Used Computers]
3. Honesty is the best policy
If you’re selling a used item then it’s important to describe it accurately. Test all of the functions and describe any faults as thoroughly as possible. Buyers will appreciate your honesty and be less likely to raise a dispute once the item arrives. Checking details such as battery life can also be very important depending on the gadget being sold.
[Read also: Tips on Selling Your Old iPhone Online]
4. Know how much your gadget is worth
Unfortunately you’re unlikely to get the full cost back if you’re selling a used item, but this doesn’t mean you won’t get a good deal. Take a look to see how much similar items are selling for, then decide if this is an amount you would be happy with. Auction tools such as reserves and ‘best offer’ can be useful ways to ensure your item sells for an amount above the minimum you would be prepared to accept.
[Read also: Common Purchases People Make Online]
Buying and Selling Gadgets on eBay: Conclusion
Buying and selling gadgets on eBay can be a rewarding and convenient experience for tech enthusiasts and sellers alike. The platform offers a vast and diverse marketplace that allows individuals to find unique gadgets at competitive prices while also enabling sellers to reach a broad audience of potential buyers. To ensure a successful and positive experience, both buyers and sellers should prioritize transparency, communication, and honesty throughout their transactions. While eBay provides a wealth of opportunities, it is essential to exercise caution and research before making purchases or listing items for sale. By following best practices and leveraging the platform’s features, eBay can be a valuable resource for gadget enthusiasts and sellers looking to make the most of their tech investments. So, whether you’re in search of the latest tech marvel or hoping to find a new home for your gadgets, eBay remains a trusted hub for gadget enthusiasts worldwide. Happy buying and selling!
[Images via ebay]
Haven’t tried buying or selling gadgets online Peter and looks like these tips will certainly help me out if I’m going to start with it.. Thanks,
Nhick
I actually put something on Ebay several hours ago. I haven’t used Ebay in a long time. Years ago I used to buy and sell on there quite a bit. A lot has changed with the site since I used to sell on there, but it was easy enough to figure out for the most part. The only thing I don’t know is how the final fee thing works, but I guess I will figure that one out if my item sells.
I had a few crazies when I was into it more in the past, but not too many. I got a week to go on the auction so I guess I will have to wait until then to see how it works out.
I was a power seller myself about 2 years ago when I was very much active in selling. But after that my eBay account was pretty much dormant most of the time as I didn’t have any items for sale. I’ve found some old collectors items while cleaning my house recently which I will probably make a come back to eBay soon. Glad to hear from you again, Ray. Where have you been? 🙂
I have been working on some programming that has kept me very busy. That and the last month has been a little crazy. I also wanted to take a little time to enjoy summer. I kind of let the last several summers slip by without doing anything or enjoying them.
hello peter, Nice to read yet another informative post from your side. I had a mixed experience in buying things from eBay as some time I was able to find things worth my money & sometime I could not. I did not used to read feedback about seller until I got cheated by the the one who intentionally deliver a second hand product to me. Since then first thing I do while purchasing anything from eBay or any other online shopping site is to read customer feedback about the seller and believe me I’ve not been disappointed.
Always read the ratings left by other buyers on the particular seller as that’s the ONLY way you can get to know more on who’s the person you are going to deal with.
That is what I do now peter, and things have been great since I started reading customer’s feedback for the corresponding sale.
I always turn to local sites to sell items. I haven’t tried ebay yet, but I wanna try it some time. Thanks for the guidelines you shared.
Nice post Peter !
Its always a good idea to stick to the rules .Although , its difficult to sell anything on ebay (as the competition is tough) once a person manages to sell his inventory ..then he can be unstoppable as he has already established his mark .
-Pramod
I used to sell some stuff on eBay. I don’t see eBay as a place to make decent money, but rather a platform to get rid of unwanted or used items and get back some cash for myself so the competition thing didn’t really bother me that much. I was just looking to get back some cash on things that I already planned to get rid of by either auctioning or selling them off via eBay regardless of any price. 🙂
This is what is important while selling…… Being Honest!!!
You may find people telling something about their product and giving something else. This is totally unfair……..
Nice post 🙂
I had never dealt with any dishonest seller before. I usually checked their ratings before buying from them. “Power sellers” with good ratings are the ones you should be dealing in order to avoid unnecessary disputes.
Yes if I am ever selling a used gadget I make sure I am absolutely honest about what the defects in the product are. I don’t hide anything as that causes a trust deficit in the long run or could bite you in the ass in some other way.
Hi Peter,
A little update on my Ebay Auction. It ended earlier today. I did have a lot of people bidding on it. More than I was expecting. 10 minutes after the auction ends the winning bidder sends me a message and says he can’t pay. Now I get to go through the resolution processes just to get back the 10% Ebay took for fees, and then hopefully relist it. Talk about bad luck. Who bids on something and 10 minutes later decides they can’t pay. Crazy!
One that deserves your negative feedback, Ray!
I usually sell mens clothing on eBay so selling gadgets is new to me. All of your pointers are great. Honesty is the best policy when it comes to just about anything but especially eBay.
Great article!
Yes! Honesty is always important regardless of any product you’re selling. Did you ever encounter any problem shipping apparels to your customers? Do you ship overseas, Adley?
I have sold many shirts overseas without any problems.
At first I was scared to ship overseas so I enlisted in the eBay international program. In the program, I would send the item to an airport and eBay would take care of the rest. I found out that customers had to pay more for shipping (which slowed down sales) so i stopped using that program.
I now ship internationally myself. I send the item directly to the customer and they save money on shipping. I just have to sign the customs form (signature and date) and that’s it!
Thanks for the response!
You’re very welcome, Adley!
Now a days everyone dealing with Online Shopping! My friend brought dress from ebay with best offers. It was very nice and fitting also correct. then, She ordered Gadgets in ThinkGizmo Online Store at best offers, it is also delivered with perfectly. Also, The product working with good manner. So, Now her every purchase is thought online Shop.