Wow! It’s already Wednesday and I’m now on my third blog for the week. I just might make my blog a daily practice.

I just overheard someone at the office telling another coworker that he got burned on eBay. I didn’t get the details, but it made me think of some important ways to help avoid getting ripped off on everybody’s favorite online auction site. Now, remember, these tips are just my opinion and things I would stay away from. I tend to be overly cautious when I purchase something on eBay and I advise that everyone should be.

1.) Only purchase items from sellers in the U.S.
    – I guess I don’t have a real reason for this, other than the fact that if I get burned by someone in the U.S. I could jump in a plane and possibly track the crook down. If I buy something from a different country, my chances of finding that person dramatically decrease.
Also, I am not too familiar about the international Paypal policies, but I admit, I am afraid to even tap into this can of worms.

2.) If an auction description says “all sales final,” stay away. I believe that any honest seller will offer a money-back guarantee if the item was falsely described. It is a little discouraging when they make a point to tell you that once you buy it, no matter if it’s good or bad, you are out of luck and stuck with it.

3.) Try and avoid sellers with private feedback.
    – I understand that there may be some reason why sellers may want to keep their feedback hidden, but I don’t need that logic. The reason for eBay’s feedback system was to protect the buyer and seller. Private feedback seems too shady for me.

4.) Be cautious when buying high-grade vintage cards that are ungraded.
    –My logic is pretty obvious. Why would someone sell a high-grade vintage card and not have it graded. Makes little sense to me.

5.) Stay away from people who are selling autographs, or describing the condition of an item that says, “I am not an expert but it looks perfect to me.”
    – Last time I checked, it doesn’t take an expert to see that a card has corner wear or a crease in it. Actually, a lot of sellers of vintage nodders use this excuse. “I am not an expert, but I don’t see any wear or cracks.” What does being an expert have to do with seeing a crack on an item?

6.) Even though I usually still would bid on an auction that calls for excessive postage and handling fees, I will say that it is very annoying. I have found if the fee is way too much, sometimes if I email the seller, they will adjust the fee.

7.) Lastly, I don’t usually get too scared away if a seller doesn’t accept Paypal as a form of payment, but I often wonder why it wouldn’t. Also, if you send a check or money order for an item, you are not covered under any of Paypal’s safety nets.

Anyway, that’s all I have for now. Stay in the game!

-Chris