As an eBay buyer, you can take the following precautions to help ensure a successful trading experience.
Before bidding or using the Buy It Now button
Remember that you automatically enter into a legally binding contract to purchase the item from the seller if you're the winning buyer in the listing or use the Buy It Now feature. All bids are active until the auction ends. When sellers do not receive payment for an item, they can file an Unpaid Item dispute. eBay can then issue a strike on the account of the buyer who does not honor his or her obligation to pay (unless the buyer and seller mutually agree not to complete the transaction). eBay's research has shown that following a few simple tips can significantly reduce the rate of unpaid item disputes.
Carefully review the item listing and make sure you understand the seller's shipping terms, refund and return policy, and other terms and conditions.
Review the seller's terms and shipping details to make sure you are eligible to bid on the item. If the seller has any buyer requirements that you don't meet, contact the seller for permission prior to placing a bid or using the "Buy It Now" feature.
Make sure that the seller accepts your preferred payment method.
Ask your seller questions using the "Ask seller a question" link on the item page.
If you have a problem communicating with the seller through email after you have won the item, you can request contact information for your seller (including a phone number).
Make sure that you update your contact information, including your email address, whenever it changes.
Make sure that you don't have any "spam" blocking software installed that may limit a seller from communicating with you.
If you have computer or connection problems, you can access your eBay account through any computer with Internet access, such as those at a library or friend's house. You can monitor your bids from your My eBay page from any computer connected to the Internet.
Check the seller's sales history through feedback as well as the seller's current items to get an idea of this person's areas of expertise. For example, if the seller has only sold recipes, and then lists a plasma television, make sure that you are comfortable with the transaction before you bid. Learn more about knowing your seller.
Make sure your preferred method of payment offers purchase protection.
Use common sense. If something seems too good to be true, it often is. Make sure that you are comfortable with the transaction before you bid.
Confirm authenticity of the item.
Educate yourself about eBay's listing policies.
Before sending payment Contact the seller to arrange payment. Verify your seller's contact information.
Use extra caution with international transactions, as well as high-price and popular items.
For high-price items, you can pay using an eBay-approved escrow service like www.escrow.com.
Insure your item.
Keep a record of all purchases.
What to avoid Paying with instant money transfer services such as Western Union and MoneyGram that send cash instantly from storefront locations, by telephone and over the Internet. If your seller insists on using only these payment options, report it to eBay.
Transactions where the seller only accepts cash.
Unsolicited offers. If the seller offers to sell you the item directly without bidding on and winning the item on eBay, please don't respond. Instead, please report it to eBay immediately.
Fake escrow services. Use caution when considering an escrow service to pay for your item. For eBay transactions, you should only use Escrow.com, eBay's approved escrow service.
