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Online auctions can be a lot of fun. But can they save you money? For those of you haven't discovered online auctions, let me inform you that they are a great way to find deals on anything from computer equipment to arts and crafts. I've been amazed at the deals I have discovered on eBay, probably the best overall auction site online today. Even though some of this information may be applicable to other auction sites, this column will primarily deal with eBay.
Before you bid, check the dealers feedback rating.
Always see what other people have had to say about their dealings with this person. If the person has a good rating, in my opinion, no more than 1 negatives per 50 positives, then you should be able to bid with confidence. If there are more negatives than you would like to see, be sure to read what the buyer's complaints were concerning the dealer. Sometimes there may even be a retraction right after a negative comment, signifying that the dispute was resolved.
Don't bid until you know the shipping and handling charges.
If the dealer has left out how much they will be charging, be sure to send them email to inquire about the exact charges. Some dealers will charge a flat rate on everything they sell no matter how much it weighs. Don't get stuck paying $4.00 shipping for one baseball card. If the shipping charge is higher than you would like to see, you may be able to work it out with the dealer to ship the item using a cheaper method, and have them pass the savings on to you. For example: If you are bidding on a book, and the dealer is charging priority rate shipping, you may be able to talk them into book rate.
Watch out for heated bidding wars!
It's easy to get caught up in a bidding war, and have the price of an item soar. I've seen used items on ebay sell for more than they would cost to buy new at a store. When you find an item you really want, search through the completed auctions, to see what it has gone for in the past. eBay keeps auctions posted for a month after they have ended. If there is more than one auction that has taken place with the item you are looking for, average the final bids of those auctions and use that as guideline when bidding. If there are no auctions on file for your item, set a limit of what you are willing to pay, and stick to it. If you found it once on eBay, there is a very good chance you will find it again.
www.ebay.com
And another great auction site!
www.liveauctiononline.net
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