How to buy on EBay

How to buy on EBay: VideoJug presents a simple guide to buying items on EBay. From registering on the website itself, to completing the sale, this video helps you through it all when buying on EBay.

Step 1:
Register
Before you can begin bidding in eBay auctions, you have to choose a user name and register your contact details and e-mail address. If you use an internet based e-mail address such as Hotmail, you will have to verify your identity using a credit or debit card. Your personal information will be kept confidential by eBay, as stated in their user agreement, which you must agree to register. Use the instructions in the e-mail eBay sends you after you agree to complete your registration.

Step 2:
Searching eBay
Items for sale on eBay are put into categories, listed down the left-hand side of the site. Clicking on one of these categories brings up a series of sub-categories. If you see the sub-category that you are looking for, clicking on it will bring up all the items currently for sale within it. Alternatively, if you know exactly the name of the item you are looking for, you can use the search box at the top of the page. Enter your search and eBay will bring up every item listed that includes your keywords.

Step 3:
Advanced searches
The sheer volume of items for sale at any one time means that you may have to narrow down your initial search results. Clicking onto the advanced search page gives many more search options, including searching by time left on sale, price, location of the item and type of payment accepted. These options also appear on the left-hand side of the screen when searching within a sub-category.

Step 4:
Researching an item
Clicking on an item will bring you to its individual auction page. All the information about the item is contained on this page. Check carefully details such as current price, the description the seller has written about the item's condition and features, postage costs and payment options the seller accepts. There is also an option to e-mail the seller if you have a question about the item not answered on the auction page.

Step 5:
Researching the seller
The number next to a seller's username is the percentage of feedback he has received that is positive. Clicking on the number will show you the total feedback received, and the comments left about the seller by his buyers. This will help you to get an idea of how trustworthy a particular seller is before buying.

Step 6:
Placing a bid
Clicking on the 'place bid' button will take you to the bidding screen. This screen will tell you the current item price and the next bid price. Enter the maximum price you would be willing to pay, and eBay will automatically bid up to that price, if another buyer bids against you. eBay will e-mail you if you have been outbid. Remember that when you bid for an item, you are entering into a contract with the seller to buy if you win the auction.

Step 7:
Buy it now
Some items will be being sold using eBay's 'buy it now' option. This means a seller is willing to accept a fixed price for an item, and first come, first served. You can pay for a buy it now item instantly through Paypal, or use any other payment option accepted by the seller.

Step 8:
Paying
If you are paying via Paypal, click the 'pay now' button located on the item listing page or on the confirmation e-mail sent to your e-mail address. If you are paying another way, the e-mail will include contact details for the seller.

Step 9:
Completing the sale
When you receive the item, make sure it fits the item description. If you are pleased with the item, leave positive feedback about your seller through your my eBay page. The seller will also leave feedback about you as a buyer. Leaving feedback is an important part of the sales process, as you will be helping other buyers make decisions, just like their feedback helped you. If you have a complaint about the item, try and contact the seller to reach a solution. If this fails, you can report the seller to eBay, who will consider what action, if any, to take.
To find out how to sell on eBay, please check out our other eBay films.