Do You eBay?

Ebay seems to tie the world together in some way or another. It may be the common idea of buying and selling items we do not need. The sport of the auction draws us in. Are we Ebay addicts? Should the "E" word be banned from some conversations and with certain people? One thing is for sure though, chances are you know someone who shops there often.

Ebay auctions are not just about whimsical items that would collect dust upon our shelves. There are many valuable and unique items found on it's many websites. Take for example a wedding dress. A new or slightly used wedding dress, currently in style, might range anywhere from $500 to $25,000.

On Ebay the same items might be a fraction of the price. Imagine saving a thousand dollars on a wedding dress. That would be a very nice addition to the honeymoon fund. Veils, flowers, rings, shoes and even undergarments can all be found in auctions or within the Ebay stores.

The larger the Ebay community becomes, the more items become available. Stores can now be found within the website that allow items to be purchased immediately with a "Buy it now" link. If you have a favorite seller, be sure to check with them and see if they have a store set up. It can save you time and money.

As with any purchase on the internet, there are pitfalls to be aware of. Ebay is no exception. Online auction sites rely on their customers being honest. If a user wins an auction, he or she is expected to pay for the item within a timely manner. There are some Ebay members that are known as "non-paying bidders" due to their lack of respect for Ebay's rules and regulations. A repeated non-paying bidder can soon find their accounts suspended or terminated along with negative feedback.

The flip side to people not paying for their auction wins, is the shady seller who grossly misrepresents the item being auctioned. It could be a cell phone described as new when in reality it is used and not working. There is also the seller who does not ship the item and claims that he or she did.

The best advice to follow is to read the seller or buyer's feedback. That is a fairly accurate representation of how responsible the person is. If a person has zero feedback or is a new register, then you need to proceed with caution.

One of life's lessons we learn early on is that "you get what you pay for". If you come across a new cell phone that would retail for hundred's of dollars and you win the auction for $25, it might be a scam.