| Product: |
ebay.co.uk |
| Date: |
09/10/04 (109 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Find a bargain, Make a profift, Have fun
Disadvantages: Get addicted, Get competitive, There are more...
I caught the eBay bug about a month ago, and still I foam at the mouth when I regularly check my buying and selling page.
It doesn't help when virtually everything you sell, sells, and everything you want entices you to bid higher; there's no escape!
Like most I was a bit shy of eBay as I was wary about being conned, worried about losing money (sellers fees) for things that didn't sell etc. but when I saw how much of a frenzy a friend of mine was getting into I thought I'd give it ago - just once. But no one told me that eBay was virtual cocaine.
Like dooyoo (hello old friends!), there is a kind of community vibe. Most people don't want to con you (the feedback numbers and coloured stars are a universal goal), because they don't want to be conned too - which is why eBay's still around; and incase anything does go pear shaped it's usually a misunderstanding, or something that can be resolved within the structure of eBay (PayPal, SquareTrade).
With peace of mind out of the way, it doesn't cost much to sell (and it's free to buy stuff - well, apart from actual item payment). There are other sites that charge less or no fees, but with all the (usually small) work put into creating an ad it's best to go for eBay still. Why? Because you can put your ad on eClone and only by extreme luck will it sell. Put it up on the daddy site and flies will swarm 'round it. The money you put into selling is nothing in that much more will come back. There are basically 2 sets of common fees; selling and item sold, after that there's optional refundable reserve fees, buy it now (non-auction) fees and a small percentage if you accept instant payment via PayPal (I won't go into PayPal here, but it's great).
The site is colourful, easy to navigation and well thought out. My eBay is your personal little igloo in the eBay world. You can plan how to outwit other bidders (bide your time they all say!), and smile with glee as your item bids rise beyond expectation.
And if you're lucky your parted money will see a bargain materialise before you (used or new), or you can make a probable (nee regular) trip to your PO who will know you're an eBayer, get a jiffy and post away with polite little communication inbetween. If you're wary of talking to strangers in most cases I've experienced no one really talks unless there's a need to confirm something or make an arrangement. It is nice to swap emails and post with these temporary prey, er customers, er friends.
And then to calm down there's the message boards...I can't be bothered writing anymore, I have to check my eBay!
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