---Why I Use Ebay---

.Spending much time at home I have found over the years that Ebay is a great place for both finding virtually any item you wish to buy or to sell on your unwanted items.



---The Brand---

Founded in 1995 - the name became Ebay in 1997 from contracting the name Echo BAY technology group



---The Site---

An online auction and selling website. Busineses or individuals can use the site to either buy or sell items.
Items can be put up for sale for a period of time, say 5 or 7 days, or the item can be listed with a 'buy it now' price. Auctions can start at any price you wish to set and you can also add a reserve price. You can add an amount on for postage or give 'free' postage.
Sellers list items by adding a description to the site, a picture (or more) is optional but people really like to see what they are buying.
You can also ask the seller questions.
Items listed can be either new or second hand and they should be clearly shown as such.



---Cost---

You are charged to a fee to list on item for sale and you pay a percentage of the selling price. Most sellers now use Paypal - a system where you register your credit/debit card with the Paypal company and then make a payment through them - so your personal financial details are never given to the sellers and it goes throgh immediately.


---Feedback---

Both buyers and sellers can leave 'feedback' on each other, both star ratings and a short comment. This is then useful for future buyers/sellers to use to guage whether a person is reliable or not.



---My Opinion---

I would hate to be without Ebay now.
Being confined to home most of the time I find Ebay invaluable.
BUYING - Ebay is prety much the first place I will loook for anything. You can mostly find anything on there - either new or second hand. My sister, who goes out shopping all over the place is always amazed at how I can find things to buy much easier than she can - I have even ordered line dancing jewellery from USA for her. I have picked up lots of nice M&S skirts for summer that way, plus a good leather handbag.
SELLING - as a personal seller I have not sold any high value items, just lots of bits and pieces from around the house that I no longer wanted. Soemtimes though you are amazed at the price that some things go for - I have sold an empty perfume bottle, 1960s eggcups and a Golly cheesedish which went for over £100 after I bought it years ago at a boot sale for £2. Also I sold quite a few Robertson's Golly Brooches - one even without the pin.



---Some Items I have Bought---

Clothes
Ornaments
Cuddly toys
Beanie babies
Material
Blankets
Plants
Bulbs - both plants and lighting
Camera
Dictaphone
Printer ink
Diaries
Batteries
Novelty presents
Shopping bags
Jewllery



---Some Items I have Sold---

Ornaments
Old eggcups
Computer parts
Mobile phones
Handbags
Purses
Computer games
Books
Scarves
Jewellery



---Problems?---

You do hear horror stories of people and Ebay but I have been using it for many years now both buying and selling and I have only ever had one item not delivered - a recording of a pop concert for son - I lost the £7 and never got it back through Ebay - but considering the number of transactions I have done I am happy to write that off. I have had a few disappointemnets - such as a leather bag that stunk of tobacco smoke - which I could not even wash away, but you have to espect a few dud purchases along the way. I had a snoring cat which was broken in transit - but seller let me keep it for half price instead of postig it back.
Many people have had trouble so I count myself luck - firstly I never buy an expensive item - so if it does not arrive I a not too out of pocket, and if selling an item I always get proof of posting so it if gets lost i can claim compensation back from Royal Mail.
The worst stories are often those who pay thousands for items such as caravans that they have not seen, and then go along with what the 'seller' asks and pays money direct into someone's personal acocunt, rather than going through Paypal - a recipe for disaster.



---Tips---

SELLING
Describe items for sale very accurately and include a picture that you have taken - not one you have copied from somewhere else.
Make sure you charge enough postage - or you might find out you have to pay more than you bargained for.
Keep in contact with buyers and post out promptly after they pay.
BUYING
Read the descriptions carefully and check any pictures.
Check the feedback for the seller.
Be careful if it is a new seller with very little feedback.
Pay prompty after the auction ends.
If there are any problems try and sort it with the seller first before leaving bad feedback.



---Star Rating---

5 stars.



---Would I Recommend?---

Yes definitely - so long as you are sensible.



---Websites---

www.ebay.co.uk