Comments on: How to Find Great Deals on eBay http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/ personal finance that makes cents Sun, 12 Oct 2008 14:49:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Richard http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-114307 Richard Mon, 28 Jan 2008 04:50:32 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-114307 If you use firefox, there's a free extension called "myTimeZone for eBay" that adds a TON of features and conveniences to eBay. If you use eBay this is a must-have tool: https://addons.update.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/5497 If you use firefox, there’s a free extension called “myTimeZone for eBay” that adds a TON of features and conveniences to eBay. If you use eBay this is a must-have tool:

https://addons.update.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/5497

]]> By: Lily http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-114267 Lily Sun, 27 Jan 2008 21:58:59 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-114267 It can be really great if you know what you're looking for. This winter I only bought sweaters on eBay - brand new, lovely cashmere or merino sweaters for 20-30 euros each! I can't stand acrylic or scratchy wool on my skin but of course I won't spend a fortune on sweaters alone :) It can be really great if you know what you’re looking for. This winter I only bought sweaters on eBay - brand new, lovely cashmere or merino sweaters for 20-30 euros each! I can’t stand acrylic or scratchy wool on my skin but of course I won’t spend a fortune on sweaters alone :)

]]> By: Sara http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-98593 Sara Wed, 26 Sep 2007 22:41:13 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-98593 Hello, I work for Mahalo, and I wanted to thank you for this post; it was very helpful and I linked to it when I wrote a How To called "How to Shop on eBay" (http:/www.mahalo.com/How_to_Shop_on_eBay). Mahalo! Hello,

I work for Mahalo, and I wanted to thank you for this post; it was very helpful and I linked to it when I wrote a How To called “How to Shop on eBay” (http:/www.mahalo.com/How_to_Shop_on_eBay).

Mahalo!

]]> By: Daily Links | thegimmick http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-96342 Daily Links | thegimmick Mon, 27 Aug 2007 17:14:33 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-96342 [...] How to Find Great Deals on eBay (tags: ebay shopping frugal bargains money) [...] [...] How to Find Great Deals on eBay (tags: ebay shopping frugal bargains money) [...]

]]> By: John Walker http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94637 John Walker Tue, 07 Aug 2007 22:48:18 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94637 Whenever i shop on ebay, i used the firefox extension ShortShip: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/2949 It allows you to see the shipping costs in the search listing and sort by the total cost of the item. Whenever i shop on ebay, i used the firefox extension ShortShip: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/2949

It allows you to see the shipping costs in the search listing and sort by the total cost of the item.

]]> By: Financial Jungle - » Jungle Bulletin: Pre-Bubble Headlines, eBay Shopping, Money-Happiness, And The Market http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94626 Financial Jungle - » Jungle Bulletin: Pre-Bubble Headlines, eBay Shopping, Money-Happiness, And The Market Tue, 07 Aug 2007 20:19:55 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94626 [...] you visit eBay, try some of these shopping tips from Lisa, a guest from Get Rich Slowly. A few tips include sniping the goods to discourage pre-mature [...] [...] you visit eBay, try some of these shopping tips from Lisa, a guest from Get Rich Slowly. A few tips include sniping the goods to discourage pre-mature [...]

]]> By: Grace http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94330 Grace Fri, 03 Aug 2007 15:11:12 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94330 I like ebay and have amazed people with smart purchases from it. It can be hard to dig through all of the scammers on there, though, and sometimes that's not worth the trouble. The advice about using sniping programs disappointed me. I consider it an undermining of the intent of auctions, and I particularly dislike that part of the point is to keep other people from bidding. That's part of the deal in an auction - other people bid. If you can't handle that, maybe auctions aren't for you. I like ebay and have amazed people with smart purchases from it.

It can be hard to dig through all of the scammers on there, though, and sometimes that’s not worth the trouble.

The advice about using sniping programs disappointed me. I consider it an undermining of the intent of auctions, and I particularly dislike that part of the point is to keep other people from bidding. That’s part of the deal in an auction - other people bid. If you can’t handle that, maybe auctions aren’t for you.

]]> By: KMull http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94317 KMull Fri, 03 Aug 2007 14:10:19 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94317 Everyone makes fun of me at work for buying and selling on eBay. I just shrug and say, hey, if I made $10 (+shipping) off of this item I was going to donate or throw away... it is worth it to me. Everyone makes fun of me at work for buying and selling on eBay. I just shrug and say, hey, if I made $10 (+shipping) off of this item I was going to donate or throw away… it is worth it to me.

]]> By: The Friday Gathering for 8/3/2007 | Gather Little By Little http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94295 The Friday Gathering for 8/3/2007 | Gather Little By Little Fri, 03 Aug 2007 12:33:41 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94295 [...] Being the eBay fan I am, JD over at Get Rich Slowly has a great article on How to Find Great Deals on eBay [...] [...] Being the eBay fan I am, JD over at Get Rich Slowly has a great article on How to Find Great Deals on eBay [...]

]]> By: Tim http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94278 Tim Fri, 03 Aug 2007 07:03:41 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94278 what worries me about this post is that i know people like Lisa: they scour ebay and buy stuff, lots of stuff, stuff they don't need. I'm not in the habit of question what people buy and the reasons for buying them, but it seems that Lisa has bought a lot of want stuff, and perhaps more want stuff out of the sake of "a good deal." although there are good points in the post, the post reads as a guide on how to buy and make buying stuff easier for the sake of buying stuff. Second, THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS SNIPING. if you put the max amount you are willing to spend on an item, the ebay function automatically bids up to your maximum. if you use a sniping program you invariably paid more than what you intended. if not, then why didn't you simply put a higher amount in the maximum bid in the first place? it doesn't matter if you get out bid by 1cent versus $1million. You cannot be "sniped" if you didn't want to pay more for the item in the first place. Of course people put the rationale that they would have paid 3 cents more to prevent being outbid, but then you need to think about why you put a maximum limit on your bid in the first place--that is, you didn't want to spend 3 cents more for the item. the most important suggestion omitted in Lisa's suggestion is buy the seller not the item. If it sounds too good to be true, it is. Use a payment method that is retractable and gives you an out in a bad purchase. Ensure lots of communication with email threads. what worries me about this post is that i know people like Lisa: they scour ebay and buy stuff, lots of stuff, stuff they don’t need. I’m not in the habit of question what people buy and the reasons for buying them, but it seems that Lisa has bought a lot of want stuff, and perhaps more want stuff out of the sake of “a good deal.” although there are good points in the post, the post reads as a guide on how to buy and make buying stuff easier for the sake of buying stuff.

Second, THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS SNIPING. if you put the max amount you are willing to spend on an item, the ebay function automatically bids up to your maximum. if you use a sniping program you invariably paid more than what you intended. if not, then why didn’t you simply put a higher amount in the maximum bid in the first place? it doesn’t matter if you get out bid by 1cent versus $1million. You cannot be “sniped” if you didn’t want to pay more for the item in the first place. Of course people put the rationale that they would have paid 3 cents more to prevent being outbid, but then you need to think about why you put a maximum limit on your bid in the first place–that is, you didn’t want to spend 3 cents more for the item.

the most important suggestion omitted in Lisa’s suggestion is buy the seller not the item. If it sounds too good to be true, it is. Use a payment method that is retractable and gives you an out in a bad purchase. Ensure lots of communication with email threads.

]]> By: Gary http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94245 Gary Fri, 03 Aug 2007 01:26:59 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94245 I wonder if theres a program to weed out power sellers i like to buy from sellers with low feedback there the one that made e-bay e-bay, not the ones with feedback in the thousands The low feddbackers(as i call them) are the one just trying to git rid of something they no longer need i rather buy used, i don't come to e-bay to buy new things i can get anywere I wonder if theres a program to weed out power sellers i like to buy from sellers with low feedback
there the one that made e-bay e-bay, not the ones with feedback in the thousands
The low feddbackers(as i call them) are the one just trying to git rid of something they no longer need
i rather buy used, i don’t come to e-bay to buy new things i can get anywere

]]> By: Ribonucleic http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94232 Ribonucleic Thu, 02 Aug 2007 23:55:19 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94232 Sniping programs are for suckers. Enter the most you'll be satisfied spending for the item and then let the system automatically bid for you. eBay is teeming with screaming bargains on a wide variety of magazine subscriptions. The deals look too good to be true - but they're not. Just make sure the seller has a good feedback history. Sniping programs are for suckers. Enter the most you’ll be satisfied spending for the item and then let the system automatically bid for you.

eBay is teeming with screaming bargains on a wide variety of magazine subscriptions. The deals look too good to be true - but they’re not. Just make sure the seller has a good feedback history.

]]> By: Giania http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94220 Giania Thu, 02 Aug 2007 22:49:13 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94220 I used to be somewhat of an ebay fiend. Then I taught myself to avoid it because I was spending too much money on silly little things. However, today's article reminded me that ebay is sometimes ridiculously useful. I just bought a pair of pants for my beau for $17 (with shipping) that I ordinarily wouldn't be able to find for under $40 new at the stores. NICE. I used to be somewhat of an ebay fiend. Then I taught myself to avoid it because I was spending too much money on silly little things.

However, today’s article reminded me that ebay is sometimes ridiculously useful. I just bought a pair of pants for my beau for $17 (with shipping) that I ordinarily wouldn’t be able to find for under $40 new at the stores. NICE.

]]> By: This Week’s Links on Frugal Living - Around the Sun: A Blog About Saving Money in Portland, Oregon, and beyond http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94219 This Week’s Links on Frugal Living - Around the Sun: A Blog About Saving Money in Portland, Oregon, and beyond Thu, 02 Aug 2007 22:40:34 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94219 [...] A guest writer at Get Rich Slowly reveals her Tips for Finding Great Deals on eBay [...] [...] A guest writer at Get Rich Slowly reveals her Tips for Finding Great Deals on eBay [...]

]]> By: Adam http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94184 Adam Thu, 02 Aug 2007 19:26:51 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94184 eBay used to be fun. eBay used to be fun.

]]> By: David Hunter http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94183 David Hunter Thu, 02 Aug 2007 19:10:16 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94183 The main advantage of sniping is psychology, namely that people will bid higher on items which are in demand. They also may in response to competition end up being willing to pay more than they would have otherwise. Bidding at the last minute minimises this. The main advantage of sniping is psychology, namely that people will bid higher on items which are in demand. They also may in response to competition end up being willing to pay more than they would have otherwise. Bidding at the last minute minimises this.

]]> By: Dave http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94182 Dave Thu, 02 Aug 2007 18:53:37 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94182 Can someone explain to me the utility of the various sniping programs? I always just figure out the maximum amount I want to spend, and put in my bid with that (minus shipping) as my limit. If someone is willing to go over my limit, it really doesn't matter to me if they do it 3 days before the end of the auction, or 3 minutes before. So, what does a sniping program gain me? There was an out of print book that I wanted for several years. It would come up on auction fairly regularly. I decided I'd be willing to pay up to $100 for it. There were several times I thought I had it, when a frenzy of last-minute bidding would drive the price up to $150 or often even higher. Since I wasn't willing to pay that price, what good would a sniping system have done for me? On a frugal note, the book was eventually reprinted in a 2nd edition with an update added and is still available for $39.95. I got mine that way. Can someone explain to me the utility of the various sniping programs? I always just figure out the maximum amount I want to spend, and put in my bid with that (minus shipping) as my limit. If someone is willing to go over my limit, it really doesn’t matter to me if they do it 3 days before the end of the auction, or 3 minutes before. So, what does a sniping program gain me?

There was an out of print book that I wanted for several years. It would come up on auction fairly regularly. I decided I’d be willing to pay up to $100 for it. There were several times I thought I had it, when a frenzy of last-minute bidding would drive the price up to $150 or often even higher. Since I wasn’t willing to pay that price, what good would a sniping system have done for me? On a frugal note, the book was eventually reprinted in a 2nd edition with an update added and is still available for $39.95. I got mine that way.

]]> By: Anya http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94176 Anya Thu, 02 Aug 2007 17:33:26 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94176 Now I notice this was a guest post -- my comment still stands though. That graphic shouldn't have gotten through the cracks... Now I notice this was a guest post — my comment still stands though. That graphic shouldn’t have gotten through the cracks…

]]> By: Anya http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94175 Anya Thu, 02 Aug 2007 17:30:58 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94175 Good tips as always. I'm concerned to see all those people's names, unobscured, in your Excel file. When people look to you for financial advice, it's important to also set a good example when it comes to privacy and security. All those purchases you list may seem innocuous, but it's really non-standard to put up something like that without using the blur tool on the names (unless those names were made up). Good tips as always. I’m concerned to see all those people’s names, unobscured, in your Excel file. When people look to you for financial advice, it’s important to also set a good example when it comes to privacy and security. All those purchases you list may seem innocuous, but it’s really non-standard to put up something like that without using the blur tool on the names (unless those names were made up).

]]> By: Jerry Hung http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94174 Jerry Hung Thu, 02 Aug 2007 17:28:53 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94174 Actually I stay away from eBay now, unless I know what I'm looking for. Yes, it's great tool to find bargains, but sometimes you buy more than you need, and it's no way to save money :) It's like buying sales, I might get a $100 product for $50, but do I really need the product? and I could've saved $50 too Actually I stay away from eBay now, unless I know what I’m looking for.

Yes, it’s great tool to find bargains, but sometimes you buy more than you need, and it’s no way to save money :)

It’s like buying sales, I might get a $100 product for $50, but do I really need the product? and I could’ve saved $50 too

]]> By: Luke http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94168 Luke Thu, 02 Aug 2007 16:32:26 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94168 Personally I don't really like ebay that much anymore. It used to be a big garage sale, people trying to get rid of extra stuff and you could find great deals. Now there is so much "auction spam" you have to sort through the price gougers, the stores that list 50 auctions of the same item, people who charge inflated shipping and scammers. I have started finding sites that cater specifically to my interests that have forums and auctions sites. For example, I am an astrophysics grad student, so I go to astromart.com for astronomy gear, you get great deals, in depth reviews of equipment and everyone is generally out to help everyone else. I have never had a bad experience and you don't have to sort through so much garbage. For my motorcycle I go to thegsresources.com It is specific to my motorcycle, I can buy used parts, get advice for fixing things etc. Using this site I was able to completely overhaul the engine on my motorcycle without having to pay for a mechanic to do it for me. So I would say, if you find yourself buying a lot of the same type of item, see if you can find an online community that supports it. Craigslist is also a favorite, the element of dealing locally means you don't have to deal with shipping and scams are much more unlikely as you can usually go to see the item before you pay for it. Personally I don’t really like ebay that much anymore. It used to be a big garage sale, people trying to get rid of extra stuff and you could find great deals. Now there is so much “auction spam” you have to sort through the price gougers, the stores that list 50 auctions of the same item, people who charge inflated shipping and scammers. I have started finding sites that cater specifically to my interests that have forums and auctions sites. For example, I am an astrophysics grad student, so I go to astromart.com for astronomy gear, you get great deals, in depth reviews of equipment and everyone is generally out to help everyone else. I have never had a bad experience and you don’t have to sort through so much garbage. For my motorcycle I go to thegsresources.com It is specific to my motorcycle, I can buy used parts, get advice for fixing things etc. Using this site I was able to completely overhaul the engine on my motorcycle without having to pay for a mechanic to do it for me. So I would say, if you find yourself buying a lot of the same type of item, see if you can find an online community that supports it. Craigslist is also a favorite, the element of dealing locally means you don’t have to deal with shipping and scams are much more unlikely as you can usually go to see the item before you pay for it.

]]> By: derty http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94167 derty Thu, 02 Aug 2007 16:20:28 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94167 Auction sniping is dirty and unfriendly to the seller. Auction sniping is dirty and unfriendly to the seller.

]]> By: OneYearGoal.com - $100,000 in one year http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94164 OneYearGoal.com - $100,000 in one year Thu, 02 Aug 2007 15:34:01 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94164 Thanks for the great tips. I haven't shopped on eBay much but I guess I should. One Man. One Year. $100,000 online. Another way to get rich. http://www.oneyeargoal.com Thanks for the great tips. I haven’t shopped on eBay much but I guess I should.

One Man. One Year. $100,000 online. Another way to get rich.
http://www.oneyeargoal.com

]]> By: MoneyChangesThings http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94162 MoneyChangesThings Thu, 02 Aug 2007 14:54:06 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94162 If you're not in a hurry, before you buy an item on ebay, you can check on your local www.freecycle.org group. Odds are someone may have the item you're seeking - for free. can't beat free. Some people nickname is Freebay. If you’re not in a hurry, before you buy an item on ebay, you can check on your local http://www.freecycle.org group. Odds are someone may have the item you’re seeking - for free. can’t beat free. Some people nickname is Freebay.

]]> By: Matthew http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94160 Matthew Thu, 02 Aug 2007 14:13:40 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/08/02/how-to-get-great-deals-on-ebay/#comment-94160 Sometimes you can take a gamble but do some risk analysis first. I recently bought a "Returned" DVD/VCR combo for $17 + $10 shipping. The auction specifically said that the item had not been tested and was being sold as is, no warranty, no returns. I determined that $30 was the max I would risk for such an item. Fortunately, the player worked perfectly, no problems. I gambled and won. Not everyone will be so lucky. Sometimes you can take a gamble but do some risk analysis first. I recently bought a “Returned” DVD/VCR combo for $17 + $10 shipping. The auction specifically said that the item had not been tested and was being sold as is, no warranty, no returns. I determined that $30 was the max I would risk for such an item. Fortunately, the player worked perfectly, no problems. I gambled and won. Not everyone will be so lucky.

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