Ebay is probably the most well known and recognised internet auction site. It allows buyers and sellers to meet in an electronic style marketplace. It is an auction site so just like in offline auctions you have to bid for a good if you would like to purchase it.
The site has three main types of auctions. These are:
Auction style listings-the seller offers one or more items for sale for a specified number of days. They can also set a reserve price. The winning bid will be the person who bids the most before the time is up in the auction. This is referred to as proxy bidding and the current winning bid is always displayed but the highest bid that some one has made is not always displayed. For example if some one has bid £10 for an item but they have a maximum bid of £12 then the £10 will be displayed until some one has a bid greater than £12 which will become the next winning bid.
Fixed price auctions-seller can set a buy it now price for the item/s . Buyers can click on the buy it now option and purchase the item immediately.
Dutch Auctions-allows seller to sell more than 1 of the same item. Allows buyers to choose the number they want up to the number offered.
One of the main well known methods of winning an auction and what usually happens is sniping. This is where a bidder places a bid right at the last minute so they win the auction. This happens quite alot especially with some of the more popular products. Due to the nature of the auctions, if they are not buy it now most of the bidding occurs in the last few minutes where there is a prime opportunity for would be snipers! This is because if people bid earlier they will just drive the price of the item up unnecessarily.
The main accepted method of payment is paypal. This is an electronic transfer from credit/debit card and is considered to be the safest method of purchase. There are also other ways including cheque/postal orders etc depending on the individual sellers preferences.
In order to see whether a seller is credible there is a feedback system in place. This allows buyers to see what feedback a seller has got for previous sales. This can be very useful in deciding whether to purchase an item from one seller compared to another. Feedback is through a ratings system and it also allows users to leave comments which other potential buyers can read.
I find ebay to be a great site to be able to find a wide range of products. I have bought various items on the site and have in the most part been pleased with my purchases. The feedback system is very important for me in deciding whether to make a purchase or not. The site is very safe I would say and using paypal would be most advisable. One of the problems can be to do with the selling of fake/counterfeit items. recently ebay has tried to clamp down on this and I believe the situation has improved.
Overall I would say its the best online auction site and it covers a wide range of products.
Good review - reminds me I've something to put on there for my daughter!!
KateHurst 08.06.2009 14:15
Great details in this - it reads like a beginner's guide to eBay and, having tried selling things on eBay myself, I must say your review was more helpful than the help guide on the site itself. Gives a good insight into the bidding/selling process and the various methods of payment that can be used.
Jun 8th, 2009
very helpful by (100%):
