qxl.com > Reviews (155)

QXL is the best auction site in the UK by far in my opinion. It's well laid out, it's insured (if the item you order doesn't turn up) is also very good. I must say I prefered the site before they re-designed it about 6 months ago (when everything was bright orange)- but I don't suppose it makes a big difference!

I picked up an Ondigital (tomorrow to be ITVDigital) box12 months ago for £35, that's £85 below the shop price at the time. However QXL's popularity has led to more bidders, leading to higher prices. Therefore, as I spend a lot of time on QXL and other auction sites I've devised some hints and tips;

1)Don't bid in the evenings, for auctions that end around midday the next day (the usual time for QXL Direct auctions)- the price shoots up at night! The best time to grab a bargain is to look just before the auctions finish.

2)Bid low to start, sites might tell you to start high, but they have their own interests at heart.

3)Don't expect to win an auction first time, try over weeks and keep bidding consistently- that's the way I've got the best bargains.

4)Buying from merchant partners or QXL direct is a lot lot easier than buying from an individual.

5)Don't buy from an un-rated individual, or the QXL insurance won't cover you if you have a problem (I think).

6)Be aware that 'Evening Delivery' means 4.01- I found it a total waste of money.

7)Less well known sites often have the best bargains- be careful though as they are unlikely to have insurance if there is a problem with your purchase.

8)Don't buy anything unboxed, or ideally not anything second-hand (without instructions etc.). Is it a coincidence that phone thefts have risen and so have the number of unboxed second hand phones on QXL?!

9)Always check shop prices too, loads of people seem to bid over normal shop prices sometimes!