How Not To Get Scammed from Ebay.

[Adam$]

Don't know if this is in the right forum.. Maybe computer tutorials? Meh.

Anyway, many people stay away from eBay due to a risk of scamming. If you are going to buy from eBay, make sure you know what you are doing.

Watch out for..- Low Feedback Score (anything below 97% should be avoided). Try and get the highest feedback score. Don't just look at the percentage, look at the score in numbers. Someone can have 100% feedback and only a score of 1. Make sure the score is at least 100, and a percentage of close to 100%. Browse items and different sellers, get the best you can.

- Dodgy Feedback. People can forge feedback, as I have seen. View recent sellers/buyers that have left feedback. Make sure they are genuine sellers. For example, if the members that have left feedback are called "ebayuser1" "ebayuser2" "ebayuser3" etc, it's obvious, but make sure they have high feedback scores. As if there is a load of people with a score of only 2 or 3, it's probably the same guy.

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Make sure the item that is being sold is against the ebay rules. You may have trouble buying fireworks, or any other item against the rules over ebay.

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Never give out your bank details. This includes credit/debit card numbers, sort codes, etc. Always use paypal if you can. This is simple to use, free, and does not give the seller your CC number. Find out more on www.paypal.com (http://www.paypal.com).

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Shop around the internet first, before buying on ebay. You may find the item cheaper on the net than on ebay. It hardly happens, but worth a try.

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Make sure the postage is reasonable. Sometimes the item is put up for cheap, say £5 cheaper, but the postage may be more expensive than usual, maybe £5-6 dearer.

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Check the image of the item and the condition it is in. It is best to view the front and back of the item, to see if it is damaged.

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Remember, If something seems far too good to be true, [B]it probably is./B] Go through the steps above before buying an item. There are probably more precautions but i'm too tired now. Hope this has helped.

[NekkLe]

Nice guide :)

Yeh, like checking the item is real, for example some sellers don't explain full of what there selling. Sometimes it could be details of how to get the item cheaper etc...

[paradox]

Nice guide, I hope this helps others :)

[Sly]

Nice guide ;)

I never bothered to use Ebay :P

[Rawr]

I never use it cause i think i will get scammed so i use more safe sites.

[NekkLe]

Ebay is a safe site to use, its better once you know what your doing.

[milky1-2-1]

Ebay is a safe site to use, its better once you know what your doing.
yea, if u follow guidllines on there you will stay safe.
gr8 guide should be stikied :)
+ rep

[TealArms]

Make sure the item that is being sold is against the ebay rules. You may have trouble buying fireworks, or any other item against the rules over ebay.


I think u might want to re-word that

[Dirgeofcerberus]

Nice guide.
I use ebay, I know what Im doing, I use it mostly for selling anyways.
Bought items a few times, came perfect.
Anyway, great guide, +rep.

[Adam$]

Thanks for all the comments, dudes and dudettes. ;D

[mynameishelen!]

Nicee ;]
I don't use ebay, cos I just don't like getting second hand stuff.

[beth]

Nice guide. Could help new buyers alot.
Well done +rep if I can ^_^;;

[Loaned]

This may seem mean and all, but it is safer to NOT buy from Europe. 80% of scammers on eBay are from Europe. 10% from Austraila, and 10% from North America (Canada, USA, Mexico).

[Eamonn]

Huh , i've bought new stuff on there

[pechie100]

nice guide/article
:d

[Adam$]

This may seem mean and all, but it is safer to NOT buy from Europe. 80% of scammers on eBay are from Europe. 10% from Austraila, and 10% from North America (Canada, USA, Mexico).
yeah, I noticed that. There was this dude selling an alpine head unit (the one with the motorised DVD screen) for dead cheap, I checked his feedback, and it was all names like "sdofjoajdot2" "djigjfdo45" etc, and I checked the item and it was named "?"