Buyer Education

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Know Your Seller
Why Should I Know The Seller?
eBay provides a safe and comfortable buying experience for the vast majority of our members. However, it's a good idea to learn as much as possible about your seller in order to ensure your buying experience is a positive one.

Here are some simple hints to help your purchase go smoothly:

Ask Questions

  • Email the seller with any questions you may have.



  • Call the seller if you have won an item by requesting your trading partner's contact information.

Review Feedback

  • Check a seller's feedback before you make a bid.
  • Contact the seller before bidding if they have no feedback or negative feedback.
  • Investigate whether the seller has successfully sold similar items.

Postage Terms

  • Be sure you know postage & handling charges before you bid.
  • Ask to have your item posted in a traceable manner.

Payment

  • Consider using PayPal as a payment means if it is an available option - many listings are covered by PayPal's Buyer Protection Programme.
  • Be wary of sellers who only accept one form of payment. This may be a cause for concern, especially when the seller exclusively requests bank cheques, wire transfers or cash.
  • Never send cash and use caution when paying with cash equivalents such as bank deposits.

Item Description

  • Don't assume without confirmation that claims about an item's condition or value are true, or that photographs are accurate.
  • Exercise caution when purchasing items with a significantly delayed delivery time. Review our pre-sale listing policy.