Copyright 2005 Brad Eden
Fake items abound on eBay, and it takes much effort not to be
duped by scammers who peddle these wares. There have been many
painful stories relating how a seemingly legitimate item turned
out to be either fake or defective.
It is possible, however, to avoid these scams if one is careful
and vigilant. Buyers should be wary of any purchase over eBay,
and should take steps to ensure the authenticity of the item and
to make sure the item is in reasonable condition.
Be Vigilant
Buyers should take the initiative by doing plenty of background
research. They must learn as much as possible about the products
before bidding on them. If the seller provides pictures of an
item, they should not be taken at face value. Comparison of
these pictures with the real item helps in this regard.
Many sellers will use pictures from manufacturers that do not
represent the item they are actually selling; buyers should ask
the seller for actual pictures of the item. If the seller balks,
buyers should refrain from bidding. Collector?s items,
autographed memorabilia, and historical artifacts are common
items that are misrepresented on eBay.
Authenticate
Familiarize yourself with the various bodies that certify
respective items. For example, reputable merchants of
autographed sports memorabilia should include a COA (certificate
of authenticity) from a trusted third party. Counterfeit or
misrepresented items should be reported to eBay. When buying on
eBay Motors, one may have an inspection service double-check if
the seller is accurately representing his automobile.
Look at the Feedback
One should analyze the feedback rating of a seller. Analyzing
feedback is another helpful exercise to prevent scams. Sellers
who have an established history of credible sales are usually
helpful and professional to deal with. Negative feedback should
be a red flag as to whether one should pursue a trade with the
person. The same thing applies for those who do not have
feedback ratings at all.
Buyers must be careful however, since it is possible that a
scammer has hijacked an account that has positive feedback.
Buyers should make sure they have read the entire product
description on its eBay listing. Things to look out for are
disclaimers, damages, current item condition, years of use, and
others. If this information is not specified, it would do well
for the buyer to contact the seller regarding such.
The Price Theory
If the price for an item is too good to be true, it probably is.
Auctions that carry outrageously low prices should be taken
skeptically.
About the author:
Brad Eden is a Entrepreneurial Sciences expert with 14 years of
industry experience in real estate, marketing and technical
communication. He currently consults with IBM in CA. Brad owns &
operates a free traffic resource for entrepreneurs.
http://www.amercanfreetraffic.com/home.html
