How Safe Is It To Purchase Items From E-BAY???

Question

I am aware that E-BAY is a massive phenomenon at the moment and many people buy items fom there. But How safe it??? I was watching on the news that every year millions of pounds are being lost due to fraudsters.

How do can you be sure, that once you have purchased an item, the item will even show up???

I have yet to use E-BAY...But I want to be sure that it is safe before I start buying things there.

Answer 1

Pay with Paypal - it is the safest option - because if the item doesn't turn up , is not as described or is faulty - you are protected and will get your money back.



This can take a few weeks - and you may have to return the item - paying the return shipping on your own - but at least you are protected.



Whenever I buy things that are expensive I only pay if Paypal is offered.



Feedback is another indicator of how good the seller is, but cannot be trusted 100% - some sellers have more than 1 ID.



I have not had any major problems however and chances are you won't either. Start with something cheaper and see how hat goes - then you will feel more confident about it all.



Good luck

Answer 2

Ebay is very good for all your buying and selling needs, you just need to make sure you use paypal for everything, as there are security checks done on everyone that registers with them . I am a regular Ebay user and you get some really good deals , there are some fraudsters out there but if you just stick to using PAYPAL and remember to ALWAYS check the feedback score of the seller you should be ok. Alot of people have between 99.1% -99.9% feedback this is not a bad thing, it just means that someone that isn't a regular user of Ebay may have left poor feedback (if the item didn't arrive on time or , there was a fault with the item they purchased) but they never got in contact with the seller to try and sort it out. Alot of bad feedback is left by people that are new to Ebay and are not sure how it all works ,If they have a problem they just leave bad feedback straight away instead of getting in touch with the seller/buyer and try to sort out the problem , most of the time they are very helpfull and the problems can be resolved quickly with no adverse feedback .Nobody wants bad feedback so they will usually always try their best to help you so, if you ever have a problem all you need do is contact the seller / buyer and try and sort it out via E-mail .

When I was new to Ebay I was just like you , worried that someone would empty my bank account as soon as i bought something . i was just finding my feet while browsing a few items when I bought a sony psp by accident and was really worried that I would have to pay for it even though I didn't want it, because once you win an item you are under obligation to buy it . but I got in touch with the seller and explained mysef to him and he was understanding and cancelled the transaction , plus he left me positive feedback too . This made me feel better about the whole experiance and since then I always use Ebay to get all my bit and bobs . all you need to remember is always use PAYPAL and check the feedback . I hope this helps you eliminate your doubts about using Ebay.



Happy Shopping :-)

Answer 3

Always, & I mean always purchase from a seller that uses Paypal. Never purchase anything from anyone that says to send Western Union or MO. The reason is that you cant trace or get that money back! I know this from experience! Also, if you are wanting to purchase, make sure that the seller is either a power seller or has more than 20 sales under there belt. You can tell how many transactions they have done by the number in ( ) next to there id name. And be sure to read the feedback. That is soo important so you can see how the other transactions went. You will know if anyone else had any problems w/the seller, by the rating they give them, whether its positive or negative. Good luck & have fun

Answer 4

It is best to buy from ebay stores within ebay as these are people who are using ebay as a business tool rather than just a random person selling something. There is always a risk when purchasing through any website on the internet that the item may not turn up. This isn't always the sellers fault, sometimes the postal service can be to blame. As a rule, if you aren't prepared to take a bit of a risk, then don't purchase online. Ebay is pretty good though as you can check people's feedback before purchasing anything from them.

Answer 5

It is not absolutely safe, but then nothing is. You do not buy from Ebay, you buy from the sellers via Ebay.

Ebay do all they can to make it safe, the feedback service is a good guide to how other customers feel about the service from sellers.

I have had a few problems, but they represent a tiny proportion of the number of things which I bought. One item wasn't suitable, and seller was not helpful. One seller falsely accused me of trying to avoid payment, he never sent the item but returned my money. One sent me a cd case without the CD, he was very difficult to deal with, but eventually refunded my money. The only other problem was resolved when the seller sent the items after a relative returned my money.



Nothing is purely safe, but ebay is safer than most.

One warning there are a lot of false ebay, and paypal emails where people try to get your sign in details. If you join ebay, read there security details.

Answer 6

first thing to do is check the sellers feedback

usually I don't bid on items if the seller has low feedback or alot of negatives



ask seller questions before bidding



ask if they give tracking numbers ...I don't bid unless I get tracking numbers...this way I know when my package will be at my door



If buying expensive items ask if they insure the package (because some don't,inurance is important)



If you make a purchase keep all emails paypal reciepts and so on ..this is all your proof of purchase



and this probably isn't the best thing to say but STAY AWAY FROM SELLERS AND BIDDERS Over seas

I have had way too many problems with foreign exchanges

and you can find out where the seller is from on his or her auction page



Everything has its good and bad points ,but

if you use common sense you shouldn't have any problems



I hope you get the chance to experience ebay

I have used it for buying/selling for over 7 years

and i have had very few problems

I have made alot of money and i have got alot of cool things for sometimes less than half the retail price on items that are still in perfect condition

Answer 7

Ebay is very safe if you follow simple steps.



Check out the sellers feedback.

Check where the item is sent from. Avoid China,Hongkong any Asia, Africa.

Always pay with PayPal.

Never go by a link to Ebay or Update any info. Ebay never ask you to do this in a email.

Never go by a link to PayPal or Update info.



I am a former seller on Ebay and I still buy a lot from all around the world. Ebay is great just stick to the rules.

Answer 8

I've used them for several years and have a feedback score of over 450, that means I'be bought or sold to at least 450 people, some of them I have bought from and sold to many times. I have only had 2 problems, one the buyer never paid, but then as I never send till I get the money he never got the item, the second, the item never arrived, despite my paying for it, contacted the seller and they refunded all money, including postage. I would suggest that you ONLY use PayPal to pay fro items or for buyers to pay you, yes you do have to pay for the privilege, but you know you can always get your money refunded by PayPal if there are problems. I buy from and sell to people all over the world.

Answer 9

Paypal is safe, and the best option. You just need to login to the account, to confirm payment has been received, before posting. You have to be wary of fake emails with Paypal/eBay headers, urging you to pay, or post immediately, as these are probably scams. Always check eBay feedback. This is the UK site; not the best place for Australian questions.

Answer 10

I have also been using ebay for years with no major problems. Feedback scores are very important so read what buyers are saying about the seller. Just trust you instincts sometimes you can get a great deal but sometimes if it's too good to be true then it probably is.

Answer 11

I always use PayPal and never had any bother but I only buy from ebay stores and check the sellers feedback before you buy

Answer 12

It's quite safe , check the sellers feedback first and buy Items using Pay Pal and you shouldn't go wrong. its the safest option.

Answer 13

I've never had any problems on it. Tho i only shop with people that have a high positive feedback rating. Then you can be sure that they are genuine sellers. It's not full of weirdo's like this site is! lol.

Answer 14

sometimes people advertisers require a cashamount e.g for a car, and yes I am assuring you that some people are after cash so beware only make small puchases and with a credit card which you only use for on,line purchases!



so small puchases yeah! nothing like cars or bikes

Answer 15

i have purchased many things from e-bay and havn,t had any problems i think you will find that there are more good people than bad and mostly very genuine good luck and happy buying.

Answer 16

i use e bay and have had no problems set up a pay pal account though

Answer 17

Pay-pal wont always protect you I bought a jacket when it arrived it was a fake. but pay-pal found in the sellers favour. even though i have in dependant evidence it was a fake



Ps the Guy is still selling them

http://www.paypalsucks.com/

Answer 18

it's ok use paypal and check sellers feedback and buy from those with really good feedback and you should be ok

Answer 19

yes,paypal is the safe's way to go,i know alot of people that use's paypal,& its safe.