Finding great deals on eBay has become very alluring to consumers looking to save major bucks in a struggling economy. According to a study performed by the University of Maryland, consumers have saved a cumulative of $19 billion over the years that eBay has been in business. Despite such a positive review, I am sure most of us have heard the typical eBay horror story of not getting what was paid for in the condition it was promised or not getting what was paid for at all. The bad news is that these horror stories do in fact occur; the good news is that the more informed a buyer is, the less likely he or she is to experience such a horrific purchasing experience.

As an avid user of MTDN, I have found that some users purchase their smart phones off of eBay or are open to the idea of doing so in the near future. Purchasing any range of technological devices off of eBay can become an arduous task if the buyer does not know what to look for or avoid. I have compiled a list of the top 10 Dos and Don’ts of eBay purchasing based on my years of experience in buying and selling on eBay. It is my hope that the following information will assist buyers in having positive eBay purchasing experiences and drastically reduce the likelihood of negative purchasing outcomes.

The Top 10 Dos

1) Do analyze the seller’s Feedback Score. The Feedback Score is completely dependent upon buyer satisfaction. So, naturally the higher the Feedback Score, the higher the number of satisfied buyers. One of the keys to understanding good feedback is making sure that it comes from a variety of buyers. Buyers will sometimes make multiple purchases within a span of time from one seller, and therefore, this is no cause for alarm. However, if it appears that all of the feedback reviews present are by a small handful of repeat buyers, be VERY ALARMED. It is possible this seller may be fabricating feedback.

2) Do take note of the seller’s level. For example, identify if the seller is a Beginner or Power Seller or somewhere in-between. Power Sellers are most often those who have made it their business to sell on eBay. These individuals often pride themselves on giving buyers an excellent purchasing experience. Still, the “little guy” is many times just as capable of meeting your expectations but please BEWARE of the “little guy” who lacks sufficient feedback (see Do #1).

3) Do clarify with the seller the meaning of “AS IS”. Make sure the device you are purchasing works properly, is in desirable shape (pictures can sometimes be deceiving), etc. Be sure to save the message you receive back from the seller clarifying the meaning of “AS IS” in your email inbox; eBay automatically purges its message center. This message from the seller will come in handy if the need to contest the purchase should arise.

4) Do look for the following key words in the title or item description “clear/good ESN”, “unlocked”, “mint”, “brand new”, “nice”, “barely used”, “never used”, “excellent”, and/or “new in box”. If you’re in the market for a brand new item avoid words such as “refurbished” or “used”.

5) Do opt to purchase from sellers who offer a return policy and/or warranty. Things can and do happen in transit. So, purchase from sellers who protect you if the item is received damaged. Some smart phone sellers offer the option to purchase up to a two year warranty through a third party that specializes in such services. This warranty protects a buyer’s device in the event that any future repairs are needed. Be sure to review the terms and conditions of the warranty before purchasing it.

6) Do make sure your service provider is willing to activate an “out of network” smart phone. For example, if your service provider is Verizon and you are purchasing a Sprint Brand smart phone make sure Verizon will activate the Sprint Brand smart phone.

7) Do take the “Seeing is Believing” Approach. Purchase from sellers who display everything you are purchasing in their advertising photos. PayPal allows members to send money without sharing financial information, all with the flexibility to pay using their account balances, bank accounts, credit cards or promotional financing.

8) Do purchase from sellers located within your country’s borders whenever possible; this makes resolving issues a lot easier.

9) Do pay using a secure payment method, especially when purchasing an item located outside of your country’s borders.  Paying through services such as PayPal helps increase buyer protection.

10) Do confirm whether or not your service provider will insure your smart phone. If not, you might consider taking advantage of the optional warranty provided it is offered by the seller. This warranty is often reasonably priced. Always be sure to review the warranty’s details before purchasing.

The Top 10 Don’ts

1) Don’t buy a cell phone with a bad ESN unless you plan on using it for parts. It is virtually impossible to activate a cell phone with a bad ESN. So, be smart and don’t waste your money.

2) Don’t buy a damaged smart phone if you’re not prepared to pay repair costs out-of-pocket. Even if your service provider will insure the smart phone, it will only be against future damage.

3) Don’t buy a “Dummy” or “Display” smart phone with the intentions of using it for parts.  The only usable part is the smart phone’s casing. “Dummy” or “Display” smart phones are made to look and feel like the actual smart phone, but these smart phones are in no way authentic or functional.

4) Don’t sign a cell phone contract with an eBay seller without taking the time to legitimize their business with the company they represent. For example, if the seller is offering a Sprint Contract, call Sprint and verify that the seller does indeed represent this company legally.

5) Don’t divulge your account number by paying with a personal check and don’t pay with cash.  Always opt for a secure payment method like PayPal when possible. Your best alternative to PayPal is to use a bank money order; it’s secure and able to be tracked; use this only as a personal last resort and NOT at the seller’s request. A seller discouraging the use of the most secure payment method is to be AVOIDED.

6) Don’t bid without the intention to buy, utilize the “Watch this item” feature located in the upper right hand corner of each eBay listing.

7) DON’T LEAVE FEEDBACK RIGHT AWAY!!! You have up to 60 days to leave feedback. So, spend some time with your technology and make sure you have received what you paid for.

8) Don’t shy away from “Buy It Now” items; bidding can get ugly so explore all of your possible money saving options.

9) Don’t buy from sellers using factory photos as the only means to display their merchandise because there is no way to confirm what you are purchasing. Remember “Seeing is Believing”.

10) Don’t be afraid to ask the seller questions. It is your money, and you have the right to know-no question is a dumb question.

I hope that you have found these tips useful. Always remember when in doubt - post on the forum! We are not liable for any purchases made in person, online, or through eBay; however, we are more than happy to answer any general questions you might have. After all, an educated consumer is a satisfied consumer.

Filed under: How-to guides