eBay’s Role in the Auction Action
Throughout the entire auction process, eBay’s computers keep tabs on what’s going on. When the auction is over, eBay takes a small cut of the final selling price and instructs the seller and buyer to contact each other through e-mail. At this point, eBay’s job is pretty much over, and eBay steps aside.
Most of the time, everything works great, everybody’s happy, and eBay never has to step back into the picture.
But if you happen to run into trouble in paradise, eBay can help you settle the problem, whether you’re the buyer or the seller.
eBay also regulates members with a detailed system of checks and balances known as feedback. The grand plan is that the community polices itself. Don’t get me wrong — eBay does jump in when sketchy activity comes to light.
But the people who keep eBay most safe are the community members, the buyers and sellers who have a common stake in conducting business honestly and fairly. Every time you sell something or win an auction, eBay members
have a chance to leave a comment about you. You should do the same for them. If they’re happy, the feedback is positive; otherwise, the feedback is negative. Either way, feedback sticks to you like glue.
Building a great reputation with positive feedback ensures a long and profitable eBay career. Negative feedback, like multiple convictions for grand theft auto, is a real turnoff to most folks and can make it hard to do future business at eBay.
If your feedback rating becomes a –4 (negative 4), eBay can suspend your buying and selling privileges.
Buying It Now at eBay Stores
You don’t have to participate in an auction at eBay to buy something. If you want to make a purchase — if it’s something you really must have — you can usually find the item and buy it immediately. Of course, using Buy it Now (BIN in eBay speak) doesn’t come with the thrill of an auction, but purchasing an item at a reasonable price without leaving your chair has its own warm and
fuzzy kind of excitement.
Visiting eBay stores is as easy as clicking the eBay Stores link from the home page. Thousands of eBay sellers have set up stores with merchandise meant for you to Buy It Now. eBay stores are classified just like eBay, and you can buy anything from pantyhose to jewelry to toasters. Sellers who open eBay stores have to meet a certain level of experience on eBay, and you’re protected by the same fraud protection policy that you are covered with in eBay auctions.
To find out how to zero in on some of the lowest prices and best bargains at eBay Stores, skip over to Part III of this minibook.
