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10 Things To Do BEFORE You Bid On Any Product From An Online
Auction
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By George Cuthbert
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1. Know the value of the product before you bid. If theproductis brand new, check to see what price retailers arecharging for it. Only by doing this will you have any idea whatprice to bid. If the item is used or reconditioned, you willwant to pay way less than the retail value.
2. If the product's description or picture isn't detailed enoughfor you, contact the merchant to get more information before youbid. You don't want to take a chance to waste your hard earnedmoney. Not only this but the way in which the seller responds,ie promptly, pleasantly, and with full details, or the oppositeof this, will give you more confidence about bidding or you maydecide not to bid at all.
3. Work out the highest price you will bid for the product andstick with it. Don't get caught up in a bidding war; you may endup paying more than the product is worth. Add in all thepossible extras such as the shipping costs and any import dutiesand taxes (if buying from abroad).
4. Visit a few online auctions before bidding because somemerchants auction the same product on different auction sites.You may be able to purchase the product for a lower price in anunpopular auction because there are less bidders.
5. Take a note of the time the auction begins and ends. You alsowant to know how long it will take to ship. You need to havethis information if you want the product by a certain date, forinstance, as a gift.
6. Find out about the payment options the merchant acceptsbefore you bid on their item. If they only accept checks ormoney orders, it may take even longer to get the product becausethe payment has to clear. If they accept credit cards make surethey have a secure server
7. Check whether the merchant offers a warranty or money backguarantee before bidding. You don't want to get stuck withsomething that does not work or that you're not satisfied with.
8. Most online auctions allow you to check the merchants'history with their auction. This is usually their "Feedback"record. Check to see if people have complained about theirproducts or business practices before you decide to bid
9. Don't place a bid early in the auction as this only alertsother potential bidders that you are interested and drives upthe price. Wait until the last moments of an auction beforebidding if you can. Naturally enough the auction site ownerswill exhort you to bid early as this is in their best interests,after all, they get more in fees the more an item makes.Remember not to go over your maximum bid price.
10. Following on from 9 above this is another reason to knowwhen the auction ends; you can place a last minute bid. Otherbidders may not be keeping track of when the auction ends or maynot have the time to bid again.
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