I am recently getting into EBAY but I am concerned because I think you have to give out your full name and mailing address to other users if you purchase something,correct? Please give me opinions and personal experiences dealing with EBAY.
2006-08-08 08:35:15 · 5 answers · asked by Sweetie1204 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Internet
Hi. I am an 8 year Ebay seller. Yes, if you want them to ship the item to you, you'll need to give them your mailing address. No getting around that. You could get a PO box and have your items shipped there...that would be safer from a security standpoint if you are worried about that.
That's really not the main concern you should have though...it's the potential for fraud. If you are primarily going to be buying items, check the seller's "feedback" (the number by their user ID name). This tells you how many successful transactions they've had, and you will be able to see how many "negatives", if any, they've received from less than happy customers. This isn't always a 100% indication of a sellers trustworthiness, but it's a good start. A good seller will also be glad to answer questions about the item (be sure to ask well in advance of the auction's end), and some even offer a return policy if you aren't satisfied (within a reasonable time frame of course). Also, you should find out in advance of bidding EXACTLY what the seller's terms of sale are...how much shipping costs, etc. so you don't have any surprises once you win the item and find out that the shipping, insurance, etc. is more than you expected.
Bear in mind that many ebay sellers are business people who derive some or all of their income through ebay...so, just as you want to be treated fairly, do the same in return. Don't use them as an "approval service" where you merely test-drive the item then send it back, and don't ask a million questions unless you are seriously interested in bidding on the item. In other words, don't waste their time, just as you would not want your time wasted. This is a business situation and both parties should treat it as such.
I could write a novel on the do's and don'ts of Ebay, but the best thing for you to do is to go to the ebay site and navigate through their help screens on buying and selling...most any question you have should be answered there. Also check the community discussion boards...you'll hear both sides, good and bad.
Good luck.
2006-08-08 08:57:29 · answer #1 · answered by answerman63 5 · 12⤊ 1⤋
EBAY itself is quite secure - I have never had problems with the site. However, remember that you're not buying, you're bidding. EBAY is an online auction, and the items you're bidding on belong to actual people, nut a big company. What this means is it's possible for someone to take your money and then not send you the item you got from them...
... but very few people do that on purpose, thanks to the five thousand dollar lawsuit that often follows.
2006-08-08 08:40:41 · answer #2 · answered by alpha32blue 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have been buying and selling on ebay ssince 98 and never had any problems.Yes you do have to give your address to the buyer.We always hear the bad stuff about ebay,but never hear the good.
Ebay has a message bord on their home page click community.
2006-08-08 08:44:51 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I havent had any trouble with it. i buy alot of stuff off ebay. sometimes what you purchase isnt what you expected. but usually you get a refund.
2006-08-08 08:41:21 · answer #4 · answered by duc602 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have many friends who use ebay and never have any problems its safe enough
2006-08-08 09:10:19 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋