Unofficial Christ's Hospital Forum

Are any of you out there in Virtualville E-bayers? Do you have any advice or tips for a bidder new to the scene?

Keep an eye on postage prices! Some sellers charge a fortune for p & p - and the item turns up 2nd class post in a re-used jiffy bag!

Don`t bid too early - keep a watch on the item.

Place your maximum bid to start with - and stick to it - it`s all too tempting to go higher!

And be sure to read seller`s feedback.

WARNING - you will spend hours looking at things to buy! But it`s a good place to see how much things are - and often quite a bit cheaper than the High Street for new goods.

Have fun!

I buy regularly on e-bay : trick is to decide exactly what you are looking for, and how much you are prepared to pay for it - and stick to that limit.
Except for rare collectors' items, there will always be another opportunity at a later date - so don't be tempted to buy " at any price".

If you find your heart's desire at a good price, don't bid immediately - watch item and bid at the last minute.

I have found some terrific bargains over the months ( e.g. a brand new DVD recorder for 93 euros...)

Postage prices are not just for shipment but also include Paypal or e-bay commissions paid by seller, this is why sometimes they seem so high.
ALWAYS check feedback from other buyers, and remember that your bid is binding - so think before you click !

As Euterpe13 says, you're generally best off bidding at the very last minute. Bidding earlier only alerts others of your interest and risks driving the price up.

Read the item description *really* carefully. 'XBOX 360 - NEW BOX' may actually just be the cardboard box, not the games console. That's an extreme example, but you are pretty much stuck with any defects or limitations the seller discloses. Even on eBay, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

If you see a bargain outside the EU, remember that you may have to pay Customs charges (VAT, duty, and brokerage) when you import it.