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How to Check if the Seller is Genuine
by Brian McGregor

As interest increases in internet auctions, there are more people than ever starting to use this exciting form of buying and selling. Bidders that are new to auctions are sometimes apprehensive about sending payment for an item to a complete stranger. This is quite natural.

If you're a seller, you need to understand that buyers can feel exposed at payment time.

Having said that, in my experience, 99%+ of all the contacts I have had with eBay members have been good, honest and positive. There are very few people trying to take advantage of you. However, there are some. And so it pays to look for the signs and to take precautions. What I advise here won't totally prevent fraud, but it will minimise your chances of being a victim.

If you are a bidder, here are three key actions to take BEFORE you bid:-

a) Check the seller's feedback

Every member has a feedback rating - it's the number that appears immediately after their User ID. Click on this number and you'll be taken to a list showing feedback the seller has received from other buyers. An overall high number is generally considered to be good, but look for negative comments in the seller's feedback. See if they relate to the type of item you are considering bidding for. Look also and see if the seller has replied to negative comments. Whenever negative feedback is left, the seller has the opportunity to comment on the feedback given and genuine sellers are likely to explain how the negative occurred. If the seller has no feedback or negative feedback only, you should exercise caution - it may be wise to steer clear.

For the vast majority of sellers their feedback rating is something they wish to develop and protect. Sellers don't spend months and years building up their feedback just to rip-off one buyer. So, please look at the feedback - it is far and away the single most important indication you're going to get before the sale as to the credibility and legitimacy of a seller.

b) Check the length of membership

On eBay the date of joining is given if you click onto the User ID of the seller.

Plus there is an icon against User IDs which are less than 30 days old. This may be a brand new seller, or it may be an existing seller who has chosen to set up a new ID.

People that set up scam auctions are usually in a hurry. They don't want to wait before they activate and capitalise on their operation, so if they’re a new seller this is an indicator for you to be wary.

However unfair it appears to be, realise that there is more risk in dealing with new sellers.

c) "Talk" to the seller

If the item is something you really are interested in bidding for, and the feedback isn't conclusive for you, I would recommend you ask the seller a question while the auction is live. There is a facility to do this via email provided by eBay. Your question can be to clarify anything to do with the auction - delivery, model number, size, RRP, anything you like.

The reason I suggest you do this is that you can get a feel for the seller from the tone and type of reply. Any decent seller would be pleased to hear from a potential bidder, and will reply quickly, helpfully and accurately. Someone out for a quick kill might not want to get into "conversation" with inquisitive bidders.

I hope these suggestions prove useful, and help to prevent any problems in bidding and buying.


About the Author

Brian McGregor is an internet business creator, consultant and author. He is the author of several books including 'The eBay Formula', an essential guide to selling successfully on eBay. He has also written many articles and is published on the internet and in the printed media. He is also editor of the eBay Auction Newsletter, which you can subscribe to free. For a free ebook on how to use the leverage of eBay to help your business grow, go to http://www.leads-generation.co.uk/lgdl. For full information about Brian, go to his main website http://www.workwinners.com


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