Microsoft MCP Training

In this day and age virtually everyone seems to shop online; it is as common as drinking a cup of coffee it seems. Ecommerce truly has come a long way over the years, and it is only getting more secure as time goes on. However, I still hear a good deal of stories about people getting ripped off when buying electronics online, especially on eBay.

As far as purchasing electronics from the big boys online, such as bestbuy, newegg.com, and walmart, etc., you are generally pretty darn safe. But a good deal of caution needs to be used when dealing with sites such as craigslist and eBay. But do not let that scare you off, since these 2 sites generally have the best deals to be found on the internet (more so eBay though).

Since craigslist is quite a bit different than eBay, and generally does not have many electronics listed on it, we will just give advice for eBay. So with that said, when using eBay, the first (and probably most important) thing to look for, is the user feedback rating, which is prominently displayed at the top right side of the auction page(s). basically if they do not have 99% positive feedback or more, then move on, as it is not worth the risk. It really is that simple.

Another important thing to consider when buying on eBay, is the return policy, which is always listed in the auction details. Certain items, such as the Chinese made electric airsoft rifles, for example, have a really high defect rate, so knowing the return policy BEFORE you buy is highly recommended. Also, look for the item location in the top right of the auction screen; this will tell you where the item is being shipped from, which determines how fast you will get it.

Lastly, be sure to fully read an auction description before you make a purchase. Unfortunately eBay is rather notorious for having sellers that use somewhat (or sometimes downright) misleading auction titles, especially when it comes to electronics. Basically just be sure that there are no hidden surprises buried within the details of an auction description (especially the longer ones). For example, look for defects or flaws in a product, which is rarely ever mentioned in the auction title. In other words, it is just a matter of common sense, and reading the fine print; if you follow this simple rule, you will be safe 99% of the time or more.

This article was brought to you by internet veteran, William Elmiric, who has been safely shopping online for well over a decade now. When it comes to purchasing electronics from eBay, follow his advice, and you are sure to be safe 99% of the time or more. Just follow his advice outlined in the examples above and you will be safe.