How To Buy Smart At Auction Sites

Time was when if you were looking for say, a collector's edition watch, you had just a few options available to you - you could send out word through your community of fellow watch enthusiasts that you were in the market for that particular model, browse through collector's shops until you zeroed in on what you were looking for, or looked through trade magazines hoping that your prized beauty would turn up somewhere.

Not anymore.

Today, the world goes online every time it wants to buy a beer mug, a crocheted afghan, jeep parts, and everything in between. Auction sites have taken off, making the prospect of finding little treasures not just easy, but convenient and safe too. Unfortunately, like with so much else online, there's always an element of deceit and trickery involved. Where there is money to be made, you can expect that there will be crooks too. If you're thinking of buying something online at an auction site, use your smarts, be cautious, and above all, take your time over a purchase.

Here are some hints to help you make a smart purchase when you shop at an auction site.

First and foremost, look for an auction site that's safe, and has a privacy policy in place. Look for the padlock icon that denotes a safe site. You can find this icon at the bottom of your browser.

Next, check the credentials of the seller carefully. The seller should have not just a telephone number, but also a physical address. If there is only a PO Box number, move on to another seller.

Once you have zeroed in on an item that you like, and a seller that you're certain is the real deal, take advantage of his contact details. Call the seller to clear any lingering doubts you have. Ideally, you should be able to talk to your seller before you make a purchase. If you have trouble getting through the phone line, or get a busy signal every time you call, chances are high that there is a scam under operation. Of course, this doesn't always have to be the case; phone lines do go dead at times. But if you constantly have trouble getting through to a seller, it's safe to take it as a sign of impending trouble.

Don't rely on cell phone numbers, or toll free numbers.

Check the seller's feedback and rating. Most professional auction sites will allow buyers to leave feedback for a seller after purchasing and receiving the goods. Ideally, your seller should have done business with a number of people and received good ratings from all of them.

Once you're sure that everything looks legit, use only your credit card or your Pay pal account to make a purchase.

Avoid wire transfers at all costs, especially if the goods are being shipped from overseas. Facilities like Western Union don't bear responsibility after the money has been sent to the seller, and your options in the event of a scam or non delivery of goods, become extremely limited.

Many auction sites recommend an escrow service. An escrow service is one of the safer ways to pay for goods that you purchase at an auction site. A third party will hold your funds until you receive the item, and are satisfied with it. If there is an escrow service offered by the site, make use of it. The seller should also be in favor of an escrow service. If he hems and haws about why he can't use an escrow service, look for another seller.

In the event that you still get scammed, look towards your auction site's own protection service. Certain auction sites will offer a protection guarantee, and will pay out the cost of the product, but bear in mind that the payout is usually restricted to a certain amount. Before you place the order, it's best to check up on the sort of protection guarantee that the site offers, and try to place an order that will cost less than the specified amount guaranteed.

Scammers exist everywhere, and with the Internet providing such a large number of people ready to shop and drop hard earned cash, the potential for scams is always high. Always keep your eyes open, be alert and make sure you're aware of the all the auction site policies, so you can avoid any surprises later.

Happy shopping!

Robert Griggs writes for Sell It On The Coast which is an online Auctions in Spain website aimed at the English speaking community living in Spain.