How to Buy on eBay Safely

Last Updated: June 29, 2021 References

Fraudulent activity is something that eBay has been combating since its inception, and 1 of the ways in which it does this is by creating awareness about how to buy on eBay safely. There are some safety concerns such as making secure transactions that are common for online purchasing in general, whereas other issues such as validating a seller's identification are more specific to online auction websites such as eBay. Ebay's goal is to gain the buyer's trust and it does this by monitoring for fraud on a regular basis and offering a buyer protection plan on purchases of $25 or more.

Method 1

Method 1 of 6:

Buying Safely Online

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Follow these general rules when you buy online not only through eBay but also any other website.^{[1]
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- Check the website address (URL) to make sure you are on the correct website.
- Connect to the Internet safely. Try to use a wired connection to connect to the Internet directly instead of using a wireless connection at public places such as a Starbucks that can be hacked more easily.
- Install an anti-virus program. It is best to use a software with live monitoring so it will protect you from viruses in real-time while you are browsing the Internet.
- Never allow websites such as eBay to save your payment details. Not allowing your computer system or websites to store your payment details helps keep your payment information confidential.
- Log out after you have completed your transaction. Otherwise, someone could use the same computer that you were using to buy products and have them billed to your account. This rule is especially important when using a public computer that is accessed by multiple users.

Method 2

Method 2 of 6:

Know What You're Buying

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Read the details of the item carefully. Look at photos of the item if they are available. Develop a clear understanding of what is being sold so you don't end up buying something you don't want.^{[2]
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Check the condition of the item. Make sure it is not damaged (unless you wish to purchase a damaged item for parts).
3
Review the bid policies. Here are some policies that you should check for on the item's page.
- Refund Policy: It is better to buy a product that offers full refund including return shipment.
- Shipping: Find a product with low shipping cost otherwise you will end up paying much more than what you anticipated.
4
Ask the seller if there is something about the item or policies that you need to clarify.

Method 3

Method 3 of 6:

Know the Seller

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Look at the seller's rating (under the seller's username). The seller should have a high positive feedback rating (preferably at least 90 percent). It is safest to purchase from top-rated sellers (with a "Top-rated seller" badge next to their name).^{[3]
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Click on the seller's ID number (next to the seller's username). This will take you to the seller's feedback profile where you can see detailed feedback ratings and comments made about the seller.^{[4]
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Browse through other items that the seller is selling. Don't buy from the seller if you see suspicious activity, such as valuable items being sold at very low prices.

Method 4

Method 4 of 6:

Payment Method

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Pay using PayPal if possible. PayPal is the recommended method to buy on eBay safely because it offers more protection for buyers. If you use a credit card, check your credit card balance to make sure you have been billed the correct amount and have not paid for any items that you don't recognize later on.^{[5]
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Method 5

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Contacting Authorities

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Give the seller a chance to resolve the issue first. Ask him or her why you haven't received the item or why it is not as you had expected. At times, there may be a delay or mix-up during shipping and sellers are usually very cooperative because they want to keep their customers happy and avoid negative feedback on eBay.^{[6]
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Contact eBay's customer support department. There is a customer support link at the top-right corner of the website. Report the issue clearly and politely.^{[7]
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3
Reverse your payment if possible. Some credit card companies will reverse transactions on your account balance if you report them as fraudulent transactions. You can use the "Security and Protection" link on the PayPal homepage to try to get a PayPal transaction reversed and report fraudulent transactions.

Method 6

Method 6 of 6:

Ebay Resolution Center

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Open a case through the eBay Resolution Center. Here is what you need to do.^{[8]
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- Go to the eBay homepage.
- Move your mouse cursor over "Customer Support" in the top-right corner of the page and click on "Resolution Center" from the drop-down menu.
- Answer the on-screen questions step-by-step to file your case with eBay. The buyer protection plan is part of eBay's refund policy that gives you full money back on purchases of $25 or more if you have been a victim of fraudulent activity and have reported the matter through the eBay Resolution Center.

Community Q&A

Question

Is it possible to order from eBay and pay cash on delivery?

Community Answer

No. You have to pay right after you purchase it online.
Question

How would I know if the item is just like the same one on the pictures? Some say "the images are for reference only, please take the item you get as standard."

Vieno

Community Answer

I would never buy from a seller who disclaims the pictures. However, if you're willing to buy from a seemingly clueless seller, you can always open a SNAD (significantly not as described) claim and are likely (though never guaranteed) to get your money back if the item looks significantly different from the pictures.
Question

Is shipping free when I pay with eBay gift cards?

Vieno

Community Answer

Your form of payment has nothing to do with the shipping cost. Sellers set the cost of shipping, not eBay.