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How to buy on eBay

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Chances are you already know how eBay works: you search for an item, bid on it, wait some time and hope that you win the auction. Pretty simple, right? But then you go on NikeTalk to find amazing deals other sneakerheads have found. How were they able to swim through the ocean of fake Jordans and Dunks? How did you manage to miss the chance to bid on those amazing sneakers? Here are some tips that I swear by almost religiously.

Tip 1: Be simple yet creative in your searches.

Are you looking for a pair of Air Jordan XI Space Jam’s in a size 10.5 on eBay (risking that they could be fake)? Well, chances are thousands of other eBayers are too and are typing in what you just did: “Jordan XI Space Jam 10.5.” Be simple yet creative. Choose something like “Jordan 10.5,” which will indefinitely broaden your search but may be well-worth your time. Who knows, maybe you could stumble on a pair of authentic Jordan III’s at a reasonable Buy It Now price. By being creative, you could also type in “Jorden.” It’s unlikely that people usually spell Jordan that way, but you never know.

Tip 2: Avoid bidding on shoes that seem “too good to be true.”

The seller is offering DS Jordan 1’s for $18 Buy It Now? Don’t even think about it (unless you have strong reasons to believe that seller has no idea what he or she is selling). You can’t even find regular Nikes at malls at that price usually, so there should be no reason a seller shouldn’t be asking for more.

Tip 3: Read the comments in the seller’s feedback.

I cannot stress this enough. You don’t have to plow through all 2000 or even 50 feedback comments. If the seller has had a negative feedback in the past, look up what the comment was. If it was an old feedback comment and the seller has attained 100 positive feedbacks since then, don’t sweat too much. But if it was a complaint about sending fake shoes or trying to fraud the buyer- stay away. It is better to be safe then sorry.

Tip 4: Search backwards.

Instead of only focusing on how many minutes an auction has left, search the items “recently listed.” Once in a while you have a seller who has no idea what he or she is selling and will set a Buy It Now price relatively low.

Tip 5: Bid on auctions during the very last minute.

If you can help it, don’t bid a day early, an hour early, or even five minutes early. Bid within the last minute. You don’t need that automatic auction sniper; you can be one yourself.

Tip 6: Buy from sellers that have a good reputation.

Typically more than 50 positive feedback and over 98.0% feedback. This is not a rule of thumb, so use your judgment.

Tip 7: Request additional pictures and ask questions if you are unsatisfied with the auction’s description.

Okay, so the seller only has one picture which was probably taken with a 1.0 megapixel camera without flash in complete darkness. Instead of assuming the best, assume the worst and contact the ebayer. Of course, be nice in your inquiries and do not attack their shoes as fake. It could just be that the picture does not justify the appearance of the shoes. And if important information like size of shoes, condition, inclusion of original box, and shipping charges are not included- ask! Sellers should not get pissed off with your questions… unless they are completely stupid ones, of course.

Tip 8: Buy almost new shoes.

I know, some of you cannot understand why in the world anyone would buy non-DS shoes but a lot of people do (amazingly). There is usually an incredible price difference between brand new shoes and shoes that were only worn a few times. It’s also the same way with brand new shoes with original box and without.

Tip 9: Do not be a spam-bidder (if you can help it).

I take my auctions seriously and I do check on bidder’s history if I suspect he or she is bidding on hundreds of auctions without the intention of paying. Think about it, what if you do end up winning all these auctions? If you’re rich, then I guess it doesn’t matter but for the rest of us, focus on the shoes you want to win.

Tip 10: Bid on my auctions!

Just kidding, but I’m definitely legit and I’ll occasionally carry some rare gems. But to add to this tip, the reputation of the seller cannot be overstated. Some sellers just yap about their positive reputation; others show it through their quality service. Be you sure you know how to distinguish the two apart.

If you would like more tips, let me know and I’ll consider adding more information in the future. Please ask for my permission if you decide to reproduce or post these tips.



Sneakers Sold Links/Resources References Collections Sneakerology		Chances are you already know how eBay works: you search for an item, bid on it, wait some time and hope that you win the auction. Pretty simple, right? But then you go on NikeTalk to find amazing deals other sneakerheads have found. How were they able to swim through the ocean of fake Jordans and Dunks? How did you manage to miss the chance to bid on those amazing sneakers? Here are some tips that I swear by almost religiously. Tip 1: Be simple yet creative in your searches. Are you looking for a pair of Air Jordan XI Space Jam’s in a size 10.5 on eBay (risking that they could be fake)? Well, chances are thousands of other eBayers are too and are typing in what you just did: “Jordan XI Space Jam 10.5.” Be simple yet creative. Choose something like “Jordan 10.5,” which will indefinitely broaden your search but may be well-worth your time. Who knows, maybe you could stumble on a pair of authentic Jordan III’s at a reasonable Buy It Now price. By being creative, you could also type in “Jorden.” It’s unlikely that people usually spell Jordan that way, but you never know. Tip 2: Avoid bidding on shoes that seem “too good to be true.” The seller is offering DS Jordan 1’s for $18 Buy It Now? Don’t even think about it (unless you have strong reasons to believe that seller has no idea what he or she is selling). You can’t even find regular Nikes at malls at that price usually, so there should be no reason a seller shouldn’t be asking for more. Tip 3: Read the comments in the seller’s feedback. I cannot stress this enough. You don’t have to plow through all 2000 or even 50 feedback comments. If the seller has had a negative feedback in the past, look up what the comment was. If it was an old feedback comment and the seller has attained 100 positive feedbacks since then, don’t sweat too much. But if it was a complaint about sending fake shoes or trying to fraud the buyer- stay away. It is better to be safe then sorry. Tip 4: Search backwards. Instead of only focusing on how many minutes an auction has left, search the items “recently listed.” Once in a while you have a seller who has no idea what he or she is selling and will set a Buy It Now price relatively low. Tip 5: Bid on auctions during the very last minute. If you can help it, don’t bid a day early, an hour early, or even five minutes early. Bid within the last minute. You don’t need that automatic auction sniper; you can be one yourself. Tip 6: Buy from sellers that have a good reputation. Typically more than 50 positive feedback and over 98.0% feedback. This is not a rule of thumb, so use your judgment. Tip 7: Request additional pictures and ask questions if you are unsatisfied with the auction’s description. Okay, so the seller only has one picture which was probably taken with a 1.0 megapixel camera without flash in complete darkness. Instead of assuming the best, assume the worst and contact the ebayer. Of course, be nice in your inquiries and do not attack their shoes as fake. It could just be that the picture does not justify the appearance of the shoes. And if important information like size of shoes, condition, inclusion of original box, and shipping charges are not included- ask! Sellers should not get pissed off with your questions… unless they are completely stupid ones, of course. Tip 8: Buy almost new shoes. I know, some of you cannot understand why in the world anyone would buy non-DS shoes but a lot of people do (amazingly). There is usually an incredible price difference between brand new shoes and shoes that were only worn a few times. It’s also the same way with brand new shoes with original box and without. Tip 9: Do not be a spam-bidder (if you can help it). I take my auctions seriously and I do check on bidder’s history if I suspect he or she is bidding on hundreds of auctions without the intention of paying. Think about it, what if you do end up winning all these auctions? If you’re rich, then I guess it doesn’t matter but for the rest of us, focus on the shoes you want to win. Tip 10: Bid on my auctions! Just kidding, but I’m definitely legit and I’ll occasionally carry some rare gems. But to add to this tip, the reputation of the seller cannot be overstated. Some sellers just yap about their positive reputation; others show it through their quality service. Be you sure you know how to distinguish the two apart. If you would like more tips, let me know and I’ll consider adding more information in the future. Please ask for my permission if you decide to reproduce or post these tips.