Are You A Responsible Bidder? Find Out! Online auctions are an excellent place for shoppers to find great deals, items they wouldn't be able to buy anywhere else, and other specialties. Holiday shopping online is particularly popular. Hard to find presents can crop up on auction sites, and bidding can skyrocket. That leads to both sellers and buyers forgetting about basic courtesy. Let's take a look at what you need to know about smart and responsible online auction purchases - during the holidays, or any other time of year. It can be pretty easy to be excited by all the competition and the possible low prices you'll get on the best online auction sites. That's why it's important to take care and keep yourself and your bidding under control. If you're going to be a responsible bidder, take the time to set a bidding limit before you start. Decide how much you'll pay and how many bids you'll use in advance, and don't go over it. Don't be afraid to lose that item, either. Remember, there will probably be another option later. It's okay to be disappointed if you lose, but don't get in too deep! Take the time to check out what you're buying before you place that bid - many cases of fraud and poor quality happen because bidder jump at what looks like a bargain. Scam artists often put up fake items at what appears to be a bargain. This brings in lots of buyers, but no one gets what they want. If you see a bid that looks way too low, you might be looking at a fake listing. Some sellers will even use bait and switch tactics - putting up a picture of the real thing, but sending you a fake. Handbags, couture sewing, watches, and electronics are often subject to this kind of fraud. If you're suspicious, research the person selling the items before you make the bid. Check out the feedback, especially negative feedback. If a lot of people have the same thing to say, there may be a problem. Positive feedback may not be as reliable. Some sellers pay people to pad their feedback records. It's smarter to see what problems people had and decide the odds of your having to deal with the same issue. Make sure you know what you'll pay for shipping and handling, too. Some sellers make a lot by padding their fees. Always use secure payment for online auctions, too. Don't take your transaction outside the site, since you'll lose the auction site's guarantees. Pay by credit card, PayPal, or a similar service to allow you to track your payments. A personal check or money order is harder to rescind if you're ripped off. Make sure you're safe and you know what you're bidding on, and you'll have a better time getting the items you've been looking for.
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