Tips for Internet Auctions
After a bargain on
the net? Fancy buying from an auction site to save some cash?
Internet auctions can be a great way to get stuff cheap but be
aware - they can be mis-used...
ebay - the UK's largest Internet
auction site.
Read their Help section for more
information.
Know the
rules
Read the
sites
terms and
conditions
carefully and understand the sites policy about buying or
selling.
REMEMBER
these sites aren’t an actual auction house, they’re just a place
for people to sell and buy things.
Know the
seller
Check the
seller’s
feedback
before bidding.
Know the
product
Check out
the item's condition and
ask to see a
photo
before you buy. Do not be scared to
ask
questions;
they’re trying to make money from the product and so will do
anything to help.
Pyramid
Schemes
Often people
offered to
sell
information
on how to get something cheap are involved in scams.
Beware
that these can leave you not getting anything for your money.
Payment
Options
Check the
postage costs
and
how you can pay
before bidding. Some items will charge extra delivery costs and some may
be too big to deliver and so will need to be picked up.
Credit
Cards
Never give this info out!
If this
information gets into the wrong hands it can be used to withdraw
money from your account.
Keep
records
Make a
record of
all your purchases.
Most sites will email you these details so
print them out and
keep them safe.
If you don't and something goes wrong, it can be hard to get
your money backBeware
of too good to be true offers
Most of the
offers that sound too good to be true,
normally are
too good to be true and end up being scams.
These sites are
like car boot sales, only you don't get the chance to se the
item before you buy.
Do not
panic
If things go
wrong
don’t panic,
there could be a problem with the post office or it could not be
send out yet.
If you are
sure you have been victim of fraud then contact Trading
Standards.
So remember…
·
Get
to know the terms and conditions of the website
·
Check
the sellers feedback before bidding
·
Ask
as many questions as necessary so you know what you’re buying
·
Don’t
be fooled into buying information on how to buy stuff cheap
·
Check
the postage cost and how you can pay
·
Don’t
give out credit card details by email
·
Keep
records of all your purchases
·
Beware of too good to be true offers
·
Don’t
panic if things go wrong, contact Trading Standards if you need
help.
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