You’ve heard it before, and it undoubtedly runs through your head when you’re looking at certain auctions: if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Now, there are certainly more exceptions to this rule on eBay than at most other places, mostly due to sellers who don’t know what they’re selling or don’t do a good job of constructing the auction. (In fact, I’ve gotten some great deals — even to the point of effectively getting stuff for free — simply by being more knowledgeable than the seller.) Nonetheless, don’t let your desire for a deal cloud your better judgment.
The photo can be a dead giveaway, both to a dishonest seller and to an inexperienced seller who simply doesn’t know any better. If the photo appears to be intentionally blurry, doctored, or simply doesn’t match the item described in the auction (or other photos of the same item), it should be your first clue that something’s fishy. Check out some of the seller’s other auctions (both past and present) and look for patterns (or lack thereof); for example, do all the photos have the same background? If they don’t, the seller may have snatched them from other auctions or web sites. This can either mean that they’re selling something they don’t have, or merely that they’re lazy.
So how do you tell the difference between someone who is trying to rip you off and someone who simply hasn’t taken the time to construct a proper auction? Assuming there’s still some time left before the auction closes, ask the seller a question. Specific questions, such as those that inquire about an item’s dimensions or whether or not it comes with a particular accessory, are good ways to determine whether or not the item described is actually the item you’ll receive. – by David Karp
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