This article is geared towards Buyers. There is also a Seller version of this article. If you tend to buy and sell at Online Auctions, you may want to read both articles.
Bidders can be lose money in a number of ways. For instance:
- Merchandise can be damaged during shipment.
- Merchandise can be lost during shipment.
- Merchandise can be defective.
- Merchandise can arrive not in the condition represented in the auction.
- Merchandise can be substituted without prior notification/approval.
- Merchandise is never shipped.
? Check out the seller before you bid. As always if you find this article informative, please email it to someone else who would benefit from it. Don't forget to sign up below for our Online Auctions Newsletter that is packed with Online Auction tips and advice. Also, visit our Online Auctions forum and share your online auction story!
? Be sure to get the name and contact information of the person you are doing business with.
? Ask about delivery and returns BEFORE you bid.
? Try to pay by credit card. If you are frauded, you have a better chance of recovering your money if you paid with credit. NEVER pay with cash.
? Look into using an escrow service, especially for auctions involving high amounts of money.
? Report suspected fraud to Law Enforcement. You can call the National Internet Fraud Watch at 1-800-876-7060.
