Click here to read Part I of this article.

More Searching Options

eBay offers a variety of ways to narrow down searches and order your search results. Experiment with the different parameters by clicking on the column headings and other links above the results listing. You'll see you can sort by price, time left in the auction, and whether the seller accepts PayPal (eBay now owns PayPal). If you click on "Picture Gallery" you can see a gallery version of only the items with gallery pictures. (Sellers pay slightly more to have their images in the gallery.)

On the left side of the page, under "Matching Categories," you can narrow your search to results that fall within those specific categories. Beneath that, under "Search Options," you can apply various parameters and even create a price range for the results you would like to see.

Once you've identified a search that you'd like to easily repeat from time to time, you can "save" it for future use. First, run your search. After the results have appeared, click on the link which reads "Add to Favorites" in the upper right corner of the results. This will add those search parameters to your "Favorite Searches," accessible through your "My eBay" page. (The "My eBay" page is a centralized place where you can view items on your Watch List, items you're won, items you're bidding on, Favorite Searches, Favorite Sellers, Favorite Categories, and Favorites Stores. You can also keep track of whether you've left feedback for a seller after a transaction is complete.)

Want it Now

eBay's "Want it Now" [offsite link] is a new service that allows potential buyers to post "wish lists" of items they're looking for on eBay. Want it Now is free to use. Once you post your wish, sellers may "Respond" by posting links to their auction or store items that match what you're looking for. Since this is a newer service, it may take a little while to take off. But if you're having trouble finding exactly what you want, why not give it a try?

Handling Disputes

Most transactions on eBay go smoothly and without problems. But the truth is, you never really know who you're dealing with on eBay (since just about anyone can use it), and you may at some point run into a dispute. There are some basic procedures for handling them. The amount of effort you decide to put into a dispute may depend on the value of the item and how much you paid for it.

eBay offers lots of useful information on handling disputes with sellers. Certainly eBay wants to keep only honest sellers on board, to guard its reputation. Visit the Buyer Protection Program [offsite link] for help.

Regardless of the type of dispute, you should not leave negative feedback for a seller unless you have exhausted all reasonable attempts to communicate with them and work out the problem. Negative feedback generally cannot be removed or "taken back," and once you leave it, you have removed that little bit of extra leverage you had. Which brings up an important point: Never leave any feedback until you have actually received the item you won.

A Note About Handcrafted Jewelry on eBay

I want to complete this article by mentioning that there really are some amazing deals on handmade fashion jewelry on eBay these days. Many of us jewelry designers have stopped selling on eBay because the selling prices are so low, but newer designers and designers with samples or clearance items sell on eBay regularly. I believe the steals and deals for handmade jewelry are the result of shoppers being unfamiliar with the eBay format, afraid of possible fraud, unsure about how to find worthwhile jewelry on eBay, or simply being unaware of the deals available there.

I hope this article helps to explain the eBay format and how to find jewelry on eBay, and how you can protect yourself from disappointment and potential fraud. Please write me with you comments, questions, and stories of your experiences buying - or not buying - jewelry on eBay, or post them in the forum.

The links in this article labeled [offsite link] are to websites not associated with BellaOnline.com. BellaOnline.com is not responsible for the material found there.