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About eBay
eBay is a multinational e-commerce company that connects millions of buyers and sellers around the world. Unlike a traditional retailer, eBay operates as a vast online marketplace where you can find new, used, and refurbished items. The platform is famous for its auction-style listings, which allow buyers to bid on unique and rare items, as well as its "Buy It Now" feature for instant purchases. From collectibles and electronics to fashion and home goods, eBay provides a platform for a huge variety of products and an opportunity to find great deals.
What Are the Best Ways to Save at eBay?
- Watch Items and Wait for an Offer: When you add an item to your "Watchlist," sellers are often notified and can send you a private discount offer to encourage a purchase. It's a great, low-effort way to save money.
- Make an Offer: Many listings have a "Make an Offer" button. If you're comfortable with a little negotiation, you can propose a lower price to the seller. Just be reasonable—a seller may get frustrated by a very low offer.
- Look for Coupons and Promotions: eBay regularly releases coupon codes that can be applied at checkout for a percentage or dollar amount off your purchase.5 You can find these on eBay's coupon page, in their emails, or on various coupon websites.
- Shop Flash Deals and Sales: eBay frequently runs "Flash Deals" with deep discounts on a limited number of items for a short period. Check the main page and sales sections to find these time-sensitive offers.
eBay Sales and Seasonal Discounts
eBay offers a variety of sales events throughout the year.
- Black Friday and Cyber Monday: These are major events at eBay, with sellers offering significant discounts on a wide range of popular products, particularly in the electronics and collectibles categories.
- Daily Deals and Promotions: eBay's "Deals" section is updated daily with new discounts across various categories, so it's a good idea to check back often to see what's on sale.
- Seasonal Sales: The platform runs sales for holidays and seasonal events, such as Back-to-School, with deals on laptops and other tech, as well as sales for summer and winter seasons.
eBay Services and Policies
- Shipping & Delivery: Shipping costs and options vary widely on eBay, as they are set by the individual sellers. Many sellers offer free shipping, which is usually noted on the listing.
- Return Policy: Return policies are also set by the seller, but eBay's Money Back Guarantee provides protection for most purchases. This guarantee ensures that if an item doesn't arrive, is faulty, or doesn't match the listing description, you can get your money back.
- Authenticity Guarantee: For high-value items like luxury watches, sneakers, and trading cards, eBay offers an Authenticity Guarantee. An expert authenticator first inspects the item to ensure it is genuine before it is shipped to you, giving you peace of mind.
eBay Memberships and Credit Cards
- eBay Mastercard: Issued by Synchrony Bank, this credit card allows you to earn points on your purchases on and off the platform. You can redeem these points for future purchases on eBay.
- eBay Bucks: This is a rewards program where you earn "eBay Bucks" on qualifying purchases. These can be redeemed as a discount on a future purchase.
Buy Now, Pay Later
eBay partners with several third-party services to allow customers to pay for purchases over time. You can use services like Klarna to split your purchase into several interest-free installments. The available options may vary based on the item and your credit eligibility.
eBay Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to buy on eBay?
Yes, eBay has several protections in place, most notably the Money Back Guarantee, to protect buyers from fraudulent sellers or items that aren't as described.
What's the difference between an auction and "Buy It Now"?
An auction is a bidding process where the item goes to the highest bidder at the end of the listing period. "Buy It Now" is a fixed-price listing that allows you to purchase the item immediately without bidding.
Does eBay sell new items?
Yes, while known for used goods and collectibles, many sellers on eBay are retailers who sell brand-new, in-box items, often at a discount.
