{Shopping} Guide: How to Shop on eBay

I'll admit it - I ♥ eBay.  It is a gigantic, somewhat scary universe of shopping possibilities but once you get the hang of it, can bring forth real gems at fabulous prices.

Is is the internet's top auction site (well at least in the US and parts of Europe).  The key here is the sheer volume of sellers and items available.  I've come up with a set of guidelines that has helped shopping on eBay a little easier for me.

1. Buy only authentic items
Of course you need to be careful that the seller is reputable and the item is authentic.  Check both the seller's feedback and try to check the authenticity of the item independently as well.  I have used Purse Forum for checking against a Prada bag to a Hermes scarf (its users will use their own knowledge to verify authenticity).  Putting aside the politics of purchasing fake goods, you also don't want to pay top dollar for what you thought was real and is actually an item that is a (sometimes even well-made) imitation.

Love vintage Hermes scarves (Bluefly is another great source!)

2. Be patient and use saved searches
You can find many coveted items as well as items for a discount.  Some items may pop up right away while you may have to wait for other items.  Try my tips for creating a saved search so you receive e-mails whenever an item is listed that matches your search.  Remember my veil?  Yep, I got the silk tulle for $50 from eBay (it's usually more than twice that amount in any store) when I saw it pop up in a saved search.  Keep searching and you may find exactly what you've wanted for less!

3. Use broad search terms.

If you are looking for a very specific item, e.g. I was looking for the Alexander McQueen studded skull pump, you may want to go to a broader search if you can't initially find the item.  Use advanced search and use the other criteria that fit for you - you may need to check the box for Search including "Title and Description".  Or you may just search for the brand itself and put in variations of your search term (shoes or heels instead of pumps).  You can save all of these searches.

Alexander McQueen skull pump - sigh, waiting for a pair to pop up in my size!

4. Get to know a seller

If you've bought an item from a seller and like her service or selection, save the seller to your favorite sellers list (when you are looking at an item's page, go to the upper right corner of the page and press "Save seller" link).  You can get an option to receive e-mail updates from your favorite sellers (several sellers are usually presented in one e-mail from eBay).   I've also gotten to know sellers and had the inside scoop on when items are being listed so I know when to bid.

5. Know what to bid and when to walk away

It's natural to get caught up in the excitement of bidding in the final few minutes of an auction.  Resist the urge and come up with your own maximum price prior to the auction end.  Use a bidding tool like biddingscheduler.com to do the bidding for you.  I've used this successfully for many auctions (with one or two misses as well).  But it has allowed me to enter an early bid amount but let the tool bid for me in the final moments of an auction - it's the best of bidding at the end and setting your limits!  The application also e-mails you if your bid is surpassed so you can adjust it if you'd like.